Improv, Art, Characters and Poetry
I arranged to meet Julie Mullen in the courtyard of Canteen however in her place was a mildly terrifying orange haired character who was awaiting my arrival. I started off with an unfortunate faux-pas of misgendering and asked who she was. “Jim McMullen” he barked waving a 3 inch paint brush at me. He appeared to be a chef with a blood-stained tunic and chequered trousers. I couldn’t fathom what the brush was for other than a gesticulation device…
Several diners in the courtyard were avoiding eye contact with Jim who featured a very slight Scottish accent, there seemed to be a strong impression that he might start something.
It turns out this is an incognito Julie Mullen. Following 20 years of acting in television, radio and theatre, Julie is harnessing a wealth of creativity that encompasses improvisation, published poetry, painting and more recently abstract portraiture miniatures that were inspired by a recent Churchstow exhibition with 23 artists.
We’re here to talk about ‘Odd Balls’ – a multi-disciplinary event coming up at Birdwood House for the week from Monday 23rd September to Saturday 28th. It’s going to be a first for Totnes with an unusual combination of poetry, artworks and improvisation. The poetry will feature on a wall dedicated to Julie’s Mum, Dad and Liverpool where she grew up. “A family in the gallery of time“. It will also feature her poem ‘Grave Matter’ (video below).
Is this where the name ‘Odd Balls’ comes from? Julie is quite taken aback at the question and considers an answer – “do you know, it might be – I actually don’t know!” Julie has been presenting and hosting many regular events over the last ferw years with Poets and Pints in the Barrel House and the Word Cafe in several venues featuring poets both local and nationally including a rare performance from friend & Liverpool poet Brian Patten.
The Birdwood exhibition will feature 2 extra large works alongside the abstract pieces but unusually the week-long residency will feature a poetry reading every hour – on the hour. Not only that but Julie will perform a short improv at 11:30am and 3:30 each day! With an uncanny ability to pivot from hilarity to pathos within a hairs’ breadth it’s best not to assume what form these moments will take. The only way to find out what happens is to be there…
As with my meeting with an unexpected Jim McMullen, it’s not possible to second-guess Julie Mullen. With the multi-faceted range of her creativity, it’s difficult to describe her genres accurately.
One thing you can be reasonably certain of; she won’t be predictable…