Writer Sarah Butler (above) has worked with London Underground staff to record their stories. Art on the Underground, Benedict Johnson
Literature: Central line stories, new writing by Sarah Butler in collaboration with London underground staff
Millions of London Underground commuters have been given a unique insight into the hidden lives of Central Line staff this month thanks to an inspired collaboration between staff and creative writer Sarah Butler.
A series of innovative and often very moving tales have become the subject of a book Central Line Stories, illuminating our understanding of the human side of one of the capital’s most solitary occupations.
Central Line stories has been published online
Through visiting the 45 Central line-managed stations, Butler gained an invaluable glimpse of the rich imaginations of staff, encapsulating their varied experiences in four distinctive texts.
“I was simply blown away by the openness, generosity and creativity of the people I met,” enthuses Butler, who embarked on an exhaustive journey of speaking to staff at every station during a period of just five days.
“This was possibly the most terrifying thing I have ever done in my life. It was an incredibly intense experience and it was also difficult initially, as a writer, to surrender all control of characters to other people.”
Daisy Hutchison, Art on the Underground
It was Butler's insatiable curiosity for the stories behind the faceless underground uniforms which spurred her to pass much of this control to the eclectic mix of people she met.
The unprecedented results can be seen in the tale Central Line Whispers. Written by 55 individuals, the 7,000-word text evolved as a way of connecting the staff along the line, many of whom never get the chance for sustained interaction with colleagues.
"The only constraint was that the story should follow the shape of the line," says Butler, who developed two characters who meet where two branches of the line merge, become separated and are then reunited later.
"It was remarkable to see how the story shifted and changed as staff responded to each other’s ideas and added their own personalities and concerns."
It is these personalities who form the basis of two extended stories in Meeting with Drivers. The intricately layered and subtly moving Early Turn is based upon Butler's conversations with Train Operator and Artist Francesca Alaimo.
"Sarah spent a couple of hours with me in my cab, talking about my work and my life," says Alaimo.
"Among other things we talked about the origins of my name, which comes from Dante's Inferno. I suggested she read it.
"When she sent me the draft of the story she had written I was delighted and surprised by the results. It was very playful and contained interesting twists on the things we had discussed."
Alaimo also features in the section What's in a Name, a collection of stories attached to the names of staff on the line.
Focusing on naming-traditions across the world, it seamlessly captures London's cultural diversity, placing Underground staff at the forefront of the project.
Head of Art on the Underground Tamsin Dillon is thrilled by the success of this new venture.
"It has taken off in an extraordinary way and has instilled a real sense of belonging in staff," she reckons, reflecting on a string of tales as dramatic, funny, poignant and engaging as any soap opera.
"We have all been in awe of Sarah's electrifying brand of enthusiasm."
Read and listen to the stories online
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