Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Host Antony Owen, and sometime host Barry Patterson who was in the audience, do much to promote the poetic cause in Coventry as the context of this evening demonstrated. The night before had seen the launch of Tony’s Hiroshima Haiku … Continue reading →

This was my first return visit after a promising inaugural event in May, which has subsequently run monthly, gaining traction and momentum such that it has now moved from the basement to the larger ground floor room. Liz Lefroy hosts … Continue reading →

This was the occasion of the launch of no less than three pamphlets from award-winning Birmingham poetry press Flarestack Poets . They comprised 2012 pamphlet competition winners David Clarke (‘Gaud’) and Nichola Deane (‘My Moriarty’) and the best of the … Continue reading →

Spoken Word Events in the area are in rude health. Recently Poetry Alight at Lichfield, Shindig at Leicester, and Spoken Worlds at Burton have all enjoyed strong attendances, and so it was tonight at Fizz in Polesworth. A balmy summer … Continue reading →

Open mic nights that rely on walk- up are always unpredictable events by their very nature. No-one has any idea who will turn up, or what they will perform, it is part of their charm. Tonight fate conspired positively, with … Continue reading →

Summer sees a slew of festivals encompassing all manner of artistic endeavour of which poetry is playing an increasing part. The Lydney festival is a sprawling affair taking in all of June and the first two weeks of July with … Continue reading →

It’s a question of trust. When I attend Shindig I expect headline poets who are going to interest me, entertain me and challenge me. As usual, I was not disappointed . The bar in which the performance was taking place … Continue reading →

The Ludlow Festival is a well established affair. This year a fringe has been established which included a poetry day on the Saturday boasting a day long range of events from readings and workshops, through to the highlight, Poetry and … Continue reading →

This Parole Parlate special was billed as a “Best of” the years performers, and sure enough the year’s poetic troubadours turned out in force to celebrate, and support, Worcestershire’s longest running Poetry event. A triumvirate of Poet Laureates were on … Continue reading →

The Worcester Literary Festival is a glorious alchemy of the arts which tonight found its expression in the debut performance of the Vaginellas in a typically bold promotion. No-one knew who the Vaginellas were, how many of them there were, … Continue reading →