First up was poet, painter and sculptor Pete Ramskill. Dryly amusing in his introductions, calm provider of clarity and humour in his poetry. He switched between verse from his latest published collection, some newer works, and a series of hilarious limericks. His subject matter is his everyday life, memories of the past, and politics (especially in the limericks). Most combine humour with sharply thoughtful observations on the oddities of human behaviour. Consistently entertaining and worthy of further reading.
And then there was Henry. I'll admit here to being biased here for, unknown to me, my wife had made previously contact with him and the result was him reciting, and presenting to us, a poem he wrote for our wedding anniversary. So I couldn't write a bad review, could I?
Fortunately there's absolutely no need for me to make any compromises with my principals. Normal the poet is a natural comedian writing language of such simplicity, but filled with such unlikely juxtapositions and sideways observations that you wonder how you never thought of it yourself. Which you wouldn't, of course, because Normal is blessed with a way of looking at the world that combines a surreal imagination with a warmth of humanity and empathy that very few people have. It's a natural talent for seeing the eccentricities and struggles and love in others and repackaging them into a form that makes us look at ourselves and others from fresh angles. How many people would come up with "a speedboat drags what looks like a cheap sofa full of masochists", or create a poem out of a to-do list?
Go see him if you can. He'll make you laugh, think, feel and be a better human. You won't forget a Henry Normal gig.
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