Steve Tasane and Patience Agbabi appear at the Write Angle

07/08/2013

July's Write Angle was one of the best.... an 'electrifying' evening! ...an unexpected packed house in spite of the scorching heat - which didn't even come 'near' the warm enthusiasm of the audience.

Comments received; 'There was a lovely, vibrant atmosphere and a strong sense of community. You have really created something special in Petersfield' (Patience Agbabi); 'Twas brilliant!' (Steve Tasane), The best I've been to!' (Cliff Oakley); 'I loved it Big Time!' (Michael Usuwana); 'It was a very good evening' (Charles); 'Great night on Tuesday' (Nick Molyneux); 'Great night last night; thanks for organising it! That young chap was amazing! -ref to Michael Usuwana; (Jackie Winsor); 'What a wonderful evening. Best ever!', (Phyllida Carr); 'best I've been to. Terrific! One of my students came -first time- and she loved it too' (Chris Sparkes).

Guest performers, Patience Agbabi & Steve Tasane wowed the audience. Steve doing 'Save the Libraries' (rap style), 'make some noise' – a story using all cockney rhymes, 'not a dying language – quite the opposite'. Called 'Glasgow Danger' – a dangerous seeming guy who turned out '..a China plate', was in love with Steve's sister....Steve's new 'young adult novel', soon to be released, in poetry form, about a 15 year old teenager in a 20 story council estate, being attacked by giant killer bedbugs (look like bubble wrap). He did three poems from the book, all from the boy's point of view – one describing the tower block, what life is like in 'the finger', and 'Sis', 'not your sister but she's like your sister. She might be sweet but she's one mean mother'. Then, the Alphabet rap'. Steve moves swiftly and deftly..brilliant poet and performer!

Patience Agbabi, (from Gravesend, Kent) - told John Haynes she lost her luggage because of him. '..so involved reading his book, 'You'., the train pulled away with her luggage still on it'. She stole the evening! First a love/hate poem, using colours: 'I remember when we made the colour purple....my eyes are red from missing you'.

Her main project now is updating Chaucer's 14th century Canterbury Tales. As Canterbury Laureate, she's working on all 24 tales in poetry slam with her characters travelling from London to Canterbury on a Routemaster bus. She dramatises each saga in heroic couplets, monologues, rap of other contemporary forms of speech – just as Chaucer did in his day. -only don't even bother comparing! Her ability to switch accents and dialects makes each character come alive.

A Nigerian woman, 'I have 5 husbands, one, 'he 'wicked in bed. So handsome', but evil. She got even! Her ability to make her smile go from loving to 'wicked'. Patience, as petite as is her presence, filled the room. She mesmerised everyone! In her poem, 'Unfinished Business', - she refers to the quote, 'conveniently, cowardice and forgiveness look identical at a certain distance. Time steals your nerve' (Jonathon Nolan, Mementos). Then 'That night, it rained so hard, it was biblical. The Thames sunk the promenade, spewing up so much low life. It’s a week since they beat up my wife, put five holes in my daughter. I know who they are. I know why. I’m three shots away from the parked car in a blacked-out car park. My wife cries, Revenge too sweet attracts flies'... A poem that hits the bone. Patience, still working on her book, expects it to be out by April '14.

We're absolutely delighted to have her back in 2014, as well as Steve Tasane.. Two perfectly memorable performers!

Speech Painter's visits are always welcome. He was as hilarious as ever, with everyone in stitches, (we're all kids at heart) with his version of 'Cat in the Hat'. 'I do not love thee, Will I am...will you love the songs of Wham'... Nick Molyneux, guitarist/singer, was brilliant with songs about murderers on life sentence 'discovering their inner freedom through meditation in prisons' - from his new CD (collaborated with George Marsh) – many sold. John Haynes, author of the popular 'You', read 'Sethee's Dad', and was called back for more! The witty Dave Allen, brilliant.

The charismatic Audi Maserati started with a yoga stretch, lauded Bertold Brecht, did 'The Ballad of The Dancing Fox' and got his usual warm welcome. Michael Usuwana performed confidently 'pleading to his mum to hear him, and 18-22 months from now...you will know the Mobile Poet'....there was much applause. Jilly Funnell lamented poetically of the 'death and sorrow' poems on BBCs 'Poetry Please'. Chris Sangster performed 'Stressing the Postive', 'an Hour of Coping' and 'The Nettles of Pain, Suffering and Fear'.

Chris Sparkes read a poem called 'Vintage', then played his cuatro and harmonica to Bob Dylan's 'Sara'. Dave Allen cleverly managed to use different teas in 'You're my Cup of Tea'. 'I'll go the camomile'...Michael Sherman, a 'bit' cynical of people in planes going somewhere while he gardened away and Barry Smith, Chichester Festival's Organiser, sang the praises of his beloved rose garden in wonderful visual imagery. A strong poet!

David Roberts took three Woody Allen film titles and cleverly characterised each – he plans to add more. (was the 'Yank' in the back of the room the only one who knew what he was on about). Jake read 'Little Miss Muffet who couldn't love a spider she'd met on the web, while Leah read 'Be careful wiping your child's bum. She may be cleaning yours one day.'

A brilliant evening was had by all!!! People staying way past the end! There was a 'magic' bonding the audience, beginning to end. And, it wasn't the first time Write Angle was told (by its guest performers) what a good reputation it has in the UK Poetry field - still always good to hear. We hope if you haven't yet come, you will join us one evening and see for yourself!

A lucky winner (not her first time) won the raffle for The Half Moon, at Sheet. Great ambience, excellent food and service.