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30th August, 2018 

THEATRICAL EVENING WITH ADRIAN BROWN AT AUGUST WRITE ANGLE

“What I like is that you are so inclusive,” said one of Write Angle's open mikers and it's not the first time we've been told that. In its 12 years, Write Angle has brought in a huge variety of guest poets, musicians and open mikers of all kinds as well as those who just want to come and enjoy the evening.

After a highly successful career in theatre and television, Adrian Brown, our August guest, returned to his first love, poetry. His performance at Write Angle was theatrical and humorous. Commandingly assured, he generated beaming smiles and bursts of laughter all across the room.

He explained that, if he had been placed in charge of the world when it was created, he'd have changed quite a number of things. In his book, A Blast of Blasphemy, he explained how. In High On the Hoof, he asked " if you ever know what the cows are doing when you aren't looking.” In fact, “she stands all day in liquid mud chewing the hallucogenic cud.” Ego Unplugged told how “One deplores those narcissistic troubadours who seek the chance....free to talk about myself.” Calumny spoke of god – “others cast you as a counterfeit, hinting you only manage to survive by means of heavenly housing benefit procured by some divine P45.” 

He is a loveable performer who was able to lure in several of his fan club. Is it the 'Zany Poets Club of London', of which he is Poet Laureate?' A clever and intelligent humourist who had everyone on the edge of their seat.

At the open mic, without his hammer dulcimer this time, Bruce Parry read a short story, Too English to Go Abroad. This dealt with how strange members of a touring coach found the food on their first trip in mainland European countries. Colin Eveleigh's found poem, Overheard, lines from thirty different people, strung together and built into an almost sensible poem. Shall we Dance followed, dealing with relationships: “Someone you thought would always be there, or a person for whom you no longer care.” Finally, Red Dot, about exhibiting his pottery – yes pottery, not poetry – at the Festival Hall Exhibition - “Hang on, I've sold the lot.” Not only that but he came in 'first' in the pottery awards. 'my second time' he told us. 'The last was 15 years ago!'

Ross Chapman performed This Isn't the Sign of the Cross - “You have to be careful to measure the words that you say”. Then Hoseasons, whose brochure promises so much - “...sensual landscapes in which you and I coming together at last under nightfall...hoping to find unquenchionable wonders...” Dick Senior's Spoonbills at Pagham - “With the world gone wrong...this eye of the storm...is gentle.” Then the lyrical Midsummer's Day - “swifts mate in the air” – “I saw a couple join and drop like black sickle-winged stones that dropped through the sharp, blue sky.” Rib-tickling Just Another Day in the Penile Clinic poked gentle fun at the men who attended it. On a more serious note, Aleppo Gardener's Son dealt with the war in Syria - “When he cries, you're crying too”.

Ray Vogt played his amazing, bell-like, resonating guitar while singing Willie McTell's Wake Up Mama - “I'm goin' to the country, baby do you want to go? And Hank Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - “Hear that lonesome whippoorwill, He sounds too blue to fly...” Mike Spilberg performed The Ur Snake's Soliloquy - “The vilain of the piece is held to be me but I am her private joy.” Tiny World was followed by Vegging Out – “...I stand perplexed: the spud's eyes winking at me in the gloom.”

Jezz on Guitar, an all-time favourite, accompanied by Happy Jack Poulton on Cajon (a square drum to those of us who know no better), played and sang Poppies by John K. Wozniak - “... his majesty sent soldiers and thieves to India searching for gold. Instead, from the ground, some magic they found, something far better I'm told. Yeah, poppies.” Then The Cure's Catch: “And she used to fall down a lot. That girl was always falling again and again. And I used to sometimes try to catch her but never 
even caught her name.” They rounded off the evening with Steve Earle's Copperhead Row: “I wake up screaming like I'm back over there. I learned a thing or two from Charlie don't you know. You better stay away from Copperhead Road.” 

It was a well-attended evening with a responsive audience. The raffle sponsor was a new find; the excellent India Quay at Port Solent with free meals for two won by one of the lucky audience!


 

   
   

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