I have called this section ‘Performance’ for several reasons.
All public appearance is a form of theatre. Even if reading briefly in public, I take account of sound levels, timing, pitch, facial expression, lighting, posture and dress. Secondly, my readings have ranged from the simplest presentation to a scripted sequence with musicians, singers, slides of art-work and a narrative line to the whole event. Thirdly, whether performing or directing, my knowledge and experience of one medium informs nd affects all others. Thus any public appearance has its own choreography, arrangement and technique. Whatever the presentation, it is created anew each time. I have to add that in circumstances where I’ve no control over externals, there is some skill involved in coping with, for example, a single, red light-bulb in a dark corner……