Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

If a prize existed for the most exotically named event and venue, this would win easily, and so it was with some expectation that I made my first visit .The name comes from a line in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”; “The … Continue reading →

The office of Birmingham Poet Laureate is honorary . What you do with it is pretty much up to you. Current office holder, Roy McFarlane has seized the opportunities that such a title affords and grown the position to new … Continue reading →

Metro Cafe, Bilston Held on (the somewhat hastily declared) National Cake Eating Day, it was fortuitous that Bilston Voices is held in a rather fine cafe, ensuring that the appropriate celebrations could be maximised. And it wasn’t just the cake … Continue reading →

Kitchen Garden Cafe. Kings Heath Some poetry events eschew meetings in the summer holidays on the basis that people will be away. Other more confident promoters reason that just as many people may become free to attend who otherwise may … Continue reading →

Old Cottage Tavern, Burton upon Trent BURTON is not an obvious location for a spoken word event, the natural home for which tends to be more urban areas. But perhaps that is its secret? It draws performers from far and … Continue reading →

Station Pub, Kings Heath Following an itinerant period, “Rhymes”, Birmingham’s longest established poetic event, has now settled on the Station as a regular venue and the traditional values which had built its original success are now much in evidence. Three … Continue reading →

Polesworth Refectory Polesworth Organiser Mal Dewhirst has a sure touch in the guest poets he invites to Polesworth, and this months Fizz was no exception. Matt Merritt was the headline attraction whose debut collection, Troy Town, was published by Arrowhead … Continue reading →

This year the Lichfield Festival has been a curious affair, seemingly top heavy with high ticket out-of –town performers, and light of local talent. Poetry, save for the appearance of Carol Ann Duffy, has been poorly served. That is a … Continue reading →

Little Venice, Worcester This was the first month that Parole Parlate has run without the formidable hosting skills of the “on holiday” Lisa Ventura. So did the mice play while the cat was away? Did profanity and sleaze rule? No, … Continue reading →

Worcester Arts Workshop Centre, Cellar Bar, Worcester BILLED as “Midsummer Madness”, this was an event which was part of the Worcester Literary Festival and despite competing with two other events was well attended by both an impressive array of poetic … Continue reading →