She grew up in Western Sydney before calling Melbourne home in 2008, where she's performed since 2010 around Melbourne's regular spoken word and poetry nights including Passionate Tongues, The Dan Poets, Voices in the Attic and House of Bricks as well as the NGV and White Night. I believe that words are powerful, if you have the right words expressed the right way, you can communicate anything. The festival is a great beginning, it gives the artform a stamp of approval and credibility. When I’ve performed on non-spoken word open mics, I find people pay attention when they hear someone doing something clever with words. 1,000+ people search results for alan pentland . I feel like your performances are powered by a conscious selection of intonation and words. For performance? When I finally retired, I realised that in the intervening years, I was always a writer: comedy writer, technical writer, film, communications expert, copy writing and editor. His work has won awards at three international film festivals. The elegant Alan Pentland meets me at the Melbourne Bar, “Workshop”, to talk about the MSW poetry prize, comedy and the meaning of spoken word. Ultimately you want to reach out to an audience that isn’t poets. So I write to think about these things, and I write to try and appeal to our basic decency and wisdom. People are actually enormously interested in spoken word. I’m really curious about your comedy career, how did that happen? That was a great performance. Written-By – Alan Pentland, Andrew Knight, Brendan Luno*, David Marshall (5), Geoff Brooks, Gordon Badham, Jane Hopkins (2), Jane Turner (2), Kevin Carlin, Magda Szubanski, Marg Downey, Max Dann, Michael Veitch, Peter Moon, Peter Nicholson, Rod Quantock, Steve Blackburn*, Steve Vizard, Tim … Related To Ruby Pentland, Troy Pentland, Donna Pentland. Alan qualified as an architect and became a comedian. You had to make it interesting. I won an award for poetry from school. Slamalamadingdong happens on the last Thursday of every month at 24 Moons, Northcote. The power comes from expressing authenticity and emotion. I think there are new ways to do things and I’d like to explore that. But you have to make yourself a commodity people want, “Hey why don’t you have a spoken word event?” By running a festival, you get these entertainment and art venues to recognise you as a community. After raising our family we moved to the bush. "When were/are they on?" I like listening, I really like the live event. Pentland Hills: Local Attraction - See 166 traveler reviews, 261 candid photos, and great deals for Edinburgh, UK, at Tripadvisor. Comedy. You don’t write in words, you write in syllables. Whether you liked it or not, you needed people you could depend on. It doesn’t have to have a joke every ten seconds, in fact it doesn’t have to contain jokes at all, which appeals to me immensely right now. Alan Pentland On one hand, I think we are so lucky, on the other hand I get depressed about all the contradictions of our situation. When stand up arrived from America, it started to take off because it was much cheaper to put on than the large ensemble pieces in vogue back then. Working with all these diverse people was terrific training as well. It starred several former members of the ABC series The D-Generation such as Magda Szubanski, Marg Downey, Michael Veitch as well as other Melbourne-based comedians such as The Eleventh Hour's Steve Vizard and Peter Moon, and Jane Turner and Gina Riley … But there was always the desire to get a bigger audience, and the only career paths we had was into television. Not many people get such an opportunity. Original Release. As a result, anyone checking out the extended end credits - there are over 40 cast who get an identifying credit - will see many names that later turned up doing stage, stand up or television comedy, including but not limited to Mark Little, Evelyn Krape, Alan Pentland, Jane Clifton, Tony Rickards, and Geoff Brooks. It would also help to get the backing of an officially recognised institution, like the Wheeler’s Centre. I write to perform. How do you think spoken word differs from comedy as an art Form? “Hey, these poets are organised enough to run a festival!”. And I’ve been getting an encouraging response. Mylene is a marriage celebrant with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. There seems to be no prototype to achieve this, right now I’m going to non-poetry gigs and open mics — like music gigs. Magda Szubanski Performer, Written-By. For many years, I also communicated technology ideas to people who in many cases didn’t even want to hear my ideas. From 1850 to the 1890s, comedy was the basis of the most popular entertainment of the time - pantomime, burlesque, vaudeville, musical comedy and circus. It sorts people out: the pressure is so intense there is no allowance for weakness. I like being in a room when there’s something going on. You always had to produce innovative work that caught attention and offered something to everyone. Original Release. It’s funny because it’s ironic. Your online connection to spoken word & poetry in Melbourne. “Race Call,” the piece I did at the MSW Prize is very exciting to perform because it’s technically difficult, a rollercoaster ride for both me and the audience, or a juggling act. Right after this interview, he retreated to his country estate to fix up a problem with a water tank. With your experience in expanding the reach of stand-up comedy, how do you think we do the same thing in spoken word and poetry? Bligh is a comedy series based in colonial times, focusing on the titular character, William Bligh, then Governor of New South Wales. In my humble opinion, there is no theory which has more ramifications for mankind than the theory of evolution. I was aware of the poetry scene in Melbourne in the 70s. There are no upcoming events at this time. Resides in Kokomo, IN. It was all the rage in 1975. You’ve had a pretty amazing career in comedy, featuring in Fast Forward and other iconic comedy shows in Australia. We love the peace and quiet of our home, and love to … Guest speaker/entertainer will be Alan Pentland. So that’s your approach as a writer? Alan,Alan, Alan, Alan, Alan, Ow, Ow, Steve, Steve, Steve...Hey, Hey, Hey... BBC In this light-hearted satire, Alan Fletcher plays cab driver Daniel Folkmover; a gentle bloke with dad jokes aplenty, a heart of gold and a slightly shady operation on the side. Alan Pentland is known for his work on Full Frontal(1993), Bligh(1992) and Get a Life(1997). It was the most high-pressure job I have ever experienced. I only decide to learn something by heart after doing it in front of an audience a few times and deciding it is good enough. Also known as Willia Pentland. That sense of surprise is like quantum mechanics, when a moment shifts somehow to include something from the past, future or something unexpected — a journey through a psychological landscape. next Tuesday at Passionate Tongues Poetry. One word can tip the entire piece, one emphasis can add a whole new level of inflection to it. Mylene – 0419 160 264 Marriage celebrant with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Directed by Leigh Sheehan. Alan – 0409 876 325Once a c… Year: 1989. It’s exciting when a performer takes an audience down a path, then suddenly changes direction. We create institutions that provide governance and moderating influence over our basic nature — but you can never stop being vigilant. But then I studied architecture at uni and got into comedy, which is the kind of thing that seduces you away from all the activities you should be doing in your life. Just look at the first and second world war. I would like to be part of the wisdom that leads it in the good rather than bad direction. It was so funny. But she keeps getting waylaid by strong opinions, her personal cultural context and a genuine fondness for the music of Cold Chisel.The fact she can’t resist the occasional slam just keeps things interesting. I’ve been part of the poetry scene for about two years. There was an occasion I needed to rise to, but the writing actually became hard and I was quite depressed for a month. My involvement has evolved from there. Cast. But it seemed intimidating to me compared to comedy, so the poetry went into abeyance. I experience it like being on the beach and having the wave of poetry wash over me, but once the waves are gone, I don’t know where they were. Also drives the tractor. Individual free speech liberty protected under party or category name for democratic creativity. I was working with some great people, Ernie Carroll (Ozzie ostrich) was such a great guy and mentor, Daryl was such a nice guy too. With the resurgence of our fascination with bogans: 'The bogan in all of us', 'What is a bogan', 'Is 'bogan' an insult any more'?, it's timely to revist the dance moves immortalised and satirised by Magda Szubanski and Alan Pentland as 'Michelle and Ferret' in the TV comedy series Fast Forward in the late 80s. Alan Pentland features next Tuesday at Passionate Tongues Poetry, and as part of the Melbourne Spoken Word & Poetry Festival, featuring at The MSWPF Closing Night with US poet Moody Black, on June 3. Chris Mann was a friend of mine, and he was in the scene with Pio and the likes. Right after this interview, he retreated to his country estate to fix up a problem with a water tank. Australia is a country of climatic and geographic extremes and Australian comedy often manifests itself as a comedy of extremes. Various Characters (89 episodes, 1989-1992) Gina Riley. But when I was forced to retire, I said, “Damn this money thing, I’m going to write what I want to write.” At first it was cathartic, then more of the funny and entertaining pieces emerged because I couldn’t help myself, it’s what I know. A hundred years comedy, circus and the Tivoli - 1850-1960s. Alan Pentland Performer, Written-By. Resides in Spokane, WA. My time working for Darryl Somers on his “Tonight Show”, it was a hot-house of experience. I see that as my differentiator — having this huge range of unique experiences. I developed great respect for brevity. With Ray Barrett, Gus Mercurio, Judy Banks, Esme Melville. Perform a lot and all the time. Host: David Strassman; Gerry Connolly; Gina Riley & Tina Arena; Glenn Robbins & Mary-Anne Fahey; Jane Turner & Peter Moon; Kym Gyngell; Magda Szubanski & Alan Pentland; Marg Downey; Matt Parkinson & Greg Fleet; Nick Giannopoulos & Michael Veitch; Norman Gunston I look at our politics, media and economy. Off-stage she’s vague and freshly introverted.On-stage, she’s the poetical analogue of a heavy metal karaoke. You gotta be prepared to go off script sometimes. We did not like things like swearing, we felt that was getting cheap laughs. We follow Daniel on a night of picking up an illegal fare, and contemplating life, love and human decency. 11/12/1992. I was surprised to have walked away with the prize, there were so many amazing performances! Annie Solah is a writer, poet, spoken word artist, activist and the Director of Melbourne Spoken Word. Fast Forward Take One: Fast Forward Take One ... Stephen Blackburn Composed By, Performer, Written-By. Matt Smith Melbourne Spoken Word to host spoken word festival online in 2020, The 2020 XYZ Prize for Innovation in Spoken Word Winners : Eloise Grills and Jaslyn Robertson, Thabani Tshuma – No Strings (MSW Prize 2019). For someone who’s done a lot of poetry, I don’t find the act of reading poetry on the page to be to be a fruitful experience. We started supporting rock and roll bands, like AC/DC and Little River Band before they got big. In my personal experience, it’s like riding a tiger. For more spoken word videos from performances around Melbourne, subscribe to the channel and please support us by liking and sharing the videos. Alan Pentland has had poetry published poetry at school, is a pioneer of early cabaret and comedy in Melbourne, was a writer/performer on tv comedy Fast Forward, writer of computer manuals, video maker, now writes very short stories… that sometimes rhyme. But I remember the feeling. So after all that wonderful experience, you’ve returned to poetry and spoken word. Alan Pentland ... second unit director (58 episodes, 1994-1996) Rosemary Morton ... first assistant director (57 episodes, 1994-1996) Brian Heard I ran the first stand-up comedy venue in Melbourne in the 70s. This show was and still is the best skit comedy show to be made ever!! Includes Address(5) Phone(1) See Results. One of my most useful experiences was writing radio ads, it requires great discipline, and you learn to tell a story in 24 seconds. I write to work out the contradictions I see in the world and in myself. I don’t bring a poetic or literary background – I’ve decided not to fight it but to work with it. Alan’s father Graham Carr is an associate director for Northampton Town F.C. Congratulations on winning the 2017 MSW Poetry Prize! Alan is incredibly talented and passionate in his creative abilities. The challenge is generating spontaneity when you’re performing something that has been written and rehearsed. What drives you now? William E Pentland. She's released a chapbook, broken bodies, and two spoken word albums, Duel Power with Santo Cazzati and The World Doesn't Make Sense EP. Jane Hopkins (2) Performer, Written-By. He takes his work (of being humorous) very seriously and has been recognised by many in … 04/11/1991. What’s your first love, page or performance poetry? Person. Alan Pentland. All sorts of people would contribute, people you wouldn’t imagine writing poetry. Tracklist . She married in 1974, living with her husband Bill Right from the beginning, I hear it in my head. We’ve got a layer of civilisation that is a thin veneer over our basic brutality. I find the world confounding. From the winner of Slamalamadingdong for March, Alan Penland performs ‘Navigator’ at Slamalamadingdong, March 30, 2017. Name Character Magda Szubanski Various Characters It took me a long time to connect what was coming out of my mouth with what I was hearing in my head, but I’ve gotten better as I’ve gone along. The elegant Alan Pentland meets me at the Melbourne Bar, “Workshop”, to talk about the MSW poetry prize, comedy and the meaning of spoken word. But stand up requires a cast iron soul, so I took a job in television soon after. Just keep performing. Only once in this whole time have I ever had someone read a line that just moved my guts in a real and visceral way. To me performance is part of the writing process. It was something I also really enjoyed. At that point, I’m refining intonation and emphasis. You can find out more about Waffle Irongirl at www.waffleirongirl.com, on Nice To Know We Are Alive: Interview with Alan Pentland, Tenda McFly / A list of things I want to talk about. ), Big Girl's Blouse was made in the mid 90s (?-1995-? Born in Dorset, family favourite Alan Carr moved to Northamptonshire at a young age and grew up here. I know what I’m going to do: use the prize as a leverage to contribute to the community, to others but also to myself. When I started in comedy in the 70s in Melbourne, the scene was non-existent — the opposite of a career choice. When I joined the Fast Forward team it was very professional, a lot of very clever people trying out different things. It got to a stage where I wouldn’t pick up a pen unless someone was paying me. There is so much to be disappointed about, yet I’m aware it has never been a better time to be a human being. Well, we all need that, nice to know that we are alive. The MSWPF Closing Night with US poet Moody Black, The 2020 XYZ Prize for Innovation in Spoken Word Winners : Eloise Grills and Jaslyn Robertson, Deciding where you stand: Interview with Stephanie Dogfoot, Beauty that Happens in the Pause: Interview with Eleanor Jackson, Melbourne Spoken Word to host spoken word festival online in 2020, Thabani Tshuma – No Strings (MSW Prize 2019). After one rehearsal, they turn on a switch and everyone on the Eastern seaboard can see you. A lot of what I see on the scene is driven by vulnerability and emotionality. The level you can improve your performance is infinite, you can never stop getting better. Your online connection to spoken word & poetry in Melbourne, Waffle Irongirl regularly sets out to write poetry in the venerable tradition of Dickenson and Whitman. Still, I feel like there are forces that we will never be in control of. But I’ve started writing and performing again, I’ve got targets to aim for. 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