The Writers of Wales Database

TORRANCE, CHRIS

Glynmercher Isaf, Pontneathvaughan, Nr. Neath, SA11 5US
Website: http://www.strange-attractor.co.uk/torrance.htm

Born in Edinburgh, Chris moved to Wales in 1970. He won Welsh Arts Council Bursaries in 1974 and 1984. Chris has been writing the never–ending long poem The Magic Door for over 30 years, and it has been published in many books including those from Albion Village Press, Galloping Dog Press, Stone Lantern Press and Cwm Nedd Press.  He founded Adventures in Creative Writing for the Department of Continuing Education, University College Cardiff in 1976. The class lead to a literary performance group called Cabaret 246 which also produced a lively and eclectic magazine. He has done many public readings and formed poetry–and-music Band ’Poetheat’ in 1985.

Reviews:
With respect to Frinite: Heat Poets CD (2005)

”… Chris Torrance is a poet whose work I’ve been following and savouring since the early sixties. His writing continues to change and mature with deceptive simplicity. As it harmoniously manifests in a seemingly more accessible and direct form…"
Global Tapestry Journal

With respect to the ’Magic Door sequence’

”…surely the most interesting long poem currently on the go in Wales…"
Phil Maillard


Selected Publications:
Green, Orange, Purple, Red (Ferry Press, 1968)
Aries Under Saturn and Beyond (Ferry Press, 1970)
Acrospirical Meanderings in a Tongue of the Time (Albion Village Press, 1973)
Mirages (Cwn Nedd Press, 1976)
The Rainbringer & Other Poems (Pig Press, 1976)
The Magic Door (Albion Village Press, 1977)
Heat Sonnets (Pig Press, 1979) 
The Cloud Book (Cwn Nedd Press, 1980)
Cylinder Fragments of the 20th Century (Cwn Nedd Press, 1982)
The Diary of Palug’s Cat (Galloping Dog Press)
The Book of Brychan (Galloping Dog Press)
The Slim Book / Wet Pulp (Stone Lantern Press)
Re-active Anthology: The Tempers of Hazard No. 3 (co-writer) (HarperCollins, 1993)
Southerly Vector / The Book of Heat (Cwm Nedd Press, 1996)
Wobbly Chair (Canna Press, 2003)
Path (Heaventree Press, 2008)



Path (Heaventree Press, 2008)

A collection of work from the ongoing Magic Door series. The ’Path’ section in particular makes reference to the Egyptian pantheon, & becomes a lyrical investigation of number. The ’Garden Book’ takes us through a typical year in the locality of the poet’s home, in the form of letter poems to fellow poet Ric Hool. ’The Loneliness of the Long Distance Writing Tutor’ treats as subject matter Chris’ 25 years tutoring. ’Frinite’ began as a short sharp shock poem to build into the repertoire of the poetry & music band Heatpoets. ’Rori: A Book of the Boundaries’ is the culmination of the drive into dream utilised in the earliest Magic Door series books, in an attempt to bring the dreaming faculty and the process of creation closer together. This goes hand in hand with an intimate exploration of a curious church in a remote valley, and some of the stories associated with it.

For more details, please see Chris’ website
 

Eligible Writers on Tour subjects offered:

1. Read and discuss own work
2. Workshops
3. ’Open Field’ writers of USA and Britain
4. Unusual and unique performance events by ’Poetheat’, the only outfit of its type in the country

AGE RANGE: Adult