Messy: A Theme for Unravelling Times
EBM HUMPHREYS
Although the name ‘Poetry Brothel’ is pretty edgy, I’ve always rather liked the boldness of it. We headed down to the White Rock Hotel on 5 July for probably our fourth PB Hastings, trusting we’d be served with a unique night of poetry, music, story and burlesque. You are quite safe here, whether you want to be or not! However, one-to-one readings are available with the performers in the intermission.
Sam Brown
Even after several visits I still felt scared to have a private reading. Some people are braver. Those who succumb to the temptation always come back intact, confirming what you’d expect: it’s intense. But I knew I had to go for it. I chose carefully and consented to be blindfolded – making the experience both more richly-sensory and less scarily-intimate.
I have never experienced more sumptuous framing or more careful curation of live poetry than that of PB Hastings’ resident hostess Madame Bibi Synthe. This is a night where everything has been thought of, every performer has been very carefully selected – maybe even pruned a little to make the themed poetry-garden glow and grow. I fancy that this quality control suits those who are a bit afraid of poetry – I personally enjoy the solidarity of anything-goes poetry nights, but it’s not for everyone.
The July PB theme was ‘Messy’, offering “creative journeys … uncharted waters … a cabaret bursting with wonder, rebellion and the unexpected”, and it certainly was full of surprises. Featured on stage (and off) were: hard-hitting local star Reanna Valentine, super-sultry wild-thing Embala, completely captivating Luna Saudade visiting from the London PB, sticky-storytelling changeling SpiritDoll, delectable PB ‘virgin’ Silver Star, omni-talented burlesque artist Canary Monarch with next-level costume, superb local violinist Sam Brown and delightful musical guest visiting from Brighton, Charlie O’Connor. Not to mention the lavish compere herself experimenting on us artistically, also while blindfolded.
The subtle association with sex-work is actually more important than we might think – any blurring of lines between art and work can only help us to break down the sexist hypocrisies still surrounding sex-as-work. And on this particular occasion, a possibly gin-soaked Madame Bibi made this particular feature of the night clear as crystal, expressing her uncompromising solidarity.
The next Poetry Brothel Hastings will take place in September – follow them on Eventbrite, Facebook or Instagram (best pictures) and make sure you are there!
PBHastingsMESSY.eventbrite.co.uk
@poetrybrothelhastings
facebook.com/ThePoetryBrothelHastings
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