‘Scarleh Fer Yer Ma Fer Havin Ya’ is a new and alternative night for Dubliners looking to try out something new. If you are tired of just sitting in at a karaoke night or you’re tired of listening to the same tracks in a nightclub then this might be right up your street.
The brainchild of Sarah Griffin and Lisa Keegan, ‘Scarleh Fer Yer Ma Fer Havin Ya’ is all about revealing your inner most teenage demons. Exorcising them from scribbled down and tear stained diary entries, reciting deep dark and dreadful poetry all in front of a room of others eager to share their own stories.
The @rcade is never one to pass up guffawing at other’s misery… we do have an evil streak… so we caught up with the girls to find out a little bit more about how the night works.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves, before we get into the gritty detail of this interview?
Well, I’m Sarah Griffin and I’m 22, probably too young to be nostalgic about anything, especially teenage diaries. I write poems and tell stories and play a little ukulele from time to time. Lisa Keegan is my creative partner, also 22, who also writes a lot and does reviews for various different publications and sometimes radio stations. We live in Galway and are both taking our Masters in Writing in NUIG.
What is ‘Scarleh Fer Yer Ma Fer Havin Ya’? Where did the idea come from?
Scarleh Fer Yer Ma is something I said to Lisa Keegan after she dictated a poem from one of her teenage diaries, confessing her love to Bam Margera. We decided that similarly to the events that run in America, like, all over America and all the time, what Dublin needs is a regular night where people can come, read their old diary entries aloud, exorcise some demons and raise a few laughs. Lisa’s got connections, and sorted us out with a venue in town called Ormond Studios, that usually functions as an artist’s workspace and gallery, but they were very kind to let us use it as a space for people to betray their teenage selves.
There are other nights like this one taking place around the world, do you have any idea how or even where this all first kicked off?
Yeah, it started in New York, as a lot of fairly cool stuff does, with a night called ‘Cringe’ that basically functions the way ours does. People came, read cringe-worthy letters, diary entries, poetry, and eventually it became something of a cult format for a show. They published a book recently too I believe, which is something that Lisa and I have discussed: harvesting the both touching and devastating memories of teenagers to paint a portrait of youth culture.
How does the night work exactly? Do people just walk up on their own or do they contact you beforehand?
We always, always welcome people who contact us beforehand; we’re always looking for more readers. Generally though people sign up on a list during the night, open-mic style. But, for every show we have maybe 60 or 70 attendees, and only ten readers, and we’re really looking to get more than that every time, because the show doesn’t work without them! The show isn’t about me and Lisa’s diaries, it’s about everyone’s diaries and everyone’s memories. Given, if they want me and Lisa’s life story sure we’ll throw it to them, but it’s much less fun that way!
You’ve ran this night before, how do people react to hearing others diary entries and stuff?
People laugh mainly: but in a really warm, comforting way, if that make sense? It’s less mocking and more a ‘sure weren’t we all eejits’ kind of thing. But laughter is the easiest emotional response to evoke from an audience, and it’s great for people to read more poignant things too. Generally though, the audience is warm and receptive and really supportive of the readers, there’s always a great vibe in the room.
What’s the best or even worst piece you’ve ever got to hear being read out?
My boyfriend read his teenage poetry once that was pretty horrific! We’ve had all sorts that strike chords with me, one about a girl struggling with ‘looking like a boy’, one about a first kiss (quite a few, but there was one favourite in particular that ended with a reading from a Christmas card from the girl), a brilliantly pretentious piece of theatre, there’s too many to count or recall.
Since we’re getting personal here, want to share a piece with the @rcade, we promise we’ll keep it a secret…
Well this one’s no secret; it’s my never-fail-to-mortify diary entry from when I was in 5th year: “So…. here I am then.
Should be studying for a French exam, really. But am still feeling rather void + shite. But you know, there’s only one way to clamber over that. And that’s in writing.
Writing WHAT, you ask.
Anything.
But, how shit my social situation is, my exams, and just the bollocks that is my existence is getting in the way. Gone are the days when I was ALLOWED to relax and chill by myself – somehow, everything nowadays just HAS to involve someone else.
Today, I am totally alone. Phone calls, texts, whatever. Aside from these things, I have been left void.
Mary’s hanging with Jane (*I do not like Jane at this point)
I’m not invited to Sally’s surprise party
People Dislike Me
Me + John (*teenage sweetheart) …well, no, we’re fine
I’m depressed due to an iron deficiency
I have two exams left
I’m tired and sick
I’m sick and tired
I HAVE WRITERS BLOCK.
Life, generally, is SHIT. “
Oh yes, I am proud of that one. Such a merry little girl, wasn’t I?
How much does it cost to go and where can we find the next event?
Next time’s a fiver in to the very swishy Twisted Pepper, you got to mention that you’re there for ‘Scarleh’ at the door though or they won’t let ya in! That’s on Saturday 18th September.
Do you have any plans for more events like this or new stuff?
Heavens yes! Though Lisa and I live in Galway now, we’re going to still be attempting to run ‘Scarleh’ as regularly as we can, possible even up here too!
Finally if you were trapped in an Arcade for eternity, what one game would you play to pass the time?
You’re talking to the right girl. I’m a die-hard nerd; and my game for eternity would be The Legend of Zelda, The Ocarina of Time. Or possibly Majora’s Mask. I’m a very big Zelda fan, always have been, and those games literally changed my little eleven year old life. I’ve got more than one diary entry about them (and two tattoos on my feet as well!)
‘Scarleh Fer Yer Ma Fer Havin Ya’ is taking place September 18 at 10:30pm – September 19 at 2:30am in the fancy Twisted Pepper. Admission is €5.
If you fancy coming along and seeing the @rcade staff reveal some of the darkest secrets then Sarah and Lisa have kindly given us two pairs of tickets to give away to our readers! For more information on how to get your hands on these tickets head over to our Facebook Page!
Scarleh Fer Yer Ma Facebook Page
Scarleh Fer Yer Ma Event Page
