Luke Wright, A Spoken-Word Poet At The Top Of His Game

Spoken word poetry has a huge following in the UK, and Luke Wright is one of the most talented exponents, breaking new ground with his audacious work. Wright took his first steps as one of the founders of the poetry collective AISLE 16, formed with Ross Sutherland, which in the new Millennium energised the spoken word scene. Since then, he has worked as a theatre-maker, broadcaster and publisher. In 2009, he set up Nasty Little Press, a much-needed, independent publishing house, specialising in those poets better known for their live performance work. I had read some of his poetry, but never seen this raconteur and first-class wordsmith in performance, so his Fringe show, Joy, at the Pleasance Dome venue was a golden opportunity. He is a charismatic performer who the minute he steps onstage holds your attention. He begins by asking if at forty-two, it is possible to feel unbridled joy. And, if it is indeed possible, can you write a spoken word show on this subject. His particular style of performance interweaves his brilliant rendition of his poems, with s description of the joy of family life, his new wife, his children, his new house, evoked in vivid detail, with its roof terrace, office and amazing views. Suddenly, the tone changes, and he allows pathos and sadness to creep in as he recounts his failed marriage and the difficulties he has faced. His focus, moreover, is not just personal, since this acute observer of our contemporary world is not afraid to tackle difficult issues such as our obsession with social media scrolling and alcohol abuse. Pointing a humorous finger at consumer society and those small ‘treats’ we might indulge in, which only make us crave for more, Wright invites us to reflect on the joy, but also on the downside of consumerism. Joy, for Wright, also resides in the creative writing process, and here his joy and satisfaction shine forth. Giving us examples from his poetry, it is evident that the rhymes and soundscapes of his work reflect a great deal of hard grind and painstaking precision. Luke Wright is intent on forging anew the English language and surprising us with new figures of speech and idioms. He is indeed a wordsmith at the top of his game. Joy’s run on the Edinburgh Fringe is supported by Colchester Arts Centre.

Joy, by Luke Wright, photo credits Emily Fae.