Craig Hanlon-Smith chats with Damian Barr about Outsider Memoirs with Tracey Thorn and Dustin Lance Black at the Theatre Royal, Brighton.
DAMIAN Barr’s Literary Salon has been sharing authors and their stories with audiences for more than ten years.
Starting out in Shoreditch House in 2008 their main place of residence now is the Savoy Hotel which has a fine history of hosting the literati including Oscar Wilde who both lived and partied there. As a Brighton resident, Damian has often brought his caravan of collected works to the shore and returns again on Sunday June 23 at the Theatre Royal Brighton.
Damian and I catch up just before he boards a train to Bath to begin a promotional tour for his latest novel.
I begin by asking Damian how important the venue is for the events he hosts? “The venue is crucial. When we started I wanted an event that was an enjoyable as reading a book. So many literary evening and such can be stuffy and a little worthy so it was important for us to choose venues that felt like social spaces. There is no pressure to buy books at our events it is all about the conversation on the stage. But, at the same time we want spaces that are buzzy and exciting and we’ve been fortunate. Ballrooms, clubs, theatres social spaces but also in most cases magnificent and beautiful. There’s something about the venue choices that helps people who come to be quiet and respectful when the authors are sharing their lives and stories”.
Having hosted guests that include Armistead Maupin, John Waters, David Mitchell and Diana Athill to name a handful I ask who his highlights have been over the past few years: “There have been so many memorable moments with so many authors although those times I have been reduced to crying on stage stay with me, such as when Jojo Moyes introduced Me Before You But also particular events such as arguing on stage in Moscow about freedom of speech which when I think back on it….”
He is momentarily quiet a trait he does not demonstrate again “and when we were in Istanbul there were actual riots happening outside which were about freedom of speech. It was bizarre and exciting at the same time. I ask if there are any writers he would like to bag for the salon, “WE WERE SO CLOSE” he bounces excitedly “to getting Michelle Obama! I mean so so close which would have been amazing. Maya Angelou of course, Alice Walker would have been dreams and joys. I would love to interview David Cameron so that I could give him a really hard time. And Jan Morris, it is essential to listen to older voices and I think that older writers are often so overlooked. She is a trans pioneer I would love to speak to her in the salon.”
The salon showcases emerging talents amongst established names and as Damian is in the process of promoting his own latest novel I wonder how meeting these authors influences Damian’s own writing: “Oh it’s like being on an eternal creative writing course but without ever having to go to class” he laughs “I just listen to what they say, I’m interested in their editing processes as much as anything and often I will hear them talk about their creative journeys and suddenly think to myself ‘oh…. That [point] solves a problem. As a rule I only choose books for the salon that I love which helps the people who come but also me”.
On Sunday June 23, Damian Barr’s Literary Salon welcomes Tracy Thorn and Dustin Lance Black and I ask why these two and why together: “These are two people outside conventional culture and I want to explore with them what it means to feel like you are constantly on the fringes, they are outsiders but also incredibly established too. I want to know what struggles they face and to hear the voices of minority status people. And I think Brighton is an ideal venue for this as we all share core values.”
I ask Damian why he thinks Dustin Lance-Black and his husband Tom Daley receive such online vitriol from gay men. “You know what you don’t get a free ride for being queer but we do spend too much time focusing upon peoples imperfections. Dustin has been inspired but has also inspired a great deal of…. You know what? I might even ask him that question when we meet”.
Damian Barr’s Literary Salon comes to the Theatre Royal, Brighton on Sunday June 23, doors 6:30pm.
Damian’s latest novel You Will Be Safe Here and his coming of age memoir Maggie and Me are available from all usual outlets.
Event: Outsider Memoirs: Tracey Thorn & Dustin Lance Black
Where: Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton
When: Sunday, June 23, 2019
Time: 7pm
Cost: Tickets from £20 – students £18
To book tickets online, click here:
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