What does Hay Festival Global mean to you?
Hay Festival Global is medicinal. It’s healing. It reframes our thoughts. Our mindset. It leaves us open to more. It is an experience that we don’t really get elsewhere, not in this particular way. So many wonderful talks. It is a wealth of untapped knowledge waiting for ears to listen and minds to ruminate.
What’s your favourite Festival memory?
My favourite Hay Festival memory (aside from performing for “The Platform” which was MAGICAL) was meeting Tanya, Mindy and Noelle. I think a big part of why I do this is to meet like-minded people and listen, share stories and form connections. They had been to Hay for a few years and were the loveliest people I met there. They were incredibly friendly, kind human beings and I hope our paths cross again. The memory of our chats around the campfire is something I will always remember. I hope you’re all doing well and come to one of my shows sometime.
Have you ever changed your mind on something having been to a Hay Festival event?
I think it’s not necessarily my mind being changed, more so opened to new things. New ways of thinking. For example, Sir Wayne McGregor’s talk on “unlocking our physical intelligence” was incredibly thought-provoking and made me think of different ways my physical self interacts with the world. Our shifting states of presence are a part of our kinospheres, which are constantly ebbing and flowing across all interactions and movements. It is now something I am further thinking about when implementing more movement-based work in my sets.
Who was the best speaker or performer you saw on a Hay Festival stage?
I want to say every single one because of how much I learnt and took notes from, but if I HAD to choose - Kae Tempest. I think the way in which Kae is able to simplify his craft and give us the most important and meaningful reflections - in the most succinct manner - is what makes him an amazing speaker and artist.
Key quotes and takeaways for me are:
Just because a person isn’t decent to me, doesn’t mean they’re decent to someone
Write what you can’t bear to admit - Ted Hughes
And my personal favourite: “until its dead, it’s a dead tree” - Kae’s publisher:
the difference between something you’re working on and something finished is a DEADLINE
What advice do you have for a first-timer at the Festival?
Go to as many talks and events as you can. Make an itinerary beforehand so you roughly know what you are doing. Trust me. It helps. And if you’re a performer make use of the Green Room. I had the pleasure of chatting with the likes of Ocean Vuong, who I am a massive fan of. Where else do we get these opportunities? Being in the vicinity of the likes of Mary Berry. Greg Davies. Kae Tempest. Take it all in. It’s enriching and inspiring to realise we are all normal people trying to do the right things.
Sum up Hay Festival Global in five words or less…
A window of learning (and) opportunity.