b'T3 Journal - Student Writing in Drama, University of Exeter 2019-20Interview with a Busker Submitted as part of a portfolio assignment for the module Cultures of the StreetArticlesBeth BowdenThebestpartwaswhenIgotosingLetitGofromThere is a culture in Brighton of giving. It is this same Frozen with a little girl, now that was unexpected and reallyculture of giving that boosted her project to success. She brilliant Sorcha Harris tells me, as she laughs heartily atstarted small: doing 6-hour sessions, during peak [rush] my question about her busking tales. She is leaning overhours on a Saturday, in the centre of Brighton. our cramped table in a quiet Exeter pub, sipping from a beer in hand. Its late at night, but she still talks generouslyThe difficult part, she says, was making sure [they] werent and animatedly to me about her experiences as a busker.too close to any homeless people, because obviously raising She spontaneously began performing on the street as a waymoney for a homelessness charity we didnt want money to earn money for charity: a goodwill project to tackle theto be coming directly away from them. She speaks with rising levels of homeless people in her hometown, Brighton.obvious and earnest care, aware of the considerations of occupying space on the street. It is this same instinct of She felt like the crisis was too much and, armed with ahuman compassion that Im sure inspired Sorcha to raise little sign that she was raising money for charity [Off themoney in the first place. We raised a lot of money, she Fence], she decided to take to the streets. Brighton is a citysays smiling, her eyes wide. She pauses, twirling her glass with one of the greatest populations of homeless people inin her hand as if caught in her memories. My best moment the country, just behind London. Considering how small thewas when a homeless person walked past, saw our sign for city is, it means that around 5 in 10 people on any street willOff the Fence and came to talk to us. The charity had done probably be homeless. And I thought that was too much.such great work for him and that he was really pleased to see young girls raising money for such a worthy cause. It Ive always sung, Sorcha says sipping her beer, Ive livedis clear from her descriptions, that Sorcha is proud of her in the city my whole life, so I kind of knew where to go andhometown. I admire her cause: taking to the streets she busk. On every other corner of Brighton there is a musicianloves, to protect and help those who need it most. and people are quite generous towards them. I admire this quiet confidence. Her obvious knowledge and passion for the city are infectious. She talks about her hometown with a fervent nostalgia, her eyes lighting up when referencing the artsy-ness, and vibrancy of the city, overflowing with talented musicians. Its such an artsy cultural city like London on a sleeper: everyone is just a bit more friendly. 54'