A couple of months ago two members of Write Out Loud’s editorial team attended the inaugural Tall-Lighthouse free open mic night at the Poetry Cafe in London. Only a handful of poets turned up, and the event ended early, although Tall Lighthouse publisher and laid-back compere Gareth Lewis seemed unfazed. Fast-forward to last night, when there was a much bigger audience of predominantly young poets, a dozen readers, and a lively atmosphere. Among those attending was Richard Tyrone Jones, who, as he told the audience, has made his heart failure around the time of his 30th birthday the centrepiece of his poetic performance, with a show in Edinburgh last year, and a forthcoming BBC Radio 4 production later this summer. Also reading was Kevin Reinhardt, who entertained with his poems about celebrities in odd situations, including Marvin Gaye in the Test match commentary box, and who seized the opportunity to publicise the launch of a collection by another performer, Lucy Leagrave, at his poetry karaoke bingo Eurovision party at Effra Road, Brixton, on Sunday 26 May.
PS Before last night’s poets began reading Gareth Lewis expressed a little bewilderment at the event gathering its own momentum. Could it have anything to do with its regular listing on Write Out Loud? I only ask.

Review is about The Tall Lighthouse Open Mic on 20 May 2013 (event)