I'm writing this review because I suspect Darren won't remember.
Brilliant turnout.
The compere was exquisitely pissed.

I have absolutely no idea just what’s inside those upside-down bottles behind Russ’s bar at The Tudor House Hotel. Supposedly, one of them contains Vodka. Another, a mild liquid sedative - and the rest? Who really cares?

Anyway…

Last night’s poetry event at ‘The Tudor House’ was a welcome return to chaos, drunkenness, and a blatant display of bottoms - ooh, and some wonderful poetry too. And while the thought of a heaving, flaccid set of buttocks is not to everyone’s taste - can I just add - I was drunk - and my Jeans were slipping due to their ‘fashionable cut’…your Honour.

We had 25 poets’ forged into a heightened state of consciousness by a last minute, stand-in Compére.
We had Juggling acrobats. Dancing Bears. Sword swallowers. I’ll be damned - we EVEN had Nat Clare. Without further ado - here’s the list:

Kenny
Louis Fazackerley
John Coopy
Baz
Stevie Turner
John Clays
Sandré Clays
Steve Smith
Mel Rees
Allan Gray
Sarah Crowther
John Darby
Johnboy Walton
Becca
Isobel
Chris Yates
Jefferama
Susie Mason
Rachael Bond
Belinda Johnston
Dave Carr
Dermot Glennon
Dave Bradley
Chris Co… and…
Nat Clare

Not bad eh?

On top of this, there MUST be somebody else who I’ve routinely forgotten?

With such a varied set of styles and words, it made a broth of performance soup that was a pleasure to taste and savour, and from where I was standing, it looked like a real good night.
I can’t remember a single poem. Who did what and how? I was preoccupied with my list of anxious performers and the logistics involved in accommodating late arrivals, later arrivals and then of course, the last arrival, are not really appreciated until you’re confronted with a list of names scrawled by a drunken Togher being read by an intoxicated Thomas.

A special thanks to Steve Smith, Chris Co and John Coopy. They each travelled some considerable distance to be at the North West’s finest performance poetry venue, and they treated us all to some wonderful material. Although I’m still uncertain whether or not Belinda Johnson travelled all the way from Japan just to be with us? Probably. Afterall…it was ‘THE TUDOR’.


Drunk? Come on Baz - I was just playing at it!

Yep - it was a great night with a good turn out from poets who had travelled far. Nice to see John Coopey from Yorkshire, Steve Smith, Chris Co and Rachael Bond make their first appearance at the Tudor.
If we are talking about levels of drunkenness, I don't think you were too far behind the compere, Baz - though we didn't get to see quite as much of your bare faced cheek....and that wasn't a request....

ps Loved Rachael Bond and Stevie Turner's shoes - am going to have to up my game.

Thanks for the kind words Darren, Isobel.
I'm back over in the Land of the Sewn-Up Pocket for the weekend.
But I'd like to say what a good night I had. The standard of poetry was really good (except mine) and I was especially taken with the friendliness and welcome extended to me.
If I'm in the vicinity again I'll definitely pop in (unless, of course, you see me first!).
John Coopey

Gosh Chris - you are incredibly observant - I can tell you were driving - you were certainly listening. Sarah Crowther read the poem about neglected children followed up by the sexy one about big male bears - perhaps she was the inspiration for Darren getting his big male arse out...
I'm glad you enjoyed Graham Sherwood's poem Love and Theft cos I really enjoyed performing it. Sorry it took you a while to get a chair - forgot you had a gammy leg - we'll have to save one for you next time.
Forgot to thank Darren for the compering - it was highly entertaining. Best shut up now in case I get accused of being opinionated....

Photographs by Stevie Turner are now up in galleries.

Excellent night. Well worth the trip from Chorley..braving those temporary traffic lights.

Really good night at Tudor! It's the place to be in Wigan! Such an intoxicating,(and varied) selection of poets! Something for everyone.Hilarious and thought-provoking poems and Darren Thomas as our compere! What more could you ask for?