This was a gig in aid of the “Medical foundation for the care of victims of torture” and it seemed that many of the leading lights of the Manchester poetry scene including such luminaries as Chloe Poems, John G Hall, Jackie Hagan where in the audience – no pressure on the performers then.

To find out more about the foundation then visit their web site http://www.torturecare.org.uk

The compere for the evening was Zoe Lambert who said it was a welcome return to the Trof since “Verberate” ended earlier in the year after around two very successful years.

The first performer was Connor A who claimed he had “mellowed” since suffering from an incapacitating illness which has laid him low for sometime now. Mellowed – Never! He gave an impressive, funny and at times moving performance that was rounded off with excerpts from his Blog “Minding the cat”.

Next up was Write Out Loud’s own Abi Idowu who, though clearly suffering from the after effects of flu, sang well and produced a good set ending with the haunting “Motherless Child” which dealt with her reaction to the racism she has experienced since arriving in the UK

After the first break the Open mic slots were filled exclusively with Wrote Out Louders. Bill Brierley and Don Parry’s set concluded with the “Weapon on the Wall” featuring Don on guitar and Bill on vocals. This is one of Bill’s most powerful poems about his deeply upsetting imprisonment by the authorities who “treated” him in a mental hospital when he was caught with a small amount of cannabis in the early 1980s.

Then John and Sandre Clays wowed the audience with a short set. Following a complicated poem by John, Sandre had the audience whooping with joy at her rendition of her saucy Minotaur poem.

Finally in this set came Rambling Keith Hillings. After a pint or three Keith asked if he could read and perhaps surprisingly Zoe agreed. Good decision Zoe! Although I bet you wondered if it was the right one as Keith meandered incoherently introducing his first poem. Then, as though a fairy god mother had made him suddenly sober, he was off and his poetry was a revelation, suddenly the raucous poets at the back of the room were stilled and his set went down brilliantly. So much so that Rosie Lugosi herself came up to Keith and congratulated him! Perhaps this was not such a good move Rosie as he is now convinced you are in love with him!

Both prizes in the raffle were won by the same woman who seemed to have raffle tickets secreted all over her body and had definitely spend about twice as much on the tickets as the prizes were worth – Good on you!

Another break and then it was a welcome return to Manchester for Canadian Michelle Green who has been away working in Africa for some time and part of her set was reading from her observations of life on another continent contrasted with her return to Manchester.

Finally, it was the Vampire Queen herself (No, she’s not a man Keith!), the one and only Ms Rosie Lugosi! Oddly she didn’t perform any of her “Vampire” poems but concentrated instead on poems and songs of delicious deviance and devilish depravity, culminating in the triumphant “Wanking!” What a woman! What a night!
You should have been there it was great!

Paul Blackburn - Wed 29th Nov 06