After a late start - the guy who usually does the sound had doubled booked and was rehearsing with his band so we had to wait for the cavalry to arrive though we were rolling by nine. I don’t know how this affected the mood of the comperes’ especially Darren Thomas on his debut, though, to be fair, it didn’t seem to phase him at all.

Sandre Clays started off reading a poem of her husband John’s and later read some of her own admirable work. Listening to one poet read another’s work gives another dimension to the writers work as the reader brings their own interpretation to it and Sandre did both John’s and her own work full justice.

Paul Blackburn raised the roof with his bombastic rendition of Policeman In My Head and who could forget the line about the toaster?

Julian Jordan gave an emotional return to the stage following an illness, though his early nervousness disappeared as he got into his stride. Similarly, Janet Bamber over came her debut jitters to climb onto the stage and give an assured performance.

Dermot Glennon performed a great beat-poet type piece as well as his poem about Laura, a satire on stalking. He was followed by Tabitha Sims who gave us an alternative view with her poem which was a Dorothy Parker style, witty reflection on the dating game.

Pete Crompton’s “Empty room” was a sensitive reflection about loss. He paints a picture of a cool beautiful room but with a gothic chill. This blows through the uninhabited room and into the following stanzas. Pete also compered the second half of the gig. His skill and awareness of other poets make him an empathic compere and put the performers at ease. These breaks from the usual styles, illustrates how all the poets are developing their cannon. Although they may be recognised for their specific styles, they are all are diversifying their repertoires.

Martin Higgins returned and gave a realist slant to life, equal to his psychedelic stuff, although a complete antithesis to his usual style.

One of the rising stars of the show is regular Baz Alder. Baz arrives at the pub at around 8pm, sits at the bar and writes a poem, and then performs it at the start of the second half. Baz is mad, but he does write and perform topical, insightful poems about current affairs, on this occasion his subject was wheelie bins! His contribution is becoming an eagerly anticipated segment in the night’s proceedings.

After Darren Thomas’s acidic wit as compere we were given his poem about spaghetti hoops, shooting stars and fat bottomed girls - well one in particular. Whilst Darren brought a romantic stance to a relationship break down, John Togher didn’t. John’s style differs from most other poets as he’s a short story writer and has a surreal, yet macabre, slant to his work. His slow, burning story telling is akin to a vampiric version of Jackanory!

Overall I think this night is improving and this is due to the calibre of the regular performers; of the poets, by the poets.

I would recommend this and any of the other WOL nights to anyone so if you haven’t been to performance poetry before maybe now is the time to try it!

In a new departure for WOL, Louise Coulson, who is the coordinator for Wigan, interviewed some of the performers and audience at this event.

Interview with Darren Thomas - Debut Compere

LC: You looked confident for a first timer, how was it for you?

DT: Painful like any woman, it was pleasant towards the end and it got better as it went along.

LC: You appeared to enjoy audience interaction; do you find that improvisation comes easy to you?

DT: It did, but it wasn’t possibly what I had in mind. What I wanted to say on the feed of poet’s poems left my mind as I got back onto the stage. It’s difficult to keep what they have just read in mind.

LC: Did you find compering more difficult than reading you own poetry?

DT: I found it absorbing. My compering may have fuelled other people’s prejudices of what my own poetry may be about.

LC: How do you see the role of compere?

DT: One compere all night, as an individual compere. It takes at least three or four intros and feeding back on performances to get into it.

LC: What would you do differently next time?

DT: Stay at home.

LC: What tips would you give to someone considering compering?

DT: Be aware of what you have planed before you are on stage will dissolve in to a soup of adjectives, verbs and nouns and have to pick them out with a fork and knife. Beware of audience reaction but don’t give a !*@%

Interview with Paula & Clare – first time audience members
LC: What is your impression of poetry?

P&C: Never really thought about it since school really; It’s been quite good tonight not what I expected. Wasn’t really sure what it was like until I came down here this evening. I come down here and listen to the stuff they are doing again though.

LC: Would you have a go at writing some after what you have heard so far tonight?

P&C: I haven’t written any poetry. No. It’s not really my kind of thing. Clare probably would. It’s more your sort of thing isn’t it? (nods)

LC: Who did you like?

P&C: Just taking it in it’s hard to say but I like the ideas.

Interview with Featured Poet – Dermot Glennon

LC: I’ve not met you before. I believe you regularly attend poetry nights in Manchester. What made you come to Wigan WoL?

DG: I had heard about it and was told it was a good venue and a popular night for performance artists. The news was sent to my email for the first time too, so I thought I would find out what it was about. I did have trouble finding the venue at first because driving round Wigan is weird it all looked so similar.

LC: How long have you been writing poetry?

DG: Since 2000. At that time I was looking to write a novel and got
diverted. I rebelled at primary school, when I really started writing. My teacher didn’t like what I had done, as it was my own thing and then told a different story to my mum and dad. My parents supported me.

LC: Which poets inspire you?

DG: Bad ones! When things are dreadful I feel inspired! Seriously T S Eliott and W B Yeats but I wouldn’t even try and emulate their style. I think we all have to find a language of our own to develop our thoughts.

LC: Which poets do you most despise?

DG: Sorry I can’t say he’s here tonight and I have a knife (laughs) I can’t stand Wordsworth. I don’t believe he thought about daffodils.

LC: Well the theory goes that it was his wife Dorothy that made the observation that they looked like a ring of golden flowers.

DG: Yeah men don’t think about flowers much believe me! I think he’s (Wordsworth) a liar. I think people like him are responsible for keeping people away from poetry. People believe that’s the ideal and it isn’t especially not for poets now. Poets reflecting on today’s world.

LC: What would you like to see at a Performance Poetry night?

DG: Someone disembowelling Wordsworth! I think most night are good overall and we all tend to entertain one another. I like coming across new performers. There are lots of different styles about now and it really isn’t like anything you will find else where, it is definitely becoming more popular and gaining a bigger audience. I love hecklers and a gong for the audience to get rid of you if they don’t think you should be there!

What a great review Louise, though I am sure I overcame my earlier confidence and ended up nervous!

I thought the night's organisaiton was particularly good. Three cheers for the impresario (you).

Mad eh Louise?
Ha. I'm in good company then.
I particularly enjoyed Martin's poem on this occasion.
He's bonkers too.

Ooh dear. It takes some doing to go from 'unknown' to despised in one night. It seems that Dermot and me have got off on the wrong foot. Who was it that said, "He's the sort of person you take an instant dislike to because it saves time"?

Louise and her efforts on the night are always apparent for everyone to see and the night was no exception. I'm still not sure that my quotes are what I actually said. Tell me Louise - have you ever thought of joining the Police?

I love the interviews Louise. A brill idea. A whole new genre opening up here.
I am bit concerned about Darren's comments about the accuracy - need to check our legal cover. Nah, when you are compering you don't remember anything most of the time.
You were ace Darren; wonderful dahling! And you don't get ou of compering again that easily.
A really good night all round.

Bonkers Baz - and Martin, too
mad poets at the Tudor
reading things that are all made up
Cos that is what we do there

I'm quite liking this 'Bonkers' prefix to my name, cos when I do a shit poem, instead of being despised for wasting peoples time, folk will simply say 'aaawww, it's a shame, he's a bit mad' and clasp me to their bosom and make me a nice cup of tea!
Life improves!

It's called Poetry in the community!

Baz's bonce buried in bosoms
than intended sounds much ruder,
and too much tit elation (sp?)
than there's normally at the Tudor