February 2005
The Blue Room was delighted to welcome Julia Darling in February. Julia read from her new collection of poetry Apology for Absence. She was supported by three other writers: Helen Burke, Paula Cunningham and Tess Hudson.
Julia Darling is a well loved and highly respected writer based in the North East. She is a novelist, dramatist and poet and is currently working on a musical with Northern Stage called A Manifesto for a New City. Julia's work is broadcast on Radio 4 (catch her story The Debatable Lands on January 21st) and has been performed at the Live Theatre in Newcastle. Her work is also an integral part of the region she lives in and loves. Her poetry is engraved on benches in Newcastle City Centre (Nine things to do on a bench) and can be found on postcards at the Rendezvous Café at Whitley Bay.
In 2003 Julia won the Northern Rock Foundation Writer's Award. The award has given her more time and space in her life. In particular Julia has published two collections of poetry with ARC Publications since winning the award. Her latest collection Apology for Absence was launched at the Hatton Gallery last month; it was a rich evening with standing room only for many attendees. Julia is currently a Fellow in the School of English at Newcastle University where she thrives in a department containing writers such as Margaret Wilkinson, Bill Herbert and Jackie Kay.
Julia's published novels are Crocodile Soup and The Taxi Driver's Daughter and her first collection of poetry is Sudden Collapses in Public Places (a Poetry Book Society recommendation). Julia is working on her third novel which will be published by Penguin.
To read about a writer's life in Julia's own wise and lively words, go to Julia Darling in Person.
Our other readers for the Blue Room February meeting were Helen Burke, Paula Cunningham and Tess Hudson and we were delighted to welcome them.
Helen Burke read from her poetry. She has been writing poetry for 15 years and has been widely published in magazines and a number of anthologies. Her work has been described as quirky, surreal, humorous and entertaining. She has read in York, Beverley, Hull, Ilkley, Manchester and Lincoln and has given readings at various literature festivals. She recently set up a regular poetry and music event in York.
Paula Cunningham read prose. She was born in Omagh and has spent much of her adult life living in Belfast where she worked part-time as a dentist. She is currently living in Newcastle, writing full-time and taking an M.A. at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. She has written for radio and stage and her poems have been widely published in magazines and anthologies.
Paula's publications include a poetry chapbook A Dog called Chance, a selection of poems in Bloodaxe's The New Irish Poets (September 2004), and a short story in The New Faber Anthology of Irish Short Stories (due in March 2005).
Tess Hudson also read prose. She lives in Newcastle, has been writing for some years and has had considerable success.
Her competition achievements include winning Write Time 1998 (a competition organised by Women In Film and Television) and being a prize winner in the plays section (2000) and a runner up in the children's story section (2002) of Waterstone's London Writers' Competition. Tess has written sketches for Smack the Pony (including the first sketch of the series) and for Radio 4's So What if I am?, Yes Sir I Can Boogie and The A-Z Show. She is developing a soap story line for children's television (Carlton Television), is a development writer for Sunshine Project (Alomo Productions) and her treatment for television series Green Acres has been optioned by Pearson Television. Tess has also written stage plays for community and youth groups.
Plus: the joyous Steve Jinski's 3 piece band, previewing new songs in their first live session in two years - a strongly melodic set with thoughtful, provocative lyrics and infectious tunes.
In Tribute to Julia Darling
The Blue Room would like to pay tribute to Julia, who died on Wednesday 13th April 2005.
We are grateful for the wonderful readings she gave at the Blue Room, and for all the ways in which she supported us, often as part of our audience.
Julia was a writer dedicated to her craft, and it showed. We were fortunate enough to share in one of her most recent poetry readings, when, despite her failing health, she kindly agreed to appear for us in February of this year. Julia's presence at any event invariably ensured a large, appreciative audience, and her final Blue Room night was no exception. She took her art seriously, but never herself. Always full of warmth and humour, she gave everyone who was in the Bridge Hotel on that occasion an evening to remember and to cherish.
Julia Darling was a beautiful and gifted human being, with huge talent. Those of us lucky enough to have known her will be eternally thankful. She was someone who thoroughly appreciated and celebrated the every day substance of life: the Small Beauties. We will miss her presence, but will carry her inspiration far into the future. Small Beauty that she herself was.
