Key Seeds Spotlight: Jude Simpson on A Noise Annoys
Catch it at The Key Theatre, Sat 3 & Sun 4 May
As part of our Key Seeds artist development programme, we’re thrilled to introduce Jude Simpson, a spoken word performer, poet, musician and all-round joy-bringer. Her brand-new family-friendly show A Noise Annoys is a heartwarming and hilarious blend of poems, songs and silliness – a celebration of sound, silence, and the wonderful weirdness of words.
We caught up with Jude ahead of her upcoming performances to find out more about the show, her creative journey, and what audiences can expect…
Q&A with Jude Simpson
1. The title A Noise Annoys is instantly intriguing – where did it come from, and what does it suggest about the journey audiences will go on in your show?
The phrase “A Noise Annoys” originally popped into my head as the title for a poem. Then as this show started developing, I realised that it was a great title for the whole piece! So the poem “A Noise Annoys” became the first poem in the show of the same name!
“A Noise Annoys” is a blend of spoken word, song and silliness. The audience come on a journey that is all about having fun with words, being freed to play with them, and discovering how language can be a tool for sharing joy!
2. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the piece? What sparked the idea and how has it evolved?
I spent over 8 years away from performing, firstly due to starting a family, and then, infuriatingly, by the pandemic. When I came back, I knew I wanted to create family-friendly work that would be enjoyed by all ages, and bring joy and playfulness.
I’m constantly playing with words – in my head, in conversation, in daily life. And I notice that children naturally enjoy this too. So wordplay was the obvious place to begin, and as I started writing poems and songs to do with words themselves, it soon turned into a theme about sounds, noises and also the beauty of occasional silence!
To give you a flavour, I’ve ended up with a song about peanut butter sandwiches – which is also about getting your words in the right (or wrong) order – a tongue-twister about badgers, and a poem about things which are named after the noise they make – like pingers, buzzers and hooters, but not hedgehogs.
3. Your work blends comedy, poetry and music – how do those elements come together in this show, and how would you describe its tone?
Yes, that’s right. I love to offer the audience that variety. I’ll perform a poem, have a chat, do something funny and physical with my props, then pick up the guitar and go, “shall we sing a song?!”
I think the tone of the show is whimsical, engaging, upbeat, uplifting, joyful and charming!
4. The themes of noise, distraction and overload feel particularly relevant right now. What drew you to explore these ideas, and what do they mean to you personally?
Yes, it’s true – and lots of people identify not only with the joy of making noise, but also with the longing for hush! In fact, in the show, we do have a moment of silence, with the lights down low, and you can really feel people in the room wanting to stay in that place, almost like, “No! Don’t make me leave this quiet!”
For myself, I believe very strongly in the power of words, so exploring what we do with them, and how we can choose to use them for annoyance or for joy, that’s very close to my heart.
5. What’s been your biggest challenge – or perhaps your biggest joy – in creating A Noise Annoys?
My biggest challenge, always, is just keeping going! As a solo artist, you have to get all the energy from yourself – you have to constantly find the confidence to promote yourself, create work, believe in yourself. I think I come across as confident, as though I’m finding it easy – but I’m not!!! I have constant self-doubt and emotional rollercoasters!
So – on the flipside – being on a scheme like Key Seeds, and having people like Sonny and George, the Key Theatre, and the other participants on my side, it really does make a massive difference. That’s definitely been one of the major joys of the process for this show.
6. Are there any writers, performers or artists who’ve influenced your approach to this piece or your style in general?
There are many, but there is no one particular person – in fact, I think what I do is relatively unique, I really magpie from all sorts of places, to find my own individual style. I would say Michael Rosen for storytelling and expression, Victoria Wood for warmth, humour and relateability, Harry Baker for delivery and wordiness, Spike Milligan for the love of nonsense, and Jenny Lockyer for eccentric whimsy.
Some of the best bits of the development have actually been working with people like my Director, Laura Killeen, who was brilliant at identifying what it was about me that was powerful and unique, and helping me bring that out.
7. How has being part of the Key Seeds programme helped shape the development of this work? Has anything surprised you about the process?
There have been three aspects that Key Seeds has especially helped with. Firstly, the funding enabled me to get that Directorial feedback from Laura, which was really valuable.
Secondly, the theatricality of the show has been enhanced – I’ve been able to explore the props and audio/visual side of things with Key Seeds, including getting some new blocks and boxes made by local propmaker Georgia Wightman – so there are some visual puns, and a moment where I crawl inside a box to try and get the empty space out!
Thirdly, the Key Seeds scheme has enabled me to get the show off the ground in terms of touring. It’s no good having a lovely show if you never get to perform it anywhere! I worked with Jack Kelly from Of The Jackel, who advised me on approaching theatres and setting up a tour. So now I have a modest but exciting twelve-show tour for “A Noise Annoys”, and a lot more opportunities in the pipeline.
8. What do you hope audiences will take away from the performance – a laugh, a reflection, a moment of calm?
Definitely a smile and a laugh. I want the audience to be able to relax and enjoy themselves, together with whoever they have come with. In a confusing and difficult world, my show is a place of refuge where people can smile together and share some joy.
My second hope is that the audience will come away with a new love of playing with language, and a freedom to enjoy that, and to use their words for good in the world.
And thirdly – the opportunity to shout “Baff! Baff!” if you meet me in the street, and have me sing to you about bewilderment! You’ll have to come to the show to know what I mean by that!!
9. What’s next for you after this? Is A Noise Annoys a standalone piece, or part of a bigger creative journey?
Definitely a part and a start of a big creative journey! Firstly, I’ll be touring this show over the next twelve months, and I’ve got bookings in all sorts of places like Suffolk, Dorset, Worthing, Hereford and Birmingham.
I have loved putting together a family show, and actually I’ve already got ideas for my next one – in fact I even know what the title is, but I won’t be revealing that yet!!!
“A Noise Annoys” has also been a massive part of re-emerging as a writer and performer. It’s given me the confidence, ideas and support to keep writing, keep performing, keep developing my craft – there’s much more to come! I’m so grateful to Key Seeds for giving me the support to be able to fly with this idea.
10. And finally – describe A Noise Annoys in just three words. Go on, give it a go!
Joyful! Wordy! Fun!
Don’t Miss It!
Join Jude and the joyful noise at The Key Theatre on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May for a charming, funny and family-friendly celebration of words, sounds and silliness.
You’ll never look at peanut butter, badgers or buzzers the same way again.