Laughs for poet

Press, 10 December 1982, Page 6

Laughs for poet

John Cooper Clarke, at the Sandridge Hotel last evening. Reviewed by David Swift. . I haven’t held a grin for so long for ages. ► The quick-fire beanpole poet, Jqhn Cooper Clarke, seemed to ' win over just about everyone last eveniJ’he.fpmbus humour, which. had previously, only been available on record, to .us,' adapted easily to a crowded, uncomfortable, bar . at. the Sandridge’Hotel.’ -*• ' Surprisingly, th'e ; audience. seemed .to know most, of his classics; * such ' as ’"Beasley Street;” and “Health FanafieA I was pleased, -and Mr 'T: • • ■

Clarke seemed pleased, that the' - well known poems •i -received. an ovation • before he began to, recite themi The poems were done two ‘ ways. Housed ' backing tapes . > for. some,’and they produced pregnant "pauses which Mr ? Clarke . traversed / grimly, hanging,? tjghtly, on to 1 the i microphone stand. Others, he ! -recited,' with no music, Very ■ quickly. . ; , Visually he was splendid. : Like a pipe-cleaner with a frayed end, and I mean it. I.l.kindly, he swayed at centre- ; stage, sometimes smiling be- ■ no hecklers as his repartee is -

almost legendary. • The material was a mixture of the familiar and the new. The backing tapes were well organised, although Mr . Clarke did have to wait a little for “Beasley Street” to reach the right volume. ' Id each poem, a. gem. How - about, “Bronze Adonis” — “He makes love like a foot- ; bailer, he dribbles before he ’shoots” \ . Mr Clarke is touring Australasia with New Order, but lam sure, after: hearing 'other reports, that Christ.church got the best part of .the package. . A >• John Cooper Clarke.. You « had to be there. ' •