CityLife

Freed Up

IF you think that an open mic poetry evening sounds pretentious and boring, go to Greenroom once a month for Freed Up to have your preconceptions reversed.

The night was brilliantly compered by Steve O’Connor and Dominic Berry, who create a friendly and supportive atmosphere and add some real class with their own poems. Berry in particular is fast becoming the underground poet laureate of Manchester – imagine Alan Carr crossed with Terry Christian and you can almost see him.

On an open mic night, there are always going to be weaker acts, but there were plenty of highlights on offer, from participants with quite varied levels of experience.

Angela Smith, who seems to be a regular, read a very moving and personal piece about a hospital visit. Gerry Potter delivered a guest spot that should be studied by anyone who wants to learn how to really perform poetry effectively. Mike Hall, a new visitor to the event, also delivered a stunning debut.

In the case of Freed Up, the Not Part Of festival is bringing broader audiences to an established event, and O’Connor and Berry create an inclusive and enthralling evening that will surely continue to grow in reputation.

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