We were all pinching ourselves when we realised that Julian had lined Write Out Loud up as the warm-up for the Afrobeat Crusaders at Bordeaux’s premier world-music venue. And we were humbled to be appearing in a charity gig for the founder of the Crusaders, Segun Damisa, who died last summer.

For John Mather it was his first visit to France. Three years ago he had never read his poetry in public. Now at 69 he was about to perform in front of 200 people.

His clarity and commitment earned him many fans, not only at Chez Alriq, the venue of Write Out Loud’s first gig, but throughout the weekend.

Alriq himself, looking like the older Allen Ginsberg, introduced us, and Julian did the explanations and links in French. Paul started the set with “Lust, or La Luxure” which translates readily into any language, catching the crowd’s attention with its full-frontal thrusting and ecstatic moaning.

Hilary then pulled a cool stunt by reading her bitingly funny “Paranoia” in French. She left us awestruck as an appreciative crowd picked up on the jokes and double entendres (what’s that in French?).

John delivered his tales of a Lancashire childhood clearly and sweetly, and Gordon bemused everyone with Herbert, the sherbet-dipping “sweet rapper”.

I galloped through “Crazy Guys” but I’m used to stares of incomprehension by now. You don’t have to be French not to understand Dave Morgan.

Julian was formidable, or formidable, as we say in French.

The only fitting way to repay the appreciative punters who cheered us off the stage, was to demonstrate some groovy Bolton moves to the heat of the Afro Beat Crusaders, and pay due respect to the local vine products.

The next day it rained. But it was warm rain. Julian gave us a tour around various arts establishments including the impressive Utopia independent cinema, and the Café des Arts.

Mentally we were all preparing for the night’s gig at the famous Cambridge Arms, scene of WoL’s previous poetic triumphs in Bordeaux.

We met at 7.00 to line our stomachs with the biggest fish and chip supper imaginable (alas, but perhaps fortuitously, no mushy peas).

To describe the night as a triumph would be an understatement, with poets in equal number from England, Bordeaux and various corners of the USA.

Anchored by Julian alongside the charismatic Fred Delhoume, Director of Compagnie Gardel (compagnie.gardel@wanadoo.fr), the readings drew to a close at 11.55, after three 45-minute sessions.

The local arts fraternity was well represented and committed to real participation (they were a bit bemused by the open-mic model at our previous performances).

It is not possible to mention everyone, but respect to Christian and Agnès, who were in the audience at Chez Alriq, and came to participate at the Cambridge on the strength of it.

Also thanks to Debbie Steinberg, editor of Bordeaux literature magazine, Louis Liard, for bringing her troops out in force (www.louisliardmagazine.org).

Special mention to student Carine Marty who last year overcame her shyness to be our only French reader, but who returned with confidence and style to perform in French and English.

The list goes on. We had extracts from Kerouac’s Mexico City Blues read in French by Collette, Whitman read by Matthew, the Californian barman, Blake read faultlessly in English by Yoann who had literally walked in off the street, stand-up in yer face acerbic comedy (or, to be more accurate, in your groin acerbic comedy) from Margaret France, plus all the old favourites from yours truly, Write Out Loud on tour.

What clinched the event was the painstaking translation of poems written by Hilary, Paul and Julian into French, and of Fred’s work into English, which brought everyone to a sense of common understanding and appreciation.

Many thanks to Fred, Julian, and Nicole de Beaupuy for their efforts on everyone’s behalf.

Sunday was a day of rest with brunch in the flea market at St. Michel, followed by the classic Write Out Loud read-around in the open air square of Les Chartrons.

The autumn sun inflamed the yellow stone as the poets attracted the attention and participation of the customers and staff of the local cafes and bars, and all was well with the world.

Finally, a note of gratitude to Francis and Paul Turpin, landlords of the Cambridge. Francis ensured we had a top class PA system on Saturday, supplied by talented Scottish musician Martin , and Paul arrived from his sick bed on Sunday evening to ensure the weekend was rounded off in style.

The event was a vindication of Julian’s vision and persistence and each Write Out Loud member attending gained something unique from the opportunity to perform in such a multicultural context.

A big thank you to North West Arts for appreciating the significance of such an event and providing financial support.

Dave Morgan
7 October 2006