Roy McFarlane, experienced performer of powerful social commentary and love poetry, and a long-time member of the New October Poets group from the West Midlands
Sophia Blackwell performing her one-woman show 'Sappho at Sainsbury's' which featured her own work, Sappho's in translation, women poets in comfortable sandals through the ages, and some interesting props from her shopping bag: wine, chocolate, tomatoes and even - !? - a large cucumber ...
These amazing performances at Grove House - held from noon each day until late evening within its superb Rotunda - were notable for their intimate atmosphere and informal style ... punters came and went, children tottered about, organic soup was consumed, and the performers themselves leapt about or stood and recited or used various bizarre props mere inches from the audience who all seemed absolutely delighted with their eclectic weekend of poetry and spoken word ...
Celebrity poet & ranter Jem Rolls was a highlight of the weekend for me and a revelation in terms of performance dynamics and sheer energy. Usually based in Scotland, he's on again in Brighton tonight and at the Oxford Zodiac on Tuesday night and somewhere else on Wednesday - my mind's a blank due to a severe case of overhanging fringe - but you can check out the Hammer and Tongue site for details of the Brighton and Oxford events at least.
NB: Just found out where Jem Rolls is appearing this Wednesday ... Mouthtrap Cabaret, South Street Arts Centre, Reading. 5th April at 8pm for 8.30 show. £6/£4, on the door or from 0118 960 6060. Visit Reading Arts for - I suspect - roughly the same information but perhaps in more detail.
No comments:
Post a Comment