Last night we returned to the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton for the city’s annual poetry slam. Fifteen poets battling it out in front of over 100 people, with some truly incredible prizes – we’re sure our winners are enjoying the finest literary offerings available to humanity even as we type.
The slam is one of our favourite events of the year. Not least because we never know what’s going to happen. Poets who’ve never competed in a slam before rub shoulders with slam veterans. A serious poem may be followed by a comic offering, a poem which closely observes everyday life, or a surreal flight of fancy. The whole evening is a celebration of the craft of poetry and the fifteen individuals who are getting up behind the mic on the night, and the generous response of our audience – some of whom have never been to any kind of poetry night before – shows how appreciative they are.
Last night was every bit as good as we’d hoped it would be. Our thanks to each and every one of the fifteen poets for playing their part in a fantastic evening’s entertainment. Thanks, too, to our five judges (chosen at random from our audience), to everyone who came along – to listen, be moved, applaud, cheer, and enjoy a great night out – and to the Arena staff who set up the tech and make us all so welcome. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Over the course of the evening, fifteen poets were whittled down to six semi-finalists, then a final three competed for the prize of a paid gig at next year’s Lit Fest. For the first time ever, two poets tied for second place – congratulations to local poet Karen Evans, and Cal Wensley from Bristol – but this year the poetry crown was taken by David Braziel from Stafford, who went home with Jeremy Clarkson and a packet of cuppa soups. Because we know how to show our poets a good time. Oh yes we do.
P.S. If you enjoyed last night, or didn’t come and would like to see what great poetry you’ve been missing, we’re running Stars of Slam next Saturday as part of the festival. Five winners of the region’s poetry slams each get to perform a fifteen-minute set of their material. It’s going to be amazing! We suggest you get yourself a ticket quick, while they’re still there to snaffle.
PPP
26th January 2025