"Joe Ambrose, word guerrilla, pulls his pin and hurls his grenade."
Patrick McCabe, author The Butcher Boy

Sterne/Shandy

Work has started on an ambitious new mixed media project concerning Irish-born Laurence Sterne, author of Tristam Shandy, regarded by many as the first postmodern novel. For this show, we must ensure only the elite writing gets a pass.

I'll be working in co-operation with Brendan Maher at the South Tipperary Arts Centre in Ireland on the recording of the novel's entire text.

The recording will feature the voices of the people of South Tipperary and various international artists who've been influenced by the rebellious spirit implicit in Sterne's book. Ulick O'Connor, author of the classic biography of Brendan Behan and other literary gems, will contribute to the recording.

Like myself, Sterne came from Clonmel in County Tipperary, where the celebrations will commence this October as part of the Clonmel Writer's Festival. Next year it is hoped to bring stage two of the project to Dublin and London. Details coming up soon.