Never been wowed by words! (Gasp) Check out Words Per Minute – but make it fast! This fantastic spoken-word extravaganza is coming to an end with their last show this Sunday 6 May at the Arches, 4pm.
If you’ve been to a spoken word event before but been disappointed or never ventured fearing boredom, drivel or pretentiousness, allow WPM to ease your mind and pleasantly surprise.
For the last few years it’s been showcasing the best of new and more established writers and performers with a few songs and other creative antics thrown in for good measure.
A word-fuelled journey
Truthfully when I went along I didn’t quite know what to expect but any apprehension quickly dissolved. It’s relaxing, welcoming – really almost like hanging out in the living room of a friend – an energetic, engaging and thought-provoking friend – who just happens to have a stage and a microphone.
Champions from the UK vs. USA Sunday special were definitely the humorous and expressive American Samuel Taradash and the utterly fantastic London-based Caroline Bird. Both were captivating, convincing and effortlessly took us along on their wonderful, word-fuelled journey.
Celebrate living, breathing words
This laid-back gathering celebrates words in all its many form – speaking, singing, reminiscing, ranting and recounting. It provides rare intimate moments where performers share their inner workings and writing (close up), interacting with you in a way that words on a page could simply never do.
All good things must (never) come to an end
My only regret is that I didn’t go long before their penultimate show. We’ll wave goodbye to this fantastic regular Sunday statement of expression on the 6th. But WPM promises to rise and read again – becoming nomads that pop up every from time-to-time.
So, go on – make the most of your (possibly long) weekend. Do something a little different and witness words alive at this final hooray at the Arches (£5).
– T
About a City 