Stewart Lee – ‘Indeterminacy’ & ‘Pea Green Boat’ in Gateshead

In a rare convergence of comedy, experimental music, and literary reinterpretation, Stewart Lee recently captivated a sold-out audience in Gateshead. The event showcased two distinctive projects that highlight Lee’s commitment to avant-garde performance alongside improvising musicians.

The first piece featured was John Cage’s seminal work 'Indeterminacy,' a conceptual art experiment blending spoken word and spontaneous music. Over two decades ago, musician Steve Beresford invited Lee to lend his voice to this project, which consists of ninety brief stories shuffled randomly during performance, accompanied by musicians who deliberately ignore the narrative. This unique format challenges traditional ideas of coherence and collaboration, placing listeners in the role of composer as they attempt to find connections within seemingly disjointed elements.

Joining Lee and Beresford was pianist Tania Chen, forming a trio that has periodically revived 'Indeterminacy' throughout the years. Their Gateshead performance echoed the original 1959 recording by Cage and pianist David Tudor but adapted to a modern context where subtle improvisation and the performers’ interactions create an ambiguous auditory experience. The trio’s approach maintains Cage’s emphasis on chance operations, while also inviting the audience to engage intellectually with the unfolding soundscape.

Amidst the abstract storytelling, the performance incorporated playful yet unconventional elements such as ping pong balls striking the piano and the use of children’s toys, adding a layer of whimsy and unpredictability. The narratives themselves ranged from the absurd to the contemplative, touching on themes from Buddhism to nature, all delivered in Lee’s trademark understated and deliberate style.

The evening’s second act featured Lee’s reinterpretation of Edward Lear’s classic nonsense poem, 'The Owl and the Pussycat,' presented through a new work titled 'Pea Green Boat.' This project originated as a theatrical piece a quarter-century ago and has since evolved with contributions from political cartoonist David Waywell, who created illustrations for a recording of the text. In Gateshead, Lee performed the text alongside improvised live accompaniment, ensuring each rendition was unique while preserving the original script’s integrity.

Unlike the chance-driven structure of 'Indeterminacy,' 'Pea Green Boat' offered a more conventional narrative experience, enhanced by live musical textures that included turntables, samples, and electronics. This blend of spoken word and sonic experimentation drew from improvised music’s rich traditions, lending the performance a dynamic and immersive atmosphere.

Lee’s involvement in these projects underscores his ongoing interest in pushing the boundaries of performance art and his willingness to blend humor with serious artistic inquiry. His dry delivery and intellectual rigor provide a distinctive voice that bridges comedy and experimental music.

The Gateshead show was part of a broader tour coinciding with the promotion of Lee’s recently published book, also titled 'Pea Green Boat.' The event demonstrated Lee’s ability to attract audiences to unconventional programming, even on an otherwise unpromising Monday night.

While the collaborations featured in Gateshead were rooted in experimental traditions, they also hinted at potential future partnerships with other notable musicians from the improv and indie scenes, though details remain limited. The performance highlighted the enduring influence of John Cage’s philosophy of chance and Edward Lear’s whimsical legacy on contemporary artists.

Overall, Stewart Lee’s Gateshead appearance was a testament to his dual role as a comedian and a curator of experimental sound and narrative art. The evening’s blend of randomness, literary playfulness, and improvisational music created a thought-provoking experience that challenged conventional expectations of live performance. ukjazznews.com reports that such innovative efforts continue to expand the possibilities of audience engagement within the realms of jazz, comedy, and beyond.