Edinburgh – Mxcellany – Poetry, Music, Art

Don’t Call It A Comeback (or do, I can’t really stop you).

So this is the first real Fringe I’ve done anything in since 2019, and it has been a festival of weird accidents from start to finish.

It started end of July when I broke my leg, and I genuinely thought I’d have to pull out of the festival. I did not. I kept to the show I had commited to, where I thought I’d just be a stage manager and just occasional have to awkwardly appear on stage every now and then.

Instead, I have ended up being a performer and stage manager, all on crutches, doing quick quips and CLOWNING of all damn things. The last 2-3 nights, that show has ended up with 30+ audience members chanting my name, and being recognised in the street and being heckled by audience members who have seen the show before. Tonight during that show, I led the entire audience in karaoke version of I Believe In A Thing Called Love. You had to be there.

Then earlier today, I got a message asking if I’d like to cover a show for the week as the original host had to pull out. Its supposed to be a showcase of spoken word/mixed bill sort of thing. I’ve done those shows before. Sure, I’ll run a week long show for the Free Fringe with 8 hours notice! What could go wrong?

It was short notice and no other acts turned up. But the audience did.

So I downloaded the poems from my old Edinburgh Horror Show, and accidentally did my first ever solo Fringe show. I’ve not done a solo show since coming out as trans, I’ve done a couple of variety nights but never a solo show. And honestly, I never thought I’d do another solo show again because of transitioning because of a fear of judgement/persecution/transphobic arseholery.

But tonight I did it, I did a full show an audience of 6 complete strangers. They actually loved it. People willingly put money in the bucket for a poetry show that no one knew anything about, 2 people cried (which is my personal hallmark of victory to make at least one person cry). I felt confident, in control, and felt like my most complete self for the first time ever.

(Also, technically that show was so last minute that there were no posters or flyers for the show, and I live local, so therefore have no overheads and have technically made a profit at the Fringe which is absolutely bizarre and hilarious).

Anyway, come along to Banshee Labyrinth at 8.15pm for the mysterious PBH Spoken Word Showcase where I have no idea what’s going to happen on until the moment the show starts and then come see The Ritual at 9.30pm in the same room for Extra Emilie in your life.

NaPoWriMo Day 21

(Yes, I’m a day behind again, leave me alone. For context, today’s poem is based on a genuine quote I heard when trying to milk in my city and features a LOT of slang/Scottishisms)

Dinnae buy almond milk,
It tastes like garden gnomes.
Coo isnae short for cashew, ken?
Cashew is just a noise rich folk make when they sneeze.
And I dinnae ken wit soya is,
Soya is wit I did yesterday when I was round yer hoose.

You cannae tell me that ye cannae milk a nut,
’cause that’s what yer ma wis daein’ last night.

© Emilie C Black, 2020

NaPoWriMo Day 10

I walk these cobbled closes
And pathways paved with memories
That wear down with every step,

Pacing day after day,
Trying to remember and forget
The stories that haunt these streets.

I curse the ground beneath my feet
I curse the will that keeps me walking
Through constant pain.

I struggle to hear myself talking
And curse the rain and its echoes
That sound like mocking applause.

I think back to everyone I’ve lost
And finally accept
I’m not cut out to be a tour guide.

So, something special happened…

So, back in January, I did a bit of a performance thing with a night called “From The Horse’s Mouth” based out of Summerhall in Edinburgh. After a couple of drinks and friendly chats with the people behind the night, I discovered that they really liked one particular poem I had performed and now, they’ve only gone and published it on their website!

It’s a wonderful, tingly feeling! I’m hoping this is part of a shiny, new, upward direction for this whole poetry thing. They’ve also done some some lovely audio recordings, including a poem which might be the first poem I do a video recording of (because it’s one of the two poem’s I’ve memorised. The other poem I’ve memorised is called “Amnesia” and the irony is not lost on me.) But please check them out, there’s also a fantastic poem by my new favourite poet, Amelia Watson, who is pretty damn fantastic and definitely one to watch!

Check it all out!

Upcoming Show: We All Have Fears!

So I’ve been quiet on here for the last little while, but it’s all been for a good reason, I swear!

It’s because I’ve been working on my first ever full-length, solo show, which debuts at the Edinburgh Horror Festival this Friday! Banshee Labyrinth at 6.00pm!

I’m scared and excited for this! A mix of some old and new material all neatly packaged in a strange little box. I have no idea how well this is going to go, but I’ll definitely be keeping you all posted! Who knows, I might even create a nice little book from this, or post up a video or poem or two!