A moth is not something you’d normally want to lend your ears to. We’ve read a few pretty horrifying stories about that…
The Moth, however, is an evening of quick wit and oversharing that you most definitely want to be privy to. It comes to you from the New York-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to storytelling, hosting live performances as well as a great radio show and podcast.
The Moth specialises in true stories, ones told from the heart and which haven’t been made up (there’s a strict no yarn-spinning policy here). Not the stories you used to hear at bedtime, but the kinds that might make you laugh, gasp, cry, feel inspired and probably cringe a bit too. Although they don’t go to extreme lengths like wheeling out a lie detector for the entrants, the general rule of thumb is that what you’re hearing has really happened, making for a more intimate and emotive evening.
GrandSLAM is their big finale, the battle of the bards, their 100m sprint final – and it’s happening at the end of the month (Tuesday 29th November) at a venue that’s already heard its fair share of confessions; Islington’s Union Chapel. The storytellers who’ve made it this far are the ten winners from previous The Moth StorySLAM events (the smaller monthly competitions where anyone is invited and welcome to participate), and former champ Will Attenborough has been tasked with hosting duty to ensure everything flows along at a smooth pace.
It does take guts to get up on stage in front of an audience of complete strangers and shoot on potentially vulnerable and/or embarrassing situations, so you have to admire the bravery even if the story’s not for you. Each contender is given a five-minute time limit to leave a lasting impression with the mic (so there’s no unnecessary rambling) and will recount a personal tale on the the topic of ‘never again’; which are stories about something ‘terrifying, regrettable, stupid, unplanned, un-re-doable, once-in-a-lifetime, fleeting or unique’.
We’d tell you ours, but it’s a long story…
NOTE: The Moth GrandSLAM takes place on 29th November at Union Chapel. Tickets cost £19.69 and can be booked here.
Union Chapel | 19b Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN
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