Entertainment For Lively Minds
Hannah's True Story Told Live
Tonight, in a room above a pub in Islington, around 70 people - including a small delegation from the Massive - watched Hannah-off-the-Blog speak movingly, frankly, and with supreme courage about her late father. It is perhaps less accurate to say the room was rapt, than quite simply 'charged.' Pins dropped; were unheeded.
It's a jolting thing to appreciate that, in one little pocket of space, designated the status of a Room by the addition of a floor, ceiling and four walls, real live open-heart surgery can be taking place, just feet from the chatter and hubbub of everyday life. Therein lies the power and unique appeal of True Stories Told Live. http://www.truestoriestoldlive.com/
Like all contributors to TSTL, Hannah will have rehearsed her 10-minute talk dozens, perhaps even hundreds of times before finally delivering it to a live audience. A momentous feat in itself, but made considerably more nerve-racking when, as in Hannah's case, you're the final speaker of the night. (One unexpected bonus: previous speaker Jon Ronson effectively becomes your warm-up man.)
However, when the story being related is as heartfelt, affecting and ultimately inspiring as her own, the achievement becomes infinitely greater.
Hannah's bravery tonight, during a difficult year in any case, is not in question. But her eloquence, compassion and humour made a roomful of strangers sit up and see what she's made of; something the Massive already know: she's something quite wonderful. And truly beautiful.
The last this Board member saw of her, she was taking her heels off to sprint 200 yards barefoot down Upper Street to catch the last train.
Hannah: on behalf of all of us, thank you.
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Bravo Hannah
I hope the experience was as rewarding for you as it clearly was for the audience.
Well done
It takes a lot of yourself to stand up in front of strangers and talk. My complete admiration.
I hope tomorrow night goes just as well for you too.
A terrific photo too
it seems by the shadow to the left you were also joined by Rodin's famous sculpture.
Well done, Hannah.
Wish I could've got a ticket, but since that would've meant Joe was there too, it's probably a good thing. You know we can never legislate for Mathsboy's behaviour, the barbarian.
I'm full of admiration.
And from over here
Well done Hannah. Cathartic, I'd imagine ..
I was lucky enough to be there
and Hannah's story was incredibly powerful and moving. I was hugely, hugely proud of her.
Dammit woman, you made me weep openly in front of strangers, and I haven't done that since Mr Drakeygirl trod on my foot in Asda last week.
Bravo.
That's all. But it bears repeating.
BRAVO.
Hannah...........
probably the best speaker in the world.
*stands up and applauds*
Go, girl!
xx
I thought I couldn't admire the woman more
Then she goes and does this.
Proud to be acquainted with you.
Nothing but boundless admiration from this quarter.
Nothing but boundless admiration from this quarter.
And this quarter.
Wonderful
A great thing to do - you lucky London people having an event like this!
Well done, Hannah.
It was a wonderful evening
A life-changing story, beautifully told.
Thank you Hannah x
Very brave indeed
Well done Hannah.
You see, Hannah?
...a legend! I told you so... :-)
(Albeit also looking a bit like Galadriel in that 'All shall love me and DESPAIR!' moment in the Lord Of The Rings films)
For those who missed out
For those who were unable to attend would it be possible to have a brief outline on what Hannah's story was about?
If it isn't really appropriate in the forum arena I fully understand but it would be nice to have a little bit of detail.
Thanks Native for the interest!
If it's ok though, I'd prefer not to give an outline.
Not because I'm ashamed of what I'm talking about, or because it's inappropriate, it's just... oh, it's hard to explain. I can't tell you what the story is without actually telling you the story, if that makes any sense at all.
If anyone asked me what I was talking about before the night, I'd just say "I can't really tell you. But it's not a happy story"
Having said all that, the TSTL people record all the turns, and I've been told I should be able to have a copy. So, if you wanted to actually *hear* it, that's theoretically possible. (Actually, though, I think I need to listen back to it first myself before I decide if that's a good idea or not...)
Hope you understand!
Hxx
No problem
Hey Hannah - no problem. I understand. Well done anyway...
Well done
It takes courage to speak in front of so many, especially on such a difficult subject. I would've liked to hear your story.
I'm sure Dog Faced Boy
will already have Hannah's performance bootlegged and available at the gatherng tomorrow..!
He had burned CD's
10 minutes before she started.
And it's being torrented as FLAC at
Dime A Dozen and The Traders Den already complete with full provenance
Nice one, Hannah.
Thanks for the write-up Mr. Stick. If that's your name. Which I doubt.
Oh! Blimey, wow and crikey...
Coo. Slightly overwhelmed here.
I don't think I've ever been reviewed before!
dear Stick, thank you for your lovely post and your kind words; they made me cry (in a good way).
And everyone else - thanks so much for your wonderful comments and support, much appreciated. (Colin H - not being a film buff, I had to google your Galadriel reference... for a few sad minutes I thought you meant Gandalf).
I'm really pleased I did it. It was six weeks of preparation, of practising over and over again (yes, hundreds of times) to make sure I could speak for ten minutes - without notes! - and get everything in, in the right order, with the relevant details, without ballsing it all up.
I was shaking throughout the whole thing - although apparently you couldn't tell. (Although I'm not sure whether people were just saying that to be kind.) But I was really nervous, before I spoke and during; my hands were trembling throughout. But once it was done, what a relief.
Anyway, I woke up this morning feeling really happy and oddly lighter. I'm really glad I did it.
Thanks again
Hxxx
I'd love to post the clip, Hannah...
...but not having audio on my work PC I don't know which (if any) of the umpteen versions of the scene on youtube are actually the real thing and not some weird spoof.
Anyway, so long as you didn't take any magic rings from small people in the audience, I think we can all breath easy...
Scary or what?
As someone who isn't the worlds most natural public speaker that sounds terrifying, so incredibly well done Hannah.
You've given snippets and hints about your father before on other threads but I can't even begin to imagine the emotions involved in telling the complete story as you did.
Sorry I won't be there tomorrow to give you a hug but I can't imagine you'll go short.
Wow.
I can imagine it could be cathartic, but even so that's an incredibly courageous thing to do.
And thanks to Stick for the post.
That's quite something...
A beautifully written post about what was clearly a beautifully told story.
Congratulations
That takes some serious Cojones(Not literally,of course).Well done,Hannah.
Great review,Stick,you nailed it judging by the replies from the other people who were there.
I *heart* Hannah
and basically everyone else on here. I am missing my fix of you all but will be back in the fold soon.
Unless you are a thesp or egomaniac you will probably loathe the recording of your own voice. Somewhere I have a video of a speech I made at my daughter's 21st. I have never played it back. The speech I will make at her wedding in 2013 is keeping me awake nights.
There's a teeny summary of the whole night here.
http://www.truestoriestoldlive.com/
The photo was taken about 30 seconds after I came off stage. You can actually *see* me thinking "Hooray! I didn't balls it up!" and "Crikey! I'm in a photo with Jon Ronson!"
and thank you again for all your lovely, lovely comments. You splendid people, you. xxxx
Blimey o'reilly,
public speaking and on such a personal subject as well, well done and hope it made you feel better. On a personal note, was standing next to my sister as she delivered our mother's euology and I felt pretty shredded afterwards so can imagine how something like this must feel like.
I've nothing to add.....
but just wanted to join everyone in saying well done - you should be incredibly proud of yourself.
Hannah
I hope the experience was as profound, revealing and cathartic for you as it was for your audience. More so even.
It pleases me no end to know Drakeygirl and others were able to be their for a friend.
Au revoir la tristesse et bonjour plus de gateaux!
Now if you can just see your way to organising the next London parish get together for November 4th (when I will be der in dat London) and bring along a Lemon drizzle cake I promise to fall at your feet.
Stick, what a wonderful and thoughtful post to have posted. Thank you for alerting me to this happening in such a considered and poignant way.
Brilliant!
How fortuitous! The next Mingle is indeed scheduled for Friday 4th November (actually, I've got to double-check with our venue, but fingers crossed). That would be splendid.
such strength
such courage. Bravo, Hannah - and great post Stick.