News / Bristol

Playing the piano for love on College Green

By Martin Booth  Saturday Sep 9, 2017

Sitting down underneath some trees on College Green, Luke Howard surveys his new surroundings. He knows that he might be here for a while.

Luke is playing a piano in the hope of winning back his former lover and he has vowed not to stop until she gives him a second chance.

It is a lonely vigil for the musician from Bath, whose playing was forced to begin a bit later than planned on Saturday due to the anti-austerity rally a few hundred yards away from his piano.

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Bristol has been used to seeing pianos on the streets for the last few weeks as part of the Play Me, I’m Yours project, and several people had a play of Luke’s piano’s keys as he spoke about his ambitions, assuming that the instrument was public property.

But he had purchased it especially for this last-ditch attempt to win back his lost love, and it had been delivered to College Green on Saturday morning where Luke promised he would keep playing for as long as it takes.

“I’m a musician, I don’t now what else to do,” Luke said soon before his solitary watch began.

His former paramour, who he only refers to as ‘Rapunzel’, lives in Clifton and he hopes that somehow she will hear of his madcap scheme.

“When I’m playing, I can channel my emotions rather than sitting in a dark corner on a chair. Some people do some exercise to free their mind; this is the same thing with me.

“I’m just going to keep playing and playing, rain or shine, day or night. It might give her a different perspective on things. I will stay here for weeks if I have to.”

 

Read more: Video of bicycle theft on College Green goes viral

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