As my performance begins to take shape I feel it would be beneficial to identify some solo performers who have either inspired my work, or who I have since discovered share interesting parallels with my piece. Therefore, the next few posts will be dedicated to these artists, beginning with Lord Buckley.
Lord Buckley
Richard Myrtle Buckley began performing in Chicago speakeasies and jazz clubs from the late nineteen-twenties. He took on the role of Lord Buckley, an upper-class Englishman “complete with pith helmet and waxed mustache” (Buckley Jr., 2000, 25), and recited his poetry, which would invariably be concerned with religious themes. He is difficult to categorise, for he may be labelled as a Jazz comic, performance poet, or dramatic storyteller, “limited only by the audience’s ability to stay with him” (ibid, 26).
I first became aware of Lord Buckley two years ago, after finding some recordings of his poetry online. The religious themes coupled with his delivery and choice of words, as well as his eccentric persona, made him interesting to me. However, Buckley’s poetry has the adverse effect to mine, “exalt[ing] [religiosity] anew by pouring into them all the enthusiasm and ebullience of his own extravagant temperament” (ibid). To me he seems to (perhaps inadvertently) embody the role of an evangelical preacher, another element which shares a similarity to my show.
Lord Buckley performing The Nazz (Circa 1950)
I would not say Lord Buckley directly inspired my performance, but I am aware of some thematic parallels. However, his enthusiasm and optimism runs counter to the atmosphere of my performance, and is therefore, quite different. Nonetheless, his compelling style and language is an aspect which I hope to replicate.
Works Cited:
Buckley Jr., Richard (2000) Lord Buckley. In: Bonney, J. (ed.) Extreme Exposure: An Anthology of Solo Performance Texts from the Twentieth Century. New York, USA: Theatre Communications Group, 25-33.