wordfringe
2009
1st–31st May 2009
Reviews
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Brian Johnstone, Richard Ingham and Louise Major
Sunday 3 May 2009
Pennan Village Hall [Map]
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L to R: Brian Johnstone, Richard Ingham, Louise Major
Photo by Cal Wallace
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Wordfringe's day at Pennan finished — literally — on a high note, with
an evocative and colourful weave of word and music performed by the three-legged
phenomenon that is Trio Verso. Brian Johnstone — award-winning poet,
and director of StAnza — enunciated his perfectly-crafted lines in such a
way as to provide a framework onto which two talented and versatile musicians stitched
and embroidered their response, to perpetuate an impressive, living tapestry of
sound. Never have I seen a double-bass used, or even abused, in such a way as to
emit the chirps, twangs and whines that Louise Major produced. This unforeseen delight
was enhanced and complemented by the bizarre clarinet-play, and blasphemous saxophony
of Richard Ingham, who had taken to the floor for the second time that day. It came
as a surprise to many to discover that the musicians were actually taking their
cues directly from Brian's poems, rather than from music scores. Indeed, all the
music at this event was improvised. It was an unexpected treat.
Cal Wallace
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