15.39°C With so much happening during a Fringe festival, it’s a real chance to experience something different. I was glad to catch James Domestic’s That’s Not Poetry, the kind of event I don’t normally attend. It was an excellent hour of poetry, comedy and reflections on life, perfectly suited to the venue, Coda. James is an affable performer with a geezerish charm, but as he explained in his opening poem, his family moved from East London to Clacton when he was four.
It’s his working-class background that really connects. His material is honest and raw, accompanied by excellent photographs and visuals that enhance the experience. There are affectionate memories of holidays in Hastings and the healing power of Germoline – “The Pink Practitioner”! School days, pubs and growing up are all explored with warmth and wit, and he isn’t afraid to share darker moments, especially his dependence on alcohol in his youth. The poems Arsehole Man and Pub Ape really hit home. His commentary on the class system and politics is sharp and satirical, with Guff CV landing a wonderful punchline. He is also candid about his mental health challenges, and I was particularly struck by Human Ikizukuri, a powerful reflection on being “freshly flayed” when depressed.
It’s an excellent evening of poetical banter – completely unpretentious yet full of insight. His love of working-class crisps, his experiences in music and his times of unemployment all resonate deeply with audiences. The poem for his late father, Dad Scents, is especially moving in its honesty and restraint.
Up there with the best – catch this wordsmith wherever he performs.
Review by Paul T. Davies, Theatre Editor, Keep Colchester Cool
FOOTNOTE
For those who missed the show at Colchester Fringe, the entire performance is available below.
