“Voice Catcher” was launched at the Actors Centre, Covent Garden on Tuesday 2nd June. It was a splendid venue for introducing the Anthology and a cool haven on a hot day.
A range of visitors received three welcomes:
- by Yvonne Morley who had booked the venue. She was the Director of the gifted team of young professional actors (see pictures) who performed a representative selection from the striking pieces in “Voice Catcher”.
- by Roz Comins who introduced key facts about the VCN.
- by Heather Kay, Editor, who spoke of her involvement with poetry and the anthology before leading us into the performance by speaking, with some the actors, selected lines on the voice by Carol Ann Duffy.
The fine programme of readings glimpsed at VCN’s hoard of multicultural, humorous, emotional, reflective and philosophical writings in Voice Catcher.
The very warm response to this lively and enjoyable evening was reflected in one of the letters of thanks. “It was a splendid opportunity ...to hear verse spoken with such skill and enthusiasm”.
The performance took place after the buffet and drinks and a good deal of satisfying networking by our guests who included Lesley Mathieson, Stephanie Martin, two senior speech and language therapists and BVA members: Philippa Ritchie, BBC: Sarah Lenton, Royal Opera House: Peter Kay, Former Children’s Advisor, English National Opera voice coaches Jane Boston, Charmian Hoare and Barbara Houseman: author Cicely Herbert (“Herb the Superb”): Alan Lyne Former Editor of Voice Matters (and proof-reader Voice Catcher): and amongst many others were VCN trustees, members with their partners plus Jeremy Stoke, VCN Chairman of Trustees, who manned, managed and manhandled the VCN display and bookstall!
There were many we invited who were unable to come, but we made sure the invitations included some of the voices from “Voice Catcher”:
"... don't look at me in that tone of voice, it tastes a funny colour
... words bully me
... my larynx lay in dry dock
... welcoming me / with a seagull's voice
... when she asks for the sugar the teacups tremble
... languages I try to touch / as if my tongue is a fingertip
... words ...can renew our tongue, / flesh out our feelings, make us apt for life.
... O what is it in me that makes me tremble so at voices?
... Surely whoever speaks to me in the right voice, him or her shall I follow..."
“Voice Catcher” is being snapped up by those who see or hear it. As a former Head of English remarked : ‘Teachers and lecturers of English, Drama and Voice, and others will want it, but they need to know it has been published’.
So, VCN members, carry a copy with you, let people know about it!
Roz Comins
To buy a copy of “Voice Catcher”, please visit our publications page.