Hamlet , The Lamp Tavern, Digbeth, Birmingham

Posted on April 29, 2012 by garylongden


I am fond of seeing Shakespeare performed in public houses as it recreates the milieu in which the plays would originally have been performed. The Lamp Tavern itself is an old, characterful , intimate, backstreet place, in which you bump into the end of the bar as you enter ,and is still a drinkers pub, complete with the odd regular having a snooze in the corner. The performance itself was in a back bar with modest raised stage. On the walls fading prints of Victorian performers and characters keep watch, partly illuminated by a stained glass, leaded light ceiling dome, through whose opaque glass and grime the evening light struggled to penetrate.

This production was the work of Worcester based Melting Pot Theatre Company. Staging Hamlet is laden with risks and rewards. Amongst the best known English language plays of all time, there is no danger that the audience will not know the credentials of the play, or be unfamiliar with the plot. However that very familiarity carries risk. Most of those watching will have seen many other productions and performances to compare against, and the words will often be mimed by the audience as fervently as fans many sing the words to well known songs at a pop concert – don’t fluff the lines! Therefore the challenge is either to produce the greatest performance of Hamlet of all time, or to reinvent the staging. The smart choice is to go for the latter, which is what Melting Pot wisely decided to do. And if ever there was a play which Behind the Arras should be reviewing, it is Hamlet!

So, what was the twist? The full dramatis personae tops twenty players, Melting Pot managed with seven, comprising five women and two men. All male characters other than Hamlet and King Claudius ( and the ghost) were played by women. As in the setting, this was a device which echoed the practicalities of theatre in Elizabethan times in which men playing women was a common theatrical device, to comic effect in comedies.

Scenery was nil, props minimal and costumes functional, but all very effective. Lighting was just two white light spots. It worked. No distractions, just the players and the play. The overall costuming was unisex black ,boots, trousers and shirts for all. It is to the company’s enormous credit that the women who were playing male and female roles did not seek to establish gender by slipping on/ taking off a skirt or shift dress. Instead they acted their gender, and did it very well.

Susan Doran played Polonius

The surprise of the night was Susan Doran as Polonius. Being neither old, nor male, was no obstacle to her. Instead she created a compelling humanity for him, with no little humour. Not only did I quickly forget that the part was being played by a woman, I quickly started to rack my brains for a more inspired interpretation of the character. Amanda Bonnick, as Laertes also gave a fine nuanced performance as an initially balanced young man driven to revenge. That both Susan and Amanda defined their masculinity by subtle body language, rather than faux deep voices, was a tribute to their acting skills.

Jenny Stokes played Queen Gertrude

Jenny Stokes and Philip Ward were a convincing Queen Gertrude and King Claudius, solid anchors around which the rest of the cast bobbed. Their coquettish and lascivious entrance was a delight. As Ophelia, Holly Jeffrey was both beautiful and vulnerable, as Osric, she also offered a evidence in the vignette that she too could play a man along with the best. Janet Bright played the tricky part of Horatio with great care. Horatio is omnipresent in the play, doesn’t say much, but is a crucial part in the mechanics of the story as Hamlet’s best friend. Wisely, she determined to enjoy the role and savour her lines – as the audience did.

Prince Hamlet was played by Mathew Brockington in neurotic, understated fashion. Hamlet’s descent into madness was well charted, the eternal question of when he was mad, and when he was feigning madness ,underscored by a teasing ambivalence to his portrayal. No Shakespearean character has better soliloquies than the Prince, the challenge of performing them is daunting for any actor. The defining moment of his Hamlet, when the words and his performance converged, arrived in the “ Alas poor Yorick” soliloquy, a meditation on the fragility of life which transcends time, his delivery lit up the room.

This ambitious production succeeds admirably in re-imagining Hamlet , and teasing new life out of it, by the gender play in its casting. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Gravediggers Scene, in which Susan Doran and Jenny Stokes donned flat caps and replaced earrings for pencils behind their ears to perform in rousing comic and hugely enjoyable style. This production will tour again later in the year, for more information on the company : http://www.meltingpottheatre.co.uk/

For more information on the production: http://trappingsandsuits.blogspot.co.uk/

Gary Longden 28/4/11

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Bilston Voices, Metro Cafe, Bilston

Posted on April 28, 2012 by garylongden

Liz Lefroy

Fading spring light still clung to the evening hour through the haze of light drizzle as April’s instalment of Bilston Voices commenced . The usual, strong , crowd assembled early for coffee and cake before sampling the main course of the evening’s entertainment for one of the more diverse bills of a fine 2012 programme which was to culminate in a reading by award winning poet Liz Lefroy.

Storytelling commenced proceedings with Iris Rose remembering her four weddings (without a funeral) as a bridesmaid. Iris bears an uncanny resemblance to Sky News anchorwoman Kay Burley, but her roots were emphatically Black Country and not media luvvie. It was a leisurely stroll through schooldays of apple scrumping, wheelbarrow rides and British Rail services which ran on time, a journey the appreciative audience were happy to climb on board for.

Spoken Word at the Hollybush Public House in Cradley Heath is another regular Black Country night out. Veteran Richard Bruce Clay has recently handed over the reins of organising the event to tenderfoot Jack Edwards who tonight was performing, rather than cheerleading. Young, ebullient and full of ideas, he is unashamedly a performance poet. His opening trio of January Sales/ I’m a Rock Star/Health & Safety were the poetic equivalent of a fast bowler in cricket bowling his opening over, effective, exploratory and testing the reaction of what was opposite to him. By the time he had delivered his closing salvo of Supply Teachers Guide/Fair Trade / Sorry he was regularly taking wickets. Supply Teacher evoked gales of laughter, and Fair Trade is probably his best poem. Sorry which he closed with, whilst good, worked better as an opener when I saw him perform it recently in Kidderminster, underscoring how sensitive poems are to their position in a running order.

Octogenarian Win Saha ,closed the first half with poetry that was neither sentimental nor retrospective in tone, drawing instead on the past to illuminate the present. Vulnerable Man, about the effect of the recession, could have been written in the 1930’s or 1970’s, but packed a contemporary punch, Consolation Prize was a saucy take on internet dating, whilst Rain Dance was demonstrably effective as the pavements outside glistened with the results of a timely April shower. Win and Jack proved with their first half sets the adage “if you are good enough you are old enough,” from opposite ends of the age spectrum. Win’s collection, Win’s Top Thirty is available from Offa’s Press.

After the interval Roger Jones split his performance between four poems and a reminiscence of his first day at Secondary School in 1948. Anyone lamenting declining standards of behaviour in schools now would have been shocked by the chaos of teacher assault and vandalism that confronted Roger on his first day. Yet it was his shortest piece, Simian , a poem about a black man who was admitted to the same hospital ward as him, then died, over half a century ago, that stood out for me.

Headlining the evening was Liz Lefroy, from Shrewsbury, whose debut pamphlet, Pretending the Weather won the prestigious Roy Fisher prize in 2011. Her latest pamphlet, The Gathering, had been delivered by the printers that very morning, affording her the opportunity to offer Bilston a world premier performance of some extracts!

Her tall frame gives her a commanding presence which combines with her measured mellifluous delivery to create calm and confidence. She picked up on the nostalgic thread which had run through some previous performances on the night to introduce her first poem, Archaeology. In it, she draws parallels between the work of archaeologists who attempt to piece together physical fragments of the past, and poets who seek to create poems by searching for fragments of memory. By so doing, both strive to make sense of the present. It was a compelling and powerful analogy.

Liz is engagingly eclectic in her choice of subject matter. Poems about childhood risk being intensely personal with little reach beyond the author, but not in her skilled hands. In her Episodes sequence she wrote of her mother; ”Once you let us find you stripped down to your tears,” the silence in the room cried out in recognition.

Her language is economic, precise and compassionate. In Roadside Shrine she opens with, “I pass your death each morning.” Gratuitous grandiloquence is no pitfall for her. As an aside she revealed that she is a vicar’s daughter. Her writing , as if by osmosis, combines the clergyman’s oratorical skills of sensitivity and candour. The liturgical awareness which surrounded her upbringing is explored in the exact, lyrical words of The Gathering , which also has a musical arrangement, from which she read The New Testament Reading/The Creed. The tradition of setting devotional poetry to music has a rich tradition, most successfully practised by Christina Rossetti – Liz is in fine company! Determined not to leave the audience with too serious an impression of her, she delighted and entertained also with Sunday Gifts about ladies’ underwear, and the self deprecating Gender Reassignment, before closing with a cautionary tale of the tensions between prose and poetry writers which struck a chord with all.

Bilston Voices once again succeeded in its mission of providing a platform for distinguished performers with a national reputation whilst also providing a platform for local talent.It meets again on Thursday 24th May.

Gary Longden 26/4/12

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Sounds & Sweet Airs , Bookmark Library Theatre, Bloxwich

Posted on April 24, 2012 by garylongden

Sounds & Sweet Airs performers: L to R, Charlie Jordan, Janet Smith, Tom Wyre, Marcia Calame, David Calcutt, Janet Jenkins, Roy MacFarlane, Gary Longden, Ian Ward


Poetry readings abound in the Midlands at the moment. Men and women are seen entering a rich variety of bars, pubs, meeting rooms and libraries clutching notepads and books. Tonight they converged on Bloxwich, an ideal venue with sound system , stage and flexible seating for local author David Calcutt’s Sounds & Sweet Airs. With mini- candles flickering on the tables, Charlie Jordan commented that the room had the feel of a Parisian Cafe, left bank, naturally.

David Calcutt opened proceedings drawing upon Chaucers’ Wife of Bath for What Women Desire, a fine epic tale. Its erudite tone and traditional content fused effortlessly with the evening’s themes of celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday and literary traditions, and World Book Day. Ian Henry picked up the patriotic theme with an homage to St George before Tom Wyre read an engaging trilogy of the surreal with trademark rhymes. The Lichfield Poets were well represented on the evening, leader Janet Jenkins read from a piece written for the Lichfield Mysteries, about the Garden of Eden, and closed with a beautiful nature poem about a murmuration of starlings.

First guest poet, Maria Calame, closed the first half with her customary energy, lyricism, performance and grace. She effortlessly slips between the received pronunciation of Skin Deep and the Caribbean patois of Dead in the Water, combining pathos, redemption, defiance and hope in one tremendous package. Opening the second half, second guest poet, and Decadent Diva, Charlie Jordan breezed through familiar territory, Walkmans on local bus routes, the erotic allure of men shaving, and her signature Words all pleased. She tantalised us by performing only a fragment of Buddhism and Ben & Jerrys, but delighted us with her new M, the saucy tale of the head of Mi5.

From the floor Ian Ward now combines an accomplished repertoire with some introductory banter, declaring that his reading was themed around “recent poems” which raised a knowing chortle from a poet heavy audience, his Lichfield Mysteries poem about the martyrdom of a heretic in Lichfield market square is particularly strong. Basking in the news of her long listing in the recent Flarestack Publishing pamphlet competition, Janet Smith delivered a dark and intense sequence with a smile and confidence, the new Hooded Children stood out for me.

Drawing the evening to a close was past Birmingham Poet Laureate Roy Mac Farlane who is guaranteed to close any poetry event on a high note. His poem about Richard Pryor deals with racism, Jack and Jill is a cry on behalf of the dispossessed and disenfranchised and the pernicious effect of spending cuts is not spared his rage. But Roy’s material extends beyond the political and social. Nearly There neatly name-checks his young daughter, whilst an extended piece about the erotic properties of tights made you wonder what would happen if Roy shaved and Charlie Jordan put her tights on in the same room!

All in all a fine evening drawing together the local poetry community and part of an occasional series led by David Calcutt, check the Bookmark Library Theatre website in Bloxwich for future events.
Gary Longden 24/4/12

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Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton upon Trent

Posted on April 24, 2012 by garylongden

Host Gary Carr


Organised by host Gary Carr, this monthly spoken word event continues to provide a solid platform for experienced, and less experienced ,writers alike to trial their work in a supportive atmosphere. Trusty troubadours arrive from as far away as Buxton, Birmingham, Chesterfield and Tamworth to read to a knowledgeable and supportive audience.

For once, Gary Carr gave himself some reading time , and very welcome that was too. Dear Diary and The Collector shone, A Brief History of Time (about clocks) was the pick of the bunch. Rob Stevens picked up the zeitgeist of the summer with an amusing discourse on the travels of the Olympic torch called Sid the Sneeze. At home with a guitar as well, Rob excels at telling stories whether with musical accompaniment, comic or serious. He has promised an extended Sound of Music themed sequence – I can’t wait!

Ian Ward has been honing his art in recent months, and it shows. His impressive Lichfield Mysteries trio showcased a future performance, whilst his first trio, Withered Wychwood, the Ice Queen and Seasons of Time had him on familiar fantasy ground. It’s a bit like listening to Tales From Topographic Oceans from Yes, you know that it is good without having any real idea what it is all about!

A second time visitor was Dwane Reads from Chaddesden who is enthusiastically launching himself into the performance poetry circuit. Boasting bags of poems and energy , and thematically favouring “kitchen sink “ poetry, it will be intriguing to see how he evolves. Dea Costello is an occasional visitor who never fails to impress. She offered a wonderful mini sequence on snapshots of situations to which she then fills in a back story, and two beautiful poems about herons and seagulls. Tony Keaton too , drops in when he can, and invariably shines, this time with the wicked Fly Tipping.

Variety has always been a feature of Spoken Worlds, and so it proved tonight. Jeannie Jordan showcased an excerpt from her Buxton Fringe play Imperfect Cadence, Terry and Ray Holland performed a sketch with dialogue as hard edged as Tarrantino’s Reservoir Dogs. A different and exciting contribution was made by Mal Dewhirst who played audio recordings of workshop contributions made by members of the public inspired by Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. The slightly echoey sound, and faint background noise from a cafe with rain occasionally audible in the background made for an intriguing and rewarding piece. And as if to remind us that he can write a bit too, he also dusted down My Town, a powerful polemic on the death of the High Street that seems to have improved still further with age.

That variety, combined with Karen Carr making a rare and strong contribution, made for another rich and enjoyable evening. Spoken Worlds next meets on Friday 18th May, 7,30pm start, free admission.
Gary Longden 21/4/12

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Writers Retreat Showcase, Erdington Library, Birmingham

Posted on April 24, 2012 by garylongden

Jan Watts

Erdington Library has been hosting a week long series of poetry workshops curated by Jan Watts, Birmingham Poet Laureate. This night was a showcase for those who had worked for four days to develop, and hone, their poetic skills. Reprising the success of last year’s writer’s retreat, a combination of absolute beginners and more seasoned campaigners gathered to showcase their efforts for the evening’s entertainment.

However this was no self-congratulatory love fest. Jan Watts herself demonstrated that she could walk the walk as well as talk the talk with a selection of her current favourites taking in the anti-war Spectacles to Sainsbury at Maypole. I see and hear a fair bit of Jan, and what is intriguing is that far from sitting on her laurels she has become more strident and energised as her year has unfolded, inspiring and cajoling other poets as she goes.

Julie Boden

Maintaining Jan’s high standard was Julie Boden, a past Birmingham Poet Laureate whose work I have admired for some years now. Reading freely from her collection Cut on the Bias she educated with poems taking in different forms including Memories in a City Cafe, a sestina, Lady in Red (nothing to do with Chris De Burgh!) a triolet, and Singing Happiness, a daisy chain. The sestina is a structured 39 line poem consisting of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by an envoi of three lines. The words that end each line of the first stanza are used as line endings in each of the following stanzas, rotated in a set pattern. The triolet is a very brief, tightly rhymed eight line poem that, like the pantoum, takes part of its structure from the repetition of entire lines. The daisy chain is a poem that ends where it starts. All three were textbook examples of their forms. Memories in the Cafe was the most satisfying for me as the language did not seem to be controlled by the form, it was complimented by it, a difficult feat to execute.

Full time student Samantha Hunt set quite a marker with her visceral poem about child abuse, Telling Stories, whose opening stanza is: “It merges with rainy afternoons / Dripping through the past. /Where my Mother is clutching a worn teddy bear /In an empty room, drawing her knees up on the hollow bed /Where time has stopped and night is rushing in/Flushing hot on my cheeks.” Restrained, but honest, it is the gaps between the words which were the most potent.

And Sam was not alone in turning out some excellent work. Vera Gilbert impressed with At This Moment as did Kathryn Faulkner with her reflections on body image. Other poets romped through Monet, Iona and Rome in an impressive and confident display of poetic dexterity. All in all a fine recital by tutors and tutored alike.

Gary Longden 19/4/12

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Cheltenham Poetry Festival – Nine Arches Poetry Juke Box / Pulp Diction

Posted on April 22, 2012 by garylongden

When Cheltenham Poetry Festival launched in 2011 it was described as ‘a triumph’ by poet Alison Brackenbury, now in its second year ,it has returned bigger and better with 95 performers over 5 days, overseen by Chief Executive Director Anna Saunders. Saturday had a range of events and the two which caught my eye were the Nine Arches Poetry Juke Box at the Exmouth Public House, Bath Road in the afternoon, and Pulp Diction at the Town Hall in the evening.

Nine Arches Press have been steadily growing an impressive catalogue of poets over the past few years. Co-editor Jane Commane was on hand to introduce, and link, three poets from her stable; Luke Kennard, Dan Sluman and Phil Brown. Promoters are always, rightly, looking for ways to refresh poetry readings. The device used this afternoon was to pre-nominate eight themes culled from song titles, and invite members of the audience to select which order they were performed in.

Jane Commane

The advantages of this mechanism were the novelty, audience involvement and dramatic uncertainty of what was to follow. The disadvantage was that the poets did not have an opportunity to develop their identity over successive poems. Nonetheless, the credits certainly outweighed the debits in a well worked format which showcased the work of three poets:

Daniel Sluman is Gloucestershire based, so was on home turf, and unveiled material from his upcoming debut collection, Absence Has a Weight of its Own. He modestly asserts that his claim to fame is having once been bought a drink by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, his writing, and performance was meticulous, considered and contained.

Phil Brown teaches English in Sutton, south London. In 2009 he was shortlisted for the Crashaw Prize and won the Eric Gregory Award in 2010 his most recent collection is, Il Avilit. His readings were characterised by simple, effective language and ear catching observations. Never before have I heard a tale of bored privately educated schoolgirls uninterested in poetry because they were destined to be doctors – but that is exactly what unfolded in Grammars and Comprehensives. That gift of the unexpected twist ran through many of his pithy selections.

Luke Kennard

Dr Luke Kennard lectures at Birmingham University and has an effortless manner which beguiles and delights audiences wherever he goes . He is the youngest poet ever to be nominated for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, –The Harbour Beyond the Movie(2007) . Including selections from Planet ~ Shaped Horse , he never compromises in content or form ,drawing the audience to join him, not pandering to what they may think they want. Kennard is in the vanguard of contemporary poetry, leading, and setting the pace, catch him while you can . Death of Journalism was savage in its brevity, Elija a laconic delight ,with the wonderful line, ”All beautiful women think they can save the world, scoffs Simon, it’s a standard attendant pathology.”

It was a particular pleasure to see the event so well attended by an audience that included local LibDem MP Martin Horwood, adding his support to a very successful occasion.

Cheltenham Town Hall

In the evening “Pulp Diction” came to the Pillars Room at Cheltenham Town Hall, organised by Barnaby Eaton Jones , a variety night which mixed spoken word with music. Dan Parker performed two sets which delivered poetry backed by an electric guitar, exploring territory visited previously by Lou Reed and John Cale, whilst Martin Vogwell delivered a traditional folk set.

Local star and festival favourite Amy Rainbow took time out from supporting the likes of John Cooper Clarke to perform as part of the Imperfect Pair delivering Self Mastery, Mr Right and The Man Who Wore Tweed with her customary waspish self- assurance.

Amy Rainbow

Catherine Crosswell worked hardest on the night performing a poetry set, and a musical one, as one part of “Four Tart Harmony.”

Worcestershire and Gloucestershire has more than its fair share of talented female poets, and Catherine is amongst the best. She specialises in poems which commence with the everyday and mundane and then teleport into the surreal. Recipe for Success moves from home brewing to colonic irrigation, and cake baking becomes intensely erotic. Beautifully paced, brimful with ideas, and attention holding, her set was a pleasure and was warmly and enthusiastically received.

“Four Tart Harmony” closed proceedings. Comprising Dusty (Catherine), Bossy (Grace), Bakewell (Hattie) and Dotty (Mantha), they entertained and delighted with a well chosen and well executed acapella performance. Perfect stood out, as did an ambitious and successful closing mash of Fat Bottomed Girls and I Get Knocked down (But I Get Up Again). The Tarts looked good, sang clever arrangements well, and obviously enjoyed themselves – as did the audience.

Both events, although diverse and divergent in content, bore testament to the depth of talent around and augurs well for the continued success of future Poetry Festivals in Cheltenham.

Gary Longden 22/4/12

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Mouth & Music, Boars Head Gallery, Kidderminster

Posted on April 11, 2012 by garylongden

The Boars Head, Kidderminster

The Boars Head is a proper old fashioned pub, full of doors and nooks and crannies. It has also become a cultural hub in Kidderminster. When it first opened in 1888, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats and Tennyson were alive and writing. It is fitting that as part of an artistic platform which takes in art and music, poetry is now on the agenda in the guise of Mouth & Music, promoted by Heather Wastie and Sarah Tamar. Sarah took the lead for this evening with quiet assurance and a few poems of her own, as Heather was performing in the Brewers Troupe ensemble who were performing excerpts from Snug, a bespoke piece about a pub.

This was the fourth Mouth & Music and already it is gathering quite a following with over forty people crowded into the first floor gallery space leaving standing room only. The format comprises open mic slots for around three poems for which you can sign up on the night, a few acoustic guitarists, and a headline act which tonight were Brewers Troupe. The audience was pleasingly mixed including a healthy presence of young talent, the local boho crowd, writers groups and troubadours from Wolverhampton , Walsall and Worcester ( I may have missed other locations beginning in W).

The content was diverse. Jack Edwards delighted with a clever rehearsed performance piece in which the audience heard half a conversation he was ostensibly having on his mobile phone with an annoyed girlfriend. I like Jack. He writes well, performs his work dramatically, but not to the detriment of the content and engages well with the audience. Furthermore, he understands that “less is more”, after that piece he took the applause and sat down leaving us wanting more.

David Calcutt


David Calcutt also played the same hand of just one excellent piece, in this case Achillies ,a powerful discourse on death. A chance conversation resulted in him revealing the extent of his stage experience and that acting prowess shone. With no book as a shield, the classical imagery and lyrical verse unerringly found their mark. Also going for the single shot was Dave Francis, who performed an adaptation of Pinter’s Silence, a clever idea, very well executed.

Snug is unfolding as one of the best, and most frustrating projects I have seen. The concept is perfect, an ensemble performance of a collection of bespoke poems about a pub and the characters within them. The characters are memorably drawn, the drama poignant and amusing, the language a delight. The problem that they face is that with a cast of several, and a script written for the physical surroundings of The Hollybush in Cradley Heath, it is expensive to tour and awkward to make the action fit other surroundings. They overcame those constraints this time by producing a “greatest hits” set which worked well, and left those of us who know the material longing for more. Emma Purshouse’s anthropomorphic “Conchita the slot machine” is a wonderful creation, and one which the gambling industry would make millions from, if it were allowed. If previously you have never regarded slot machines as sexy, check out Emma in her long black Latino wig. Heather Wasties’ tipsy Edith was, by contrast, understated, but no less effective.

Acoustic guitar songs were performed by itinerant Ali 12 string, Omar Anthony and Kate Wragg, the latter of whom combined the voice of Joan Baez, the edge of Talking Heads, and the lyrical sharpness of Elvis Costello. A strong list of open micer’s included debutante David Hallard who acquitted himself well, Lisa Ventura with a defiant, and enjoyably breezy, “I Will Survive” set ,and the always striking and entertaining Suz Winspear ,whose Evil Trees is fast becoming, deservedly, her signature piece.

Mouth & Music returns on Tuesday the 8th May, 7.30pm with The Decadent Divas from Birmingham headlining.
Gary Longden 11/4/12

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Garyswordz- A Year On

Posted on April 9, 2012 by garylongden

Happy Birthday to me! Garyswordz is a year old in April and it seems opportune to both look forwards, and look back. When I started this I had no master plan about what Garyswordz was going to be, or idea as to what durability it would have. It was simply a self indulgent box in which to put things which were important to me . Since then, it has taken on a life of its own.

To date I have had 8,376 views. Looking at the monthly graph, it is fascinating to watch the growth. In April 2011, the first full month, it had 465 views, by August the 500 barrier had been broken with 593. September grew to 756 ,and January 2012 was the first month to break 1000 views, since when the numbers have continued to grow. In March, the views were 1175, tantalisingly short of the next milestone, 1,250.

Since 25th February, 2012 I have had 909 views from the UK, 350 from the USA, 71 from Australia and 20 from Canada . Those proportions from those (English speaking) countries remain constant. Beyond that there are some intriguing curiosities. Over the same period, citizens from 59 different countries have viewed including Burkina Faso, Paraguay, Iceland, Japan and Italy, from where I have been averaging a view a day. I have resolved to learn more of places which have not received the writing commitment from me which they clearly deserve! That is a commitment from me for year two of Garyswordz.

A fellow blogger whom I enjoy reading and spending time with is Poet Polymath Mal Dewhirst, who blogs under Polysworda. For the remainder of this piece I shall shamelessly plagiarise his format too.

What has annoyed me this week?:Sainsbury increasing the price of a small fruit/salad bowl by 50%.

What is DELIGHTING me this week?:The prospect of my poem about Pooley Hall being on permanent display on the Polesworth Poetry Trail.
Having a 1500 word article being accepted by Insidefutbol, the international online football magazine with a formidable roster of writers.

Listening to: Lynyrd Skynyrd in their pre-plane crash incarnation, specifically, “One More from the Road” and Street Survivors”.

Things I have been doing

Cheltenham Poetry Festival: On Saturday the 21st April I make my first appearance at this festival. Although previously I have slammed and read at Much Wenlock and Ledbury Festivals this feels like the biggest one so far. I am appearing with the wonderful Amy Rainbow in a double act as one half of the “Imperfect Pair” as part of the show “Pulp Diction”.

I see a lot of poetry, and continue to give much thought as to how it may best be presented. I enjoy good performance poetry; polemic , satiric and comic, yet in a single dose it has a relatively short currency in live performance. Page poetry too can be powerful, beautiful and mesmerising. But again like a rich cake, it can only be consumed, and appreciated, in small chunks.

What Amy and I are trying to achieve is a fusion of poetic and performance ingredients. The male female contrast offers an immediate contrast and counterpoint, as well as the benefit of two voices. But furthermore we seek to add conflict, different gender perspectives, humour and a narrative to the proceedings. Performed previously it has worked well. This time we are stretching it out with new material.

So I have been fine tuning and getting to grips with the material, having at last selected what we are going to do together. I hope it works!

The bill for the evening includes the fantastic Catherine Crosswell , Barnaby Eaton- Jones, Dan Parker and Mathew Vogwell, I hope to see many of you there.

Poetry Alight: After the success of the first open mic poetry evening at the Spark cafe, Tamworth St, Lichfield, I am now preparing for the next one on Tuesday 15th May. The problems are all positive. The standard, and attendance, at the launch event set a benchmark which will be tough to emulate. On the one hand there is a fairly defined list of things which will help make a poetry evening successful, on the other unique, or at the vet least distinctive, characteristics define the event. So I am aiming to reassure poets and audience alike with an appealing format, whilst at the same time trying to make the event special.
My strategy is clear. I aim to offer sufficient open mic slots to ensure that plenty of local poets can perform. I aim to ensure that serious page poetry has slightly the edge over performance poetry numerically (though not necessarily in impact), and I aim to introduce the local audience to poets whom they have not heard before (but I have, and whose quality I am confident of), and out of town poets to audiences who have not heard them.

Do join me on the 15th, admission is free, parking outside is free, the cafe is close to the railways station and is licensed.

Forgotten Poets: This is a dangerous category. Those who have never heard of poets with this soubriquet may not be interested, and those who have will not regard them as lost! So, with trepidation, I commend Christina Rossetti (1830-94).
Rossetti was an English poet who wrote a variety of romantic, devotional, and children’s poems. She is best known for her long poem Goblin Market, and her love poem Remember.

Although Goblin Market is ostensibly about two sisters’ misadventures with goblins, it may also be seen as an allegory about temptation and salvation; a commentary on Victorian gender roles and female agency; and a work about erotic desire and social redemption. Rossetti was a volunteer worker from 1859 to 1870 at the St. Mary Magdalene “house of charity” in Highgate, a refuge for former prostitutes and it is suggested Goblin Market may have been inspired by the “fallen women” she came to know. Very socially and politically aware, her father used to entertain Italian revolutionaries at their home, and sShe was opposed to slavery (in the American South), cruelty to animals and the expoiitation of girls in under-age prostitution.

Despite her low profile now as a poet, one piece of her writing will be known to millions across the English speaking world, by anyone who has ever attended a Christmas Carol concert – she wrote the poem “In the Bleak Midwinter”, first set to music by Gustav Holst and then by Harold Darke. It is one of the best known and loved Christmas lyrics opening:

“In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.”

She could write serious and popular pieces, she could also write with humour about her own mortality as she faced death with declining health in one of my favourite poems from her:

When I am dead, my dearest

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.

And to my reader in Burkina Faso, and you all, I say in Mandinka, “Foo Watido” – farewell.

Posted in Blog | 3 Comments

April 2012 – What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on April 1, 2012 by garylongden

Sun 1st ARTournament’s Sunday Chill,The New Inn in the centre of Gloucester (opp M&S) City Centre. 16 Northgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2. UK.First Sunday, £5in, 3pm-9pm. poetry, Comedy and Music.

Mon 2nd The SW@N Club – Spoken Word at the Newhampton, Wolverhampton
Meets every 1st Monday of the month (no club in August) at 8 pm – 10.30 pm. Admission – suggested donation on entry.
Storytelling, poetry, a tune or a song, take part in the open sessions or just sit back and enjoy the variety of performance. Most sessions are open spots but approximately every three months there is a performance in the second half by a professional artist (supported through donations).
The club meets in the upstairs room at the Newhampton Inn, Riches Street, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, WV6 0DW.
For further details please contact Peter Chand http://www.chandstory.com

Tues 3rd Night Blue Fruit, Taylor Johns, Canal Basin, Coventry 8pm: Free in Michael McKimm headlines

Tues 3rd Spire Writes,Helen Mort’s Spite Writes Poetry event in Chesterfield at Havana Whites bar, 12 Corporation Street, S41 7TP:
…with two brilliant poets from Hull. Joe and Mike have taken to the stage at festivals like Latitude, The Bi…g Chill and Freedom Festival, where they supported the legendary John Cooper Clarke.

Joe was the winner of Poetry Idol 10 at Shortfuse in Islington. Since then he’s had residences at Contact in Manchester, Birmingham REP, the Battersea Arts Centre and Hyperlexic presents: Poetry Boxing.

Mike’s work has been described as ‘humane, witty and sharp’. In 2009 he was part of a commission by Apples and Snakes and along with Joe, co-wrote and performed the ‘Guerrilla poetry’ project which was showcased at the London BAC.

Together, they’re the co-founders of Hull’s fantastic Write to Speak poetry night. Mike’s book ‘Coming to a Street Near You’ and Joe’s book ‘No Light / Might Escape’ are both published by Night Publishing.

There are a limited number of OPEN MIC slots available on the night. Please contact me if you want one. We’ll give preference to people who haven’t performed at Spire Writes before, but there should be plenty to go round.

The best bit? It’s absolutely FREE, so you can spend your money at the bar instead…

Havana Whites is 2 minutes from Chesterfield station (or 30 seconds if you’re Usain Bolt). We’ll finish in time for the last train back to Sheffield!

Wed 4th Misunderstood Monsters, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH,2pm: £8in:Saint George, the monster catcher, is on his most dangerous mission yet and he needs your help. But are the monsters as monstrous as they seem or are they simply misunderstood?
Overcome your fear of fiends, spiders, aliens and dragons through the power of spoken word and music with Aoife Mannix and Janie Armour with site specific digital game playing by Andrew Wilson.
A show for 4-8 year olds.

Wed 4th Speak Up – Spring Fling! Hare& Hounds Kings Heath, 7.30pm:£5,Adam Kammerling is real talented. I met him last year at Shambala and he was nice to me and his poems were real good and he rapped and I thought you’d like him alot too. This is his proper bio: Adam was born in 1984, nothing that happened after that will be of interest until around 1999, when driven by teen angst, he scrawled his first poetic dribblings. Then in 2005 he moved to Brighton, studied for an English Language degree and got himself mixed up in the hip hop scene. In 2007 he attended his first spoken word show and he liked it very much. Vanessa Kisuule: I heard lots of lovely things about Vanessa and in a recent trip to Bristol I got to meet her and she is simply delightful and her poems are just magical. One made me cry, it’s about a coffee shop and she will probably most definately do that one so you should come and see her if you need a grizzle. She has other poems that don’t make you cry and just leave you thinking Wowee, she is a real gem. and!Matt WindleMATT IS CARRYING THE OLYMPIC TORCH. no joke. He is amazing and I love him and he’s a boxer and he’s my ever patient partner in crime. You won’t be disappointed.
Open Mic Slots Avaliable!
Doors: 7.30pm
Price: £5/£4 NUS tiny pounds.

Thur 5th Blackdrop,New Art Exchange,39-41 Gregory Boulevard, NG7 6BE Nottingham,Blackdrop Spoken Word presents INYA FACE!! plus Guest Artiste,Roy McFarlane Poet Laureate for Birmingham! Editor of ‘Celebrate Wha?’
Ever want to get anything of ya chest! ever want to “seh sumting” to those that are always on at you?? Then come down to Blackdrop and let your words be heard!! Then come join us.
GIVING IT TO YOU LIVE AND DIRECT, TELLING HOW IT IS. SHARE YOUR WORDS AND OWN YOUR THOUGHTS TAKE THE OPEN MIC LET US HEAR YOU LOUD N PROUD!!!The Open Mic will be as ‘Open’ as possible the only boundaries for obvious reasons are NO Extreme views of racism,sexism,genderism or outright personal slander aimed at someone in the audience or on stage.
Apart form that, being in the positive Anything Else Goes! You wanna Rant Rave Rage ya way thru ya words n share dem then come along and give it watya want.
Because of the language content and material likely to be ‘aired’ at this event we advise that persons should be over the age off 16 to attend!
SO COME GIVIT WAT YOUVE GOT, LET SOME STEAM OFF
APRIL 5TH 2012! GRACE THE STAGE BE YOU POETS, SINGER SONG WRITERS. RAPPERS, GRIMERS, RANTERS STORY TELLERS BRING
WAT EVER FORMAT YOU DEAL WIV N LAY IT DOWN.
£3 ADMISSION ON THE DOOR!
Our Guest Poet is Roy McFarlane! Poet Laureate for Birmingham!!
Roy will be adding some of his words to the INYA FACE theme of the evening so come and hear what this talented West Midland Poet has got to say.
below is an article taken from a BBC profile on Roy;
Roy McFarlane has been writing poetry around the West Midlands for 10 years
Birmingham’s new Poet Laureate has been announced, and he is 47-year-old Roy McFarlane.
Roy, who was brought up in Wolverhampton before moving to Birmingham, has been writing poetry for over 10 years.
He applied to become the city’s poet laureate in August 2010 and made the final shortlist of five candidates.
And the mental health worker won the award after reading one of his poems at his final interview.
“You send in four poems and give a statement about what you intend to do for the year,” he told BBC WM’s Ed Doolan.
Roy, who is part of the National Academy of Writing based at Birmingham City University, is Birmingham’s 15th Poet Laureate and now has the responsibility to promote poetry across the West Midlands and beyond.
And that is something he is looking forward to as he carries the title for the next 12 months.
“There’s so much you can do when you find yourself in that position to promote and encourage poetry,” he said.
“Doors are open and you get invited into schools, prisons and communities and can do workshops, a presentation or teaching
around poetry.
BLACKDROP APRIL 5TH is INYA FACE!!!

Thur 5th Word Up Poetry Open Mic plus headliners,The Drum Arts Centre,The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU,0121 333 2444, http://www.the-drum.org.uk Seasonal monthly, first Thursdays, 8pm, £5in.j.morley@the-drum.org.uk

Thurs 5th Roshan Doug – Reading and Book signing, Waterstones, High St Birmingham;5.30pm, £2 in Launch of “What Ligh is Light”

Thurs 5th Parole Parlate, Little Venice Restaurant, St Nicholas St, Worcester: £3 in Set Bill of poetry.

Thurs 5th The Poetry Evening The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse,5 Castle Gates, with Liz Lefroy, 8pm free in, 8pm start.

Thurs 5th Yard of Tales,Joules Yard, rear of 53-55 High Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AF. Joules Yard is a unique venue with a licensed bar after 7pm, also serving tea and coffee. If you would like to order a vegetarian meal for the evening, provided by ‘The Green House’ please telephone 01858 463250. Market Harborough, Leicestershire,Meets first Thursday in the month.
Yard of Tales is a performance storytelling club hosted by Kevin Walker http://www.kevinwalker-storyteller.com
Come and join us in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the cafe bar that is Joules Yard. Sit back with a drink in hand and enjoy the tales that will enthral you. Laugh, jeer, cry and sneer but mostly have a damn good evening! Tickets £6 at door (includes nibbles).For further information – 0116 259 2233 or 01858 463250

Fri 6th Spoken Word & Music 20:30 The Hollybush The Hollybush, 53 Newtown Street, Cradley Heath B64 5EA Open mic liveatthebush@yahoo.co.uk From retirin host, Richard bruce clay:
Reminder, all, that this Friday, 6th April, is the last time I’ll be MCing at the Spoken Word ‘n’ music night at the Hollybush. It’s looking like a decent lineup – check it out on my ‘Events’ page. Kick off 8.30, free in. After that, the more than capable Jack Edwards and William Shatspeare get passed the torch. This is not quite the end of my involvement with spoken word events: I’m still intending to perform Geoff Stevens’ poem ‘A Dyin’ Breed’ at the tribute to him run by Al Barz and others at the Barlow Theatre Langley, last weekend in May. Yesterday, though, I finally sat down and got cracking on the long-promised second-novel-with-the-characte​r-Mary-Maitland-in-it: ‘Kingswinford Sunset.’ Do I think any part of it will lend itself to spoken-word performance? Definitely not. Have I blown myself into next week with the unparallelled excellence of the first sentence of Chapter Two? Unquestionably. If I continue to get this right, chums, there’s a few of you who’ll be quite put off the idea of accepting lifts off people in black Audis…”

Sat 7th Poets Place, Birmingham Central Library,2pm-4pm, free in, twice monthly:

Sun 8th Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop

Mon 9th in Nottingham Pub Poetry Nottingham The Canal house, Canal Street, ,8pm, Free in, Open mic

Mon 9th in Leamington spa PureandGoodandRight 7:30 The Sozzled Sausage Regent St, Open mic + guest poet, George Hardwick hosts, open mic plus Martin Daws,An electrifying poet whose live sets blend free musicality and innovative lyricism in a unique improvised theatre, Martin Daws’ work explores life,
nature and who the hell we think we are, anyway! Martin’s poetry shows a rare breadth of style and voice, and he has been introduced to an audience as ‘a thoroughly nice man’.

Martin is a double Farrago Slam Champ, and has been runner-up in both the Glastonbury Festival Slam and the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry. He received a coveted five star review on debut at the Edinburgh Festival (2008) and is the author of the acclaimed book/cd ‘Skin Tight the Sidewalk’.
Broadcast on numerous occasions, Martin has published in international journals, and performed extensively around the UK and Ireland. His musical collaborations with Electro-Acoustic Composer Rob Mackay have toured internationally, taking video of Martin in performance and recordings of his voice to multi-media performances in 4 continents.

Tues 10th in Wolverhampton, City Voices, City Bar, king St, 7.30pm: Set bill poetry with Simon Fletcher.

Tues 10th in Bridgnorth Tales at the Edge, White Lion Inn, Bridgnorth, Shropshire,Tales at the Edge is one of the country’s oldest and most established storytelling clubs, 8 pm.Hear tales, myths and legends from all over the world in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are new to storytelling, an experienced teller or just enjoy listening to stories. There is no charge for admission. With Mike Rust .

Tues 10th Mouth & Music, Boars head, Worcester St, Kidderminster: 7.30pm: Heather Wastie & Sarah tamar, open mic

Wed 11th in Derby ,The Quad , Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby, 19.30 Free in, A monthly night of performed poetry for everyone, new performers always welcome or just come and listen, Les hosts.

Wed 11th “Spread the Word!” The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ (look out for the Abbey Street car park signs from the new Derby ring road.) 8 for 8.15pm, Open Night,”Hurrah for England and St George!”
Flying Donkeys are pleased to present an Open Night of spoken word and music – tales, poems, prose, monologues and acoustic music of all kinds. Previous evenings have brought us a multitude of fabulous performers! Do come and join us as listener or performer – note if you would like to perform it helps to get in touch beforehand if you can so we can plan the evening.

With St George’s Day later this month, we thought we’d encourage contributions with a traditional English theme. St George and his dragon will of course feature!

Thurs 12th in Sheffield The Shipping Forecast Open Mic, Rude Shipyard Cafe,Abbeydale Rd Sheffield, :7.45 Hosted by Stan skinny

Fri 13th-15th April Much Wenlock Poetry Festival – see special heading for details

Sun 15th Roebuck, Chapel em le frith, Derbys: 5pm-8pm Derby Stanza.

Mon 16th Birmingham Stanza, Prince Of Wales PH, Moseley, 7.30pm.Free in.Reading and talking poetry.

Tues 17th in ADLZ Poetry Club Giggling Goblin Coffee Shop, Mill Lane, Ashby de la Zouch– 8:30, free in, with a licensed bar and great coffee. Brian Langtry hosts. Open mic poetry and folk, this night is gaining quite a following.

Wed 16th in Worcester Templar Poetry,Lamb & Flag, The Tything, Worcester, 8pm; Open mic, Alex McMillen, officiates

Wed 18th Storytelling Cafe, Kitchen Garden Cafe , York St Kings Heath 7.30pm (Doors 6.30pm),£7in,Tonight, the audience will be in charge! A special story menu will be available so the audience can order the stories that they desire. Maybe a small bite sized story as a starter, or perhaps a heart-warming soup? There might be something fishy going on in some of the stories but what will be the dish of the day? For dessert, perhaps something with some eastern spice and a touch of iced sorbet. Come along and join Graham Langley and the storytellers on this special night of stories.

Wed 18th- Sun 22nd The Cheltenham Poetry Festival – see special heading for details

Thurs 19th Poetry Night The Community Room, Erdington Library, Orphanage Road, Birmingham, B24 9HP. 7pm:Freee in, part of the writers retreat week.

Fri 20th Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage tavern, Byrkely St, Burton on Trent, 7.30pm , Free in, Open Mic, Gary Carr hosts.

Sat 21 st Poets Place, Birmingham Central Library,2pm-4pm, free in, twice monthly:

Sunday 22nd “Tell me on a Sunday” Storytelling, Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HS, 4pm – 6.30pm; Free in, Participants tell stories based around a specially selected theme, all with truth (and a good performance!) at their heart. Each month, five storytellers will be chosen to perform a seven minute story live.The events feature special guests and are curated by Cat Weatherill, one of Europe’s leading performance storytellers, who will also tell her own story.These events begin at 4pm with Story Supper, a chance to meet fellow audience members and story tellers over a special Cafe Ikonmenu. Performances commence at 5pm, finishing at 6.30pm.Theme: Feather and bones
Please note these events are intended for adult audiences. .
http://www.birminghambookfestival.org/events-2011/tell-me-on-a-sunday/?utm_source=BBF+MASTER+LIST&utm_campaign=eddd0a194f-Bham_Book_Fes_News_Aug_20118_17_2011&utm_medium=email

Sun 22nd Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival -until 28/4:http://www.literaryfestivals.co.uk/stratfordliterary.html

Sun 22nd in Digbeth Sunday Xpress Fourth Sunday Doors 1500, Start 16:30 Adam & Eve Bradford Street, Open mic, james kennedy

Sun 22nd in Shropshire Rhyme and Tells at the Six Bells in Bishops Castle, 8 pm – 10.30 pm. It is free admission and an open session for poetry, prose and storytelling, Mike hosts

Sun 22nd Flarestack Press , Double lunch of Instinct by Joel Lane and new work by David Hart,MAC, Birmingham, 7.30pm

Mon 23rd Bookmark Bloxwich “Sounds and Sweet Airs” , Spoken Word Special, Bloxwich Library: 7.30pm, David Calcutt and guests :Bloxwich Library Forum is joining forces with talented Midlands poets
next Monday to celebrate World Book Night and the birthday of William
Shakespeare!

An evening of free book giving and Shakespeare-inspired performance
poetry is being held at Bookmark Bloxwich in Elmore Row on 23rd April,
and members of the public are invited to drop in from 7pm for a 7.30pm
start.

While stocks last, free books marking World Book Night will be handed
out in the foyer of Bloxwich Library by volunteer book givers, plus an
evening of poetry entitled ‘Sounds and Sweet Airs’ will be available
for those who wish to stay on and make a night of it.

Guest Poets Marcia Calame, Charlie Jordan, Roy McFarlane and Bobby
Parker will be hosted by David Calcutt in the adjoining Bookmark
Bloxwich Theatre, and Floor Spots will also be available.

Admission to the World Book Night book giveaway is free, and admission
to Sounds and Sweet Airs costs just £4, tickets are available now and
on the night.

Booking is recommended for ‘Sounds and Sweet Airs’. Tel: 01922 655900.

Mon 23rd Alveston Manor Hotel, Stratford upon Avon 7.30pm £8 (Cabaret style. Bar available)The Very Grimm Brothers and,Their Open Mic Cabaret Show,The hilarious Very,Grimm Brothers,perform poetry to,music with a nod,to Shakespeare’s Birthday.The Very Grimm Brothers are Adrian Mealing,and John Denton (guitar) described variously as,‘Gilbert & George, almost Morecambe & Wise’,by Smoke & Mirrors Cabaret, and ‘Middle-class,rap.’ by William Coleman. Adrian is a Malvern,Poetry Slam Champ and John isn’t. But John’s,guitar playing is considerably more eloquent,than his brother-in-poetry’s axing of the air.Special guests:Cupcake obsessive, bidet doubter and lover of lists, Catherine Crosswell will share her,musings and perusings about foodstuffs,and the dangers of running.From juggling fi re to juggling men, from killing headlice to killing husbands, Amy Rainbow,has a poem for every occasion.
Are you a poet? You’re invited to the Open Micspot to perform your work. Call 01789 470185,to book your slot.

Tues 24th Word Wizards * New venue* Buckingham Hotel, opp the Pavillion Gdns ,Burlington Rd, Buxton 19.30. Open mic, £2.50 three minute slam format , Rob Stevens hosts More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com
01298 77362/ 0781 3289358£3 in , open mic. Rob Stevens hosts

Wed 25th “42″ Open Mic Night (Gothic, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy) Lunar Bar, New St Worcester, 7.30, Free in:

Thurs 26th April Bilston Voices, Metro Cafe Church St, Bilston: 7.30pm,£3in Emma Purshouse hosts:Jack Edwards, Iris Rhodes, Liz Lefroy, Bobby Parker, Win Saha.Line-up:

From Leicester, Andy Craven-Griffiths: “Andy Craven-Griffiths will blow you away. He’s new, exciting and strong. A talent for the page and the stage.” So says Lemn Sissay. You’d be wise to listen.

From London, Aoife Mannix: Aoife is a regular on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. She has been writer in residence for the Royal Shakespeare Company and toured around the world with the British Council, all to prepare for this gig at the Vic.

From Germany, Le Poonie: coming ot the UK for the first time, Carmen Wegge and Bente Varlemann make up one of Germany’s top poetry teams, and they bring funny and powerful poems delivered in perfect vocal choreography.

A very few open mic slots will be available on the door (the pre-bookable slots have all been claimed). For more info, contact bohdan@applesandsnakes.org.

When: Thursday 26 April, 7.30pm
Where: The Victoria, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1BN
Tickets: £5
Info: http://www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk / Facebook
Booking: on the door

Open mic: half of the open mic slots available via email ( bohdan@applesandsnakes.org), the other half can be claimed on the door on the day of the event.

Thursday 26th in Birmingham Hit the Ode, Victoria PH Birmingham , £5 in, Bohdan Piasecki hosts

Thursday, 26th,Big School KES,Stratford upon Avon 4.30pm £10 (under 18s: £5),Poetry Reading with Simon Armitage CBE Simon Armitage is undoubtedly the most popular and widely known poet of his 1960s-born generation: his work has been regularly anthologised and broadcast on radio and television, he is a playwright, writes for film, is a judge on national awards panels and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield. He has won many awards including the Keats-Shelley Prize,an Ivor Novello Award, a BAFTA, and the Sunday Times Young Writer’s Award.This is a unique opportunity to hear him read from his work in this exceptional venue.

Thursday, 26th April, Holy Trinity Church,Stratford upon Avon ,£12 each or £20 for both events (Restricted view tickets: £10 or £18 for both events) Complimentary drinks are available in the interval for those attending both events. 6.30pm Poet Laureate,Carol Ann Duffy CBE, Poet, playwright and freelance writer, Carol Ann Duffy is one of the most significant names in contemporary British poetry, and has achieved that rare feat of both critical and commercial success. She has won numerous awards including the TS Eliot Prize, Lannan Literary Award and the Whitbread Poetry Award. She will be reading from The Bees, which won the Costa Poetry Award, accompanied by musician John Sampson.

8.15pm Sir Andrew Motion, Silver – Return to Treasure Island,Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate between 1999-2009, introduces his eagerly awaited sequel to Treasure Island – Silver – featuring a cast of noble seamen, murderous pirates and tales of love, valour
and terrible cruelty. He will also be reading from his latest book of poems, The Cinder Path (shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry), Laurels and Donkeys on confl icts from 1914 to the war in Afghanistan, and his acclaimed autobiography In The Blood
– A Memoir of My Childhood.Andrew Motion’s poetry has received the Arvon/ Observer Prize, the John Llewelyn Rhys Prize and the Dylan Thomas Prize. He is Professor of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway andrecently co-founded The Poetry Archive.‘Motion is a beautiful lyricist, unpretentiously and precisely describing those things worth having even as he casts unsettling shadows across them.’ Robert Potts The Guardian

Sat 28th Variety Night, Imperial Ballroom, Bilston,7.30pm. £12 inc curry. Poets Steve Rooney and Kieren King, plus Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, Al Rudge, Melisssa Harrison and Christopher Hammond.

Posted in Midlands Poetry What's On | 2 Comments

The Cheltenham Poetry Festival Preview 18th- 22nd April 2012

Posted on March 31, 2012 by garylongden

When Cheltenham Poetry Festival launched in 2011 it was described as ‘a triumph’ by poet Alison Brackenbury, now in its second year it has returned bigger and better with 95 performers over 5 days.

The festival runs this April and offers music, theatre, rap and hip-hop, animation, workshops, live literature events and even a theatre show featuring a live graphic novel! “Pulp Diction” on Saturday night looks particularly good, particularly because it includes me, Amy Rainbow, and Catherine Crosswell.

The line up includes Tv Presenter and poet Owen Sheers, Hip-hop star Dizraeli, Cheltenham Comedy Festival headliner Monkey Poet, acclaimed poet Penelope Shuttle, slam-champs Ash Dickinson and Jack Dean, the animation and poetry show Under Stokes Croft, a showcase of poets from Worcester Literary Festival, a four team slam, prize winning poet Cliff Yates, a touring show by Martin Figura entitled Whistles, Helen Ivory, Helen Mort, James Bunting, ‘The Brewery Bard’ Barnaby Eaton-Jones, Bobby Parker, Dan Burt, Alison Brackenbury, Gary Longden, Amy Rainbow plus much much more.

Stand-up for Poetry
Wednesday 18 April 2012 at 6:30pm
Venue: The Everyman Other Space Studio
Tickets: £5

A slam-tastic showcase of spoken word stars!

Take Heart
Wednesday 18 April 2012 at 7:45pm
Venue: The Everyman Other Space Studio
Tickets: £5

A heartwarming play written by three poets.

Pitch Black Poetry
Wednesday 18 April 2012 at 9:30pm
Venue: The Everyman Other Space Studio
Tickets: £5

Illuminating poetry, served up in the dark.

Out of the Depths.
Wednesday 18 April 2012 at 7:0pm
Venue: Highbury Church
Tickets: FREE

VOICES: With Helen Calcutt and Debra Hannis
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 12:30pm
Venue: The Muffin Man
Tickets: £7/5

Music and poetry.

Domestic Cherry.
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 2:0pm
Venue: Tailors
Tickets: £5/4

A poetic happening!

Edward Thomas. From Gloucestershire to Arras.
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 6:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham College
Tickets: £5/4

Edward Thomas, a talk.

Poetry and all that Jazz.
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 8:0pm
Venue: Slak Bar
Tickets: £5/4

Polish poet Bohdan Piasecki with acclaimed poet and improviser Martin Daws.

A musical Tribute to William Blake.
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 8:0pm
Venue: Meantime
Tickets:

Cheltenham Poetry Festival High School Slam
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 7:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Tickets: £5

Cheltenham Poetry Society showcase
Thursday 19 April 2012 at 11:0am
Venue: The Muffin Man
Tickets:

CHELTENHAM POETRY SOCIETY presents Sex, Love and Death

Poetry Cafe Showcase
Friday 20 April 2012 at 11:0am
Venue: The Muffin Man
Tickets: £5/4

A showcase of poetry from the Poetry Cafe clan!

Stroud Pamphlet Poets
Friday 20 April 2012 at 12:30pm
Venue: The Muffin Man
Tickets: £5/4

A poetry showcase from the acclaimed Stroud Pamphlet Poets.

Cracking on with The Grey Hen Press.
Friday 20 April 2012 at 2:0pm
Venue: The Frog & Fiddle
Tickets: £5/4

Joy Howard and the Grey Hen Press.

Poetry Cafe with Philip Rush and guests
Friday 20 April 2012 at 3:30pm
Venue: Tailors
Tickets: £6/4

Fergus Mcgongal and Joel Denno
Friday 20 April 2012 at 5:0pm
Venue: The Muffin Man
Tickets: £5/4

Penelope Shuttle and Angela France
Friday 20 April 2012 at 6:30pm
Venue: Francis Close Hall
Tickets: £7/5

Stanza Up and be Counted.
Friday 20 April 2012 at 7:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Tickets: £7/5

3 stand-up poets take to the stage.

Whistle.
Friday 20 April 2012 at 8:30pm
Venue: Cheltenham College
Tickets: £7/5

A stage play by poet Martin Figura.

Slam! 2012
Friday 20 April 2012 at 9:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Tickets: £7/5

A fast and furious spoken word stand-off.

Jennie Farley and Carolyn Finlay
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 12:30pm
Venue: The Exmouth Arms
Tickets: £5/3

Matthew Barton – nature poetry
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 12:30pm
Venue: Meantime
Tickets: £5/4

Mark Blayney, Philip Rush and Avril Staple
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 1:0pm
Venue: Waterstones
Tickets: FREE

Cliff Yates & Anna Saunders
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 2:0pm
Venue: The Exmouth Arms
Tickets: £5/3

Perfectly Performed!
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 2:0pm
Venue: The Brewery
Tickets: FREE

A smorgasbord of delicious spoken word morsels…

Helen Ivory & Bobby Parker.
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 3:30pm
Venue: The Muffin Man
Tickets: £5/3

Nine Arches Poetry Jukebox
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 5:0pm
Venue: The Exmouth Arms
Tickets: £6/4

THE SOUND OF TRAGEDY with Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra.
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 5:0pm
Venue: Meantime
Tickets: £4/3

Carcanet Press presents Alison Brackenbury, Dan Burt and PJ Kavanah
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 6:30pm
Venue: Francis Close Hall
Tickets: £5/4

Pulp Diction
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 8:0pm
Venue: The Two PIgs
With Amy Rainbow, Gary longden, Catherine Crosswell and many more
Tickets: £5

FREE CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS.
Saturday 21 April 2012 at 11:0am
Venue: The Brewery
Tickets: FREE. NO NEED TO BOOK !

Under Stokes Croft by Jack Dean.
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 6:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Tickets: £7/5

A live graphic novel with stop-motion animation by MC and poet Jack Dean.

Dizraeli & The Small Gods
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 9:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Tickets: £12/8

‘UK Hip-Hop has not seen anything like this before’. Certified Banger.

Worcester Literary Festival’s all star slammers!
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 11:0am
Venue: The Frog & Fiddle
Tickets: £5/3

MINING THE WORD HOARD: a potted history of word creation in poetry
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 12:30pm
Venue: Tailors
Tickets:

Poetry In Store with James Bunting.
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 1:30pm
Venue: Waterstones
Tickets: FREE

DUMB MESSENGERS with ROSS COGAN AND GILES GOODLAND
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 2:0pm
Venue: Tailors
Tickets: £5/4

Jennie Farley Poetry Writing workshop.
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 2:0pm
Venue: The Frog & Fiddle
Tickets: £10/7

The Breakfast Bard.
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 3:0pm
Venue: Waterstones
Tickets: FREE

Owen Sheers
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 3:30pm
Venue: Cheltenham College
Tickets: £7/5

Charles Tomlinson
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 5:0pm
Venue: Cheltenham College
Tickets: £5/4

Helen Mort and Adam Horovitz.
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 6:30pm
Venue: The Frog & Fiddle
Tickets: £5/4

Occupy Poetry Final Night Party!
Sunday 22 April 2012 at 7:0pm
Venue: Slak Bar
Tickets: £5

Posted in Midlands Poetry What's On | 1 Comment