I rang Miriam, Peachy’s P.A.
“Is he there?”
“Say I’m not there,” I distinctly heard him say.
“Miriam, I distinctly heard him say I am not there,” I said.
“No, he didn’t say that,” Miriam said.
“So what did he say?” I said.
“He is not there,” said Miriam.
“Well exactly. That, Miriam, is what I heard him say.”
“When?” Miriam asked.
“Just now. When he said it,” I replied.
“I think you may be mistaken,” ventured Miriam.
“I know my own mind,” I reminded her.
“How?” she enquired.
“Insofar as we do, Miriam,” I riposted, hoping that my faint irritation had not been apparent to the resourceful P.A. of the text and image entertainment.
I could understand Miriam’s dilemma – Peachy, an evening raised by wolves, content to scratch in dirt and gnaw on refuse, to walk on all fours howling in the pitiless forests of Epping and the blank, silent dormitories of Loughton, to sniff at the legs of whomsoever held his intermittent, febrile attention, to evacuate on a whim or scrubland, compelled her to live wheresoever he might lay his cape for the night.
Currently they were here somewhere:
Next week though they’ll be in Toynbee Studios where I totally control Peachy and make him do this:
David Gale’s Peachy Coochy Nites
The projector projects 20 images for precisely 20 seconds each. The Coocheur (or Presenter) speaks for precisely twenty seconds per image. Randomness is discouraged but narrative linearity is not automatically esteemed.
David Gale, having launched a nationwide performance must-have, continues to curate this series of Peachy Coochy events at ArtsAdmin’s stylish yet reassuring Bar. Each event features six Coocheurs, or Presenters, drawn from many walks of life. Each Coocheur will compose a verbal response to 20 images of their choice. Each presentation lasts 6 minutes and 40 seconds. There will be gaps between presentations for drinking and light conversation.
David, something of a Black Belt in these matters, will both compere and present the chippings that may not be reverse engineered towards an originating block.
An enthusiast has written:
“It is not at all bad.”
(Clive 9/11/09)
Peachy Coochy Nites subscribes to the the National Belief System and is therefore committed to the provision of a wide range of contributors such as the wrangler, the wrestler, the trainer, the page, the maid, the surfer, the beachcomber, the collector, she who maintains a corral, he who mends fences, they who do windows.
The next Peachy Coochy Nite will be held, as usual, in the Bar at Toynbee Studios on Thursday November 26th at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5.00. Booking advised but walk up welcome.
more details here:
http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/projects/project.php?id=211
and a map here:
http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/contacts/
The Guardian catches some cooch:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2008/nov/17/theatre-peachy-coochy-performance-art
Some of you, pleased by the Nite, may wish to compose your own presentations. See me afterwards.
The Nites will run on the last Thursday of each month. You will be notified.
all the best
David