Heather Moulson, left, Sharron Green, and Trisha Broomfield are three regulars at Write Out Loud Woking who have teamed up to form a poetic trio called The Booming Lovelies that celebrate “ladies of a certain age”. Here’s a review of their recent performance at Cranleigh arts centre in Surrey:  

With trepidation, I sat at the back table at Cranleigh arts centre with my Booming Lovelies souvenir booklet. There were very detailed poems inside and I looked forward to them coming alive. 

Dead on 7.30, the stage was taken by three experienced poets, Sharron Green, Trisha Broomfield and Heather Moulson. With an intriguing table of props, a theatrical hatstand and three high stools, the audience were keen and receptive. It was easy to soak in this great atmosphere.  

Coming up to the mic, Trisha Broomfield welcomed us with ‘Cold Soup and The Joy of Sex’. Full of nostalgia for babysitting days and the absolute uproar that book caused, we were quickly hooked.  Heather Moulson unenviably had to follow this piece with ‘Beryl the Peril’, her first idol, but cracked it with this simple piece. Sharron Green, who is also co-compere at Write Out Loud Woking, read the poignantly humourous ‘The Tree-Lined Village Square’. The Booming Lovelies excel at nostalgia without being mawkish, and we were ready for more.   

We were drawn into the unhealth and safety days of hair being ironed in ‘Straight off the Board’, embarrassing snogging recollections in ‘The Oasis Nightclub’, and musical accompaniment in ‘Immac-late’. There were two wonderful props to enhance that iconic tipple in ‘Gin’ and the hilarious ‘Poltergeist Heist’.  These poems were delivered in an immaculate order, colour and polish, and we as an audience were brought to life.  

Colourfully presented and celebrating ladies of a certain age, this point was pressed with ‘Hot Flush Fifty’ and ‘The Menopause’. Guiding us through life milestones was an absorbing journey, rounding up with the profound ‘A Certain Age (in a better way)’, that really said it all. Shy just short of an hour, it was a period well spent. 

The Booming Lovelies are performing at the Guildford Institute on 13 May. Don’t miss it. More details