Luke Wright, Poet and Man

Published Monday 13 August 2007 at 12:10 by Chris Wilson

Luke Wright is a poet to be admired. His work is a cut above that of many of the spoken word and slam poets. It has meaning - at the very least to him.

His piece about a dysfunctional former schoolmate now serving time for GBH was moving, and the one on staying at home with his wife was an unusual and touching love poem. And his poetic character assassination of a failing train company was true and hilarious.

The show was well structured, neatly divided into eight chapters, introduced with a wide range of quotations, from Jack Kerouac to Evelyn Waugh to Saint Paul. Wright performed with great soul and passion.

The problem came with the material between the poems. Wright attempted some stand-up but it was not really his bag. It is a moot point whether performance poets should try to be funny between poems, but if they go for it, they need to hit the mark.

This is, however, a minor point. Luke Wright is cutting a distinctive career path - his two-day Poetry Party at the Meadows were excellent - and this enjoyable show will further enhance his standing.