Award-winning slam poet Ben Mellor has offered three top tips for performance poets: learn it; eye contact; and practice. In an interview called Ask the Expert with the performing arts network website  Panda, Mellor, who won the Dike Omeje Slam Poetry Award in 2008 and was BBC Radio 4 Slam Champion in 2009, said:

“It’s possible to read well from the page, but in order to really perform a piece I think you have to know it by heart, inside out and back to front so you can experiment with rhythm, tone and cadence. Also, constantly looking down at the page stops you from making… Eye contact. It’s the main vehicle for conveying the energy of your work, and if done well it can make a room full of people feel like you were speaking to them each alone. If you find it difficult to make eye contact at first you can direct your gaze just over peoples’ heads, but it’s kind of obvious you’re avoiding them. It’s much more powerful to do it for real, and that just comes with … Practice. Alone at first, then to your nominated first listener/viewer (friend, partner or pet, see above), and most importantly live. I’ve been performing some of my pieces for years and I still find new things in them, new ways of saying them and new challenges in performing them. Also if you’re going to use a mic it’s good to get used to the equipment, and not just the mic but the stand! Having to fumble around with that can destroy your confidence before you’ve even opened your mouth.”

Mellor also advises any new performers to "go to a warm, friendly open mic where they will be receptive to new readers (there are loads around, look on Write Out Loud)". Thanks for the mention, Ben! 

He will be performing his theatre production, Everything We Need, a collection of monologues from seven characters coming to terms with life changes in a changing world, at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Studio from 28-30 June.