I arrived at the familar setting of the Birdcage and already there was only the floor left to sit on. The crowd grew so much that there was no room, as people stood in the doorway. John Simpson Wedge was hosting, and did a great job with jokes and little poems of his own. Hasina Allen, Jennifer Grey and Cora Benzie started the night off to a great standard as expected.
Greta Healy and Christopher Ogden followed after the first break, and I mentioned them both at the last Birdcage event. Emma Webb was next, and I enjoyed her set, and her love of West Ham (which I also “support” due to my dad being a big fan) though I don’t follow football so it’s more moral support haha.
I was up next, decked out in 1920’s style dress, I explained that we were asked to do that – though I like dressing up so wasn’t fussed that not many others actually did it! I wore a cream dress with matching shoes – not a flapper dress, but a similar ’20s shape. I also wore my fascinator – any excuse to wear it, as I love it – I got it for my 19th birthday, specially handmade by a Spitalfields Market stall-holder. I also had a white feather boa – I would have prefered my black one from New York’s Screaming Mimi’s but I can’t find it anywhere – gutted, as it was mega over-priced!
Anyway, less about clothes… I enjoyed my set. I had a cold, but then so did everyone else really. I performed my creative writing module pieces from last term, which I never had read out as they are more “page” than “stage” poems. To pick up the pace, I read Space Station, which I pretty much known by heart now. I then did newbie Drama, and a plug for an event LitSoc are putting on tonight, and then had time for an unplanned reading of White Lines. I got a decent amount of compliments, particularly for Space Station, and the rhythm of my performance. I think maybe because I knew it by heart it was well liked, or maybe because it’s quite emotional and raw.
Christopher Young was next, and read prose, which many people thought was surprisingly entertaining, as it can be harder to follow prose. I can’t remember seeing him before, but he was really good. Catherine Woodward was next, and in the past I’ve not been blown away, I thought she was great that night, really engaging. Maybe I was blinded by jealousy before haha, since she gets quite a lot published!
Robyn Comfort was again one to watch – sadly no singing this time though. Josephine Lister delivered her set with confidence, although I can’t remember if I’ve seen her before, I think confidence makes up a lot of how good someone’s set is… I hope I’ve grown in confidence haha! Laurie Eaves was the best I’ve ever seen him, he has improved so much in such short time. I wondered where he practices because that’s a problem for me, as I like it when other people are out the house! His set was pretty much perfect, very well prepared and everything went together so well.
CWS were filming the night so hopefully it’ll be up on YouTube at some point in the near future!
Carmina
xxx
Poet on page and stage. Creator of She Grrrowls. Facilitator. Writer. 