Review of Roisin Murray's 'As Time Goes By'

It was another crowded night at the Undercroft, which was particularly pleasing considering that the last meet was only two weeks ago and I put on an extra one off performance of Dame Fortunes Wheel only a few weeks before that.

Clearly there were many looking forward to hearing our first guest teller, Roisin Murray as there was a hushed silence yet also a papable excitement  and heightened anticipation that we regulars rarely enjoy! Probably because Roisin sat silently, yet owning the space even before I finally got round to introducing her. She was an island of calm that belied the intensity of her first story of the death of Beowulf - A tale that just suddenly appeared before us having grown seamlessly out of her introduction to George; a man wrestling with retirement and the onset of old age. I truly felt for George, although we didn't have time to dwell upon his fears as we like George were time and again transported to other times and places, culminating in the story of Baucis and Philemon  and the last flowering of their  lifelong love and companionship. All of which proved to George and indeed all of us in the Undercroft that regardless of what the young might think, life does not end at 30!

 

Roisin in full flow

Apologies for the grainy image, but what can you do?

Roisin told with passion, but with a mischievous glint in her eye and many fabulous asides that kept her connected with the audience. A warm and generous teller with a great sense of irreverence that I and everyone else really enjoyed. As one audience member wrote in the all new Undercroft Comments Book: Roisin's stories were amazing. Full of humour and very human. A true study of emotion, wonder and humanity. I was spellbound throughout.

Roisin was followed by tales from the floor with her husband Wallace stepping in to fill the gap of a few missing regulars and he too told a very moving story that made for another well needed island of calm in a second half made up of many a silly tale. Something the Undercroft does well.

Our next gathering is on June 6th and the theme is Magick and Mysterie. A good loose theme, because as always it means tellers can take their stories here, there and anywhere else for that matter. As usual we meet at 7.30 for and 8.00 start, so be on time  or Jim will have your guts for garters

Dave Tonge - The Yarnsmith