Review: Demented Eloquence
Performance poetry showcase
Cellar 35, Aberdeen
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Compered by the scary, lairy and hairy Rapunzel Wizard, who started off the
evening with a selection of his own anarcho-comedic performance poetry, then introduced
us to a quartet of diverse poets, in fact you couldn't get more diverse than the
four performing tonight.
Haworth Hodgkinson gave us weird quirky wordplay from his randomly selected
poems in his inimitable style. A special mention goes to his enigmatic train timetable
piece, Concourse, which refers to stations which no longer exist, something
that makes it all the more enigmatic.
The explosive Grant Fraser had us speechless in our seats for his set of
angry rantings which included Death Fuck. I've seen this poem on the page,
but it is onstage where Grant Fraser is best. He really walks it like he talks it,
a hard hitting performer, a guitarless punk.
Gordon Campbell gave us wry commentary on various subjects and was well received
by the audience. I've often thought of him as very much Burns influenced, but it's
clear there's more to him than that.
All the way from Holland, Aberdeen's own Sid Ozalid was promoting his book
Mr Elastic Brain; Sid is an engaging performer who really can work an audience.
He had us in stitches with comments to the crowd, a riposte to a heckler, poems
about his family, nonsense poems, and hilarious poems. What a hugely entertaining
poet he is.
The open mic spots were good also, Richie Brown being the highlight for me,
with his poem Riot Act.
What a great way to spend a Friday night — listening to the wonders of Demented
Eloquence!
I look forward to the next one in October!
Review by Mark Pithie
Photos by Cal Wallace
North East Writers and its partner organisations undertake to produce
all events in the New Words festival as advertised, but we can accept no liability
for details that are changed due to circumstances beyond our control.