The Royal Albert Hall was pulsating with an electric energy, so seismic that the national grid may have been concerned! It was the first time since 1966 that poetry had been performed in this prestigious building. In the round, a small, bare stage was illuminated with intimate lighting. A full house eagerly awaited an outpouring of poetic voices from the stage, like champagne at a wedding.
We were greeted by the charismatic host and Associate Artist Lion Heart, who was welcomed with rapturous applause. His mission for the evening was to curate and to put something great out into the world.
Theresa Lola (former Young People’s Laurate for London) was the first poet to grace the stage. Her deeply personal poetry stemmed from her Yoruba heritage and explored how her name was her home, her foundation, and her lineage. Her second offering – a diary entry was a letter to her younger self, capturing the fearlessness needed for true friendship and for life. Her set concluded with a piece about the unearthing of a Portuguese mass grave, a tomb of enslaved people, whose historical plight echoes on today.
Toby Campion (Playwright and Poetry Slam Champion) gave us a peek into his witty and unedited drunken poem about a mystery man, he had encountered at McDonald’s in Ayia Napa; this was a stream of consciousness about the light of his life that never was. Next was a powerful poem exploring the tense tight rope – that is queer life, through the secret gay language of Polari. He ended with a deafeningly poignant piece about the human collateral of Palestinians in this ensuing conflict.
Momtaza Mehri’s (Essayist and Young People’s Laureate of London) recited an ode to precious summer days, which featured her decreasing but precious friendship group. She weaved humour into traditional poetic phrasing, her evocative verse meandered like tributaries finding its source. With a nod to The Pet Shop Boys
‘Go West’ gave witness to a Somali boy who stowed away on a flight to Hawaii, in order to find his mother and conquer divided boundaries. Mehri’s imagery punctuated the air and spoke to the power of connection.
Lion Heart’s (Multi-Disciplinary Artist, Poet, and former BBC Radio London Presenter) rage was palpable as he explored his raw emotions. It was like watching a surgeon’s knife exposing flesh to extract a cancer. He let the audience in on the loneliness he encounters and how his struggle is acerbated by his masculinity. He examines how the phrase ”I’m fine” silences our sadness and uses the Cheshire cat’s smile as a metaphor for a closed door which shuts out any respite from the impeding darkness of mental health.
After a reflective interval Suli Breaks (YouTube Sensation) embarks on a traumatic journey which explores his wife’s labour. There is a sense of wonder, prayer, tension, strength, and vulnerability in his words. He takes the audience on a roller-coaster of emotions through heart break to victory.
In his next explosive poem, Breaks explains the concept of ‘death’ to his five year old son through the guise of children’s fictional characters. He expands on the theme of death looking at the fall of society’s moral compass, whilst calling for empathy and to not succumb to the lies and immorality of others.
The tour de force which is Kae Tempest (Mercury Prize Nominee & Sunday Times Bestseller) is something to behold. With a guttural cry they channel and chant – wrestling with grievances from the past and present; equating their transitioning body to that of a war ground. I see Tempest as a Poet’s Corner orator, trying to dismantle societal ills, shooting down political immigration policies, and highlighting our deference to authority, and a regime that does not serve its citizens.
The sonorous voice of Sophia Thakur (Bestselling author and songwriter) filled the auditorium with a reworked rendition of ‘I Am light’ by India Arie. Thakur was like an oracle, and we were at her temple. Her message was simple – live with grace, forgiveness, and love, She discussed weighty social issues, and held policies and politicians to account for their involvement in the Congolese, Sudanese, and Palestinian conflicts.
George the Poet (Peabody Award Winner) took command of the space like a Black Panther not only in dress and but in purpose also. Malcolm X spoke through him as he exclaimed that there is a war on Blackness. Through precise and powerful verse he documented the impact, fallout and legacy of colonisation, systemic racism, civil war, and global capitalism.
The irreverent Harry Baker (World slam Poetry Champion) filled the stage with light and laughter as he gave voice to his funeral wishes and celebrated the life he lived with his dear friends. To close his set and the evening, Baker, used bright wellington boots as a metaphor for living life in technicolour; to the full, and always leading with kindness, compassion, and love.
The Poet’s Revival was noteworthy as it was thought provoking. The poets were exceptional, and the themes of the evening were well stated through eloquent and visceral poetry. The line-up of performers led with truthful communication, honest connection, empathy, and love.
Thank you, Lion Heart for curating an evening which gave us a rainbow in our clouds.
Need to know: The Poets’ Revival took place on Wednesday 1 May at the Royal Albert Hall. Find out more.
