Spliff Richards leaves June Write Angle audience breathless

Spliff took over the room as soon as he was on stage. He may have come from Petersfield but he's Brighton personified. Long, thin, tattooed, twisted beard and hair bound up – not your typical Write Angle performer – he performs in rapid-fire style yet you don't miss a word and though he doesn't pause for breath, he leaves the audience breathless. They loved him and applauded after each poem. He has an easy relaxed style. 'This is a special night for me' he smiled, thinking back to his youth spent in Liss.

He covered a wide range of issues, from race, speaking of South Africa's 'fences ten feet tall, guns, Apartheid; to being told by kids he was 'half caste' . 'You're just not caucasian. You have 20% more chance of incarceration' - to 'Nostalgia', where he points out the dangers. '... such a sweet intoxication', - to think things were different 'then' than now'. He covered faith to inequality; paper qualifications to natural talent. 'Schools are not the only way to get smart'. 'If you're not good in school, you'll fail in life'. 'I didn't listen when they said you can't make a living as a poet.'

'Embrace every age'., he says.'I've seen 20 year olds complain. He compares burning and looting to 'the government sending forces to lay down their lives'. '... religion is not the only place to find God. 'Academia is just a flavour'. 'Stand together but think alone' 'Kids don't learn from what they're taught. They learn from what they're shown. 'A pessimist', he said, 'says things can't get any worse'. 'Oh yes they can', says the optimist! Again the house filled with laughter.
He believes , 'Without faith, all of life would fall apart'. 'Is it better to believe a lie or disbelieve a truth'. He wouldn't have gigs if he didn't have faith in his promoters. Though we all have faith in something, it separates us as well. His 'Big Family' reminded us 'we're all in it together- no matter who or what you are'. 'The lessons of life take a lifetime to learn'.

'The only way to appreciate life is to appreciate death'. Actor Brendan O'Connor commented, 'I loved Spiff. Powerful stuff he spouted!' He wasn't alone. The audience was equally taken with this gentle but well, Spoken-Word artiste!

At the Open Mic, Richard Hawtree read 'In Flashy Flip Flops', based on a poem by the ancient Greek poet, Anacreda. I'm trying to do a 'strange impression of obscurity', Everyone laughed. 'The God of love makes contact once again' He spoke of a beautiful woman, but realised he hadn't a chance as 'her eyes press a younger woman to dance'. A nice break from his usually ''more' obscure poems. Brendan O'Connor read 'Be with me' – a conundrum. 'Be with me. Not quite black. Not quite white. My body feels my soul is leaving...I would ask never to be lonely' Then, 'A Thousand Lives'. 'Do we know this ancient pet, or are we its ancient secret'. (cats) Finally, 'AEIOU' about 'round vowels'. Again laughter.

The delightful Phyllida Carr played 'I want to go home' and 'The runaway train' on harmonica as the audience sang along. Sorrel Wood read love (or hate) poems. 'For what it's worth'. About being 'pretty much grown up now' ending with 'I'll keep on loving you until I die'. Then, 'Letting go'. 'I cannot, will not – let you go'. Bruce Parry played a romantic American love song on his dulcimer, then read a two-part poem about Mr and Mrs Bright. First, describing their 'Spanish root' style house with 70's furniture, in Spain. Then 'A Car Boot somewhere in England', where the table was topped with all their Spanish goods including soap on a rope.

Bruce ended with an Irish song, 'Geese in the Bog' on his dulcimer. Lovely music and sound. Audi Maserati, ever a favourite with the audience – spoke of his love for 'The Game of Thrones', then read 'two diametrically opposed poems' (to more laughter) – about 'girls who make you crazy even before you know their names' – seeing them on beaches, etc...then 'The pointless song' (that makes a point)' 'would you ever go out dancing in your dressing gown?' Maybe it's worth a try!' (point taken)

He then played the ukulele, 'Imagine that the moon was not as big as you supposed', 'all those lovers lost under a moonlit sky' and those 'love songs left unsung'. This led to yodeling which he loves doing! Audi was on top form. Chris Sangster played 'Times I wonder' on the guitar, about how 'things get better when I see the sun in the sky'. Then, 'Goodbye Love', 'You're leaving on that train'. (memories of good times). Tim Dawes said his mother taught him 'Definition of a gentleman is one who owns a ukulele but doesn't ever play it'. He then read 'Climate Changing Season', about how seasons were fixed..now they've lost themselves with change of climate and with that change, 'some purity is lost'. Following that, how sonnets were originally written by men to get women into bed. Then a bit of fun as he implored Jezz (not quite convinced) to be the recipient of his sonnet as he recited, 'Should I return to time when we were two entities not yet joined......(not sure it achieved its objective).

Jezz and Matt teamed up with guitars to sing 'It's a marvellous night here in Petersfield'...followed by 'Back to Basics' – two love songs. Rich and emotional, with elements of fun. It's hard to leave not singing his songs. G Rimes read 'Self Editing'. How he loves tapping away at the keyboard, hand picking each word. Ending with 'who says you can't polish a nerd'. All in all, a good guest and open mic evening. The audience loved it and their enthusiasm was obvious. The raffle sponsor was India Gate, the great Chichester Indian restaurant and the prize went to someone who's won many times before. We promise – it's not 'fixed'!