Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading

Subject: Folklore: Hardy Reading
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 06:10 PM

I am going to a mince pie type evening at the end of November with a "Thomas Hardy" theme. (Private do in someone's house).

What I really, really need is a parody (more my style). Les Barker has a number of Christmas type poems and I have written to see if there is anything he might recommend.

Does anyone else have any good ideas......?

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Folklore: Hardy Reading
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 06:46 PM

You could try lifting something from Cold Comfort Farm (Stella Gibbons)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 03:32 AM

You could lift the mummers play from one of Hardy's books - it's about the only funny bit Hardy ever wrote, but for the life of me I can't remember which one it's in!

It's probably Madding Crowd, possibly Casterbridge or D'Urbervilles. To be honest, it's been several years since I read a whole Hardy.

Failing that, try getting hold of a book by the late Frank Muir and his son Jamie. I think it's called A Treasury of Chrismtas, but of course, I can't find my copy anywhere.

If I find it, I'll post it's proper title. It covers Christmas from the beginning of Advent right up to Plough Monday.

LTS

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 03:39 AM

Bloody typical. I got up from the computer, turned around and there was the book, right in front of me. Silly me, I'd been looking on the bookshelves!

It is indeed 'A Treasury of Christmas', and the ISBN is 0006365647, first published in 1981 so it may take some finding. If you do, hang on to it, it's brilliant and very funny.

It actually starts with All Hallows Eve and the Lord of Misrule. This chapter has a couple of Mummers plays in it, the whole book is full of readings, information both useful and trivial, poetry, anecdotes and pictures. 'Diary of a Nobody' is always good for some satirical readings about Christmas.

And the Hardy book with the mumming play in it is Return of the Native.

LTS

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 01:06 PM

I have some Christmas short stories I have written if you want to read them. Let me know -- one or two are humorous and at a pinch might be construed as Hardy-esque.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 02:13 PM

Thanks for that everyone. I shall try and get hold of a copy of the Mummers Play and the great man himself has recommended "Corgasm" which has a turkey's viewpoint of Christmas.

Anything else can be sent to me.

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 04:59 PM

"It's about the only funny bit Hardy ever wrote"

Try this for size, from Under the Greenwood Tree.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: Emma B
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 07:14 PM

From Thomas Hardy's "The Oxen" written at Christmas 1924 - not quite the stuff of mincepies but a little more powerful than a parody
"Peace upon earth!" was said. We sing it,
And pay a million priests to bring it.
After two thousand years of mass
We,ve got as far as poison gas

I've just got back from a local Stop the War coalition meeting so forgive my usual lack of levity

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 06:13 PM

No problems Emma and I sympathise.

I have had plenty of f stuff sent to me and thanks yo you all. I shall post the result later!!

Regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 06:14 PM

Let me try that again without typos.

No problems Emma and I sympathise.

I have had plenty of stuff sent to me and thanks to you all. I shall post the result later!!

Regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: Folklore: Thomas Hardy Reading
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 06:55 PM

Forgiven - guess I should have said lack of usual levity but after todays news I feel even more angry still it was great to see that statue topled
Enjoy the mincepies and have a drink for me