Csilla Toldy

What people said:

about The Emigrant Woman's Tale:

 

“Fil Campbell and Csilla Toldy draw on memories of Belleek and Budapest to weave a striking tapestry of song, poetry and spoken word. They take their audience on a journey that crosses borders on maps and in minds in search of that elusive place that we call home. An inspirational performance that is sometimes humorous, often moving and always thought provoking....highly recommended.”

Colum Sands, BBC Radio Ulster

 

“These are captivating stories beautifully woven in poetry and song. An hour not to be missed”

Fiddlers Green Festival, Rostrevor

 

Csilla Toldy - The Emigrant Woman

If a soul seeking - prior to its fall into the manifestation of life -  an efficient way in which to develop and grow through adversity, oppression and insecurity, then Ms Toldy is certainly a masterful mistress of such a design.

This pilgrimage of a journey has been beautifully and poignantly expressed through her writings and poetry; none more so than in her in her latest book The Emigrant Woman’s Tale. 

It would be a mistake to venture or even attempt any critique on this work, other than to say, read it with an open heart, and know yourself better!

Keith ap Owen

 

A wonderful evening that nobody should miss. Follow two extraordinary women and artists on winding roades through their lives, lives of a Hungarian refugee and an Irish woman. An evening full of poetry, music, talk, song and stories. The atmosphere Csilla and Fil create is so emotional and moving that Your heart will be deeply touched. So l thank them so much that I could enjoy this performance.

Barney Hallman

 

A blog entry by Marianne Villanueva

''Ghost Ride''

This is my favourite of Csilla's poems. It encapsulates for me the feeling of a sad childhood, overshadowed by communist rule. I like the line ' yellow tram sneaks up to the southern station'. The author feels she has to sneak out; to get away, from a life without freedoms.

There is also no substitute for hearing the voice of the author reading her own work. Make sure you get the CD as well..!

 

'Sub Rosa'

This is a visceral retelling of the personal terror and real fear of attempting to escape from communist Hungary, and the terror of being caught and brought back to certain retribution and an uncertain fate.

 

'Tour Eiffel'

The finding by the author of beauty and solace in the personification of the symbol of Paris for many; the Eiffel Tower. 

 

Cafe ' You and Me' 

Here are the author's memories of her city, painful and yet loving. The many faces of Buda and Pest. I love the line ' the low sunshine is still mellow, brown leaves crunch underfoot'. It is as if I were there myself. The 'Lace' of Budapest where 'the heart is naked' and yet we only 'touch each other with our eyes'. 

Csilla's poem brings to the reader and the listener's mind the sadness of nostalgic return to a city of her youth; its beauty, its contradictions, and finally its sadness too; 'Budapest is you and me with revolutions to remember''

John D'Arcy  

 

About Vertical Montage:  book review by Emma Gleeson in Into the void Magazine 

 

About Bananas! :

 

Csilla's play Bananas! is simple yet truly rich, perfectly packed into its bitesize length but pointing toward so much beyond the space of the drama we see. Her central character (who I saw played by Vicky Blades as part of a Terra Nova Productions showcase in Belfast) is sweet, complex and daring. With a deft touch, she integrates the audience and pulls them into an intense, touching story.

Emily DeDakis 

Dramaturg & Producer

Accidental Theatre

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About Angel Fur:

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