Fast becoming one of London’s most exciting literary groups, Apples & Snakes is pushing the boundaries in poetry and spoken word. Tonight’s performance at Soho Theatre is no exception, featuring three highly talented and entertaining artists.
Chanje Kunda
Manchester-based Chanje Kundra opens the night with her sublimely composed hip-hop fused words and tunes. Increasingly well known in spoken word circles, Kunda’s poetry touches on everything from the confused minds surrounding terrorism and suicide bombers to her horny Christmas wish list emphasising when and where she would like to get stuffed.
All woman, and all words, Kunda isn’t afraid to own the spotlight. Her fabulous presence and creativity within the small Soho Theatre space emphasise this girl’s ability to entertain. An important identity for women’s lib, Kunda is as real and organic as they come. She speaks of her son, the rain, sadness, joy, racism, equality, the police, our systems, life and love. The absolute highlight of this goddess’ performance is the dishes. Perhaps a metaphor for something greater, this is a bid for equality between the sexes. Her seductive description of the flavours infusing amongst the plates and cutlery influences one to think that there is no other option but to let the dishes sit there$$s$$ they are happy there, as we sit happily there.
Stacy Makishi
Hawaiian-born Stacy Makishi follows Kunda’s sublime performance and is also quite the treat. This seemingly awkward, adorable, Björk-ish character creeps on stage, clad in black and sporting thick-rimmed glasses. Makishi gathers the audience’s attention immediately, stating that she “knows things”. This extremely individual and entertaining artist captures the full heart of the audience, blending quirky humour with random scatters of everyday information and facts. A unity is formed when we collectively ‘blow’ our anxieties and worries into balloons, popping them in unison and thus releasing the stress of forty people into the abyss.
Through brilliant composition and writing, the performance leaves a beautiful aftertaste and encapsulates modern-day life and obscurities in a thought-provoking manner. Makishi is a bright and exceptional writer and has worked on and toured many performance pieces throughout London and the UK.
Murray Lachlan Young
The headline act of the night is Mr Murray Lachlan Young. This man is brilliant.
He’s phonetically profound, he’s quick, he’s quirky and he’s very, very entertaining. Best known for his slot on Radio 4’s Saturday Night Live, Young is taking elements of cool to a new and sarcastic height. He still stands out as a star despite suffering from the dreaded winter flu and dosed up on ibuprofen and perhaps a little whiskey. His short and sharp poems are delivered perfectly, leaving you wanting more from the very beginning.
Even after experiencing an intensive month of comedy at the Edinburgh festival this year, there was no performance piece that was quite as brilliant as Young’s If you’re gonna go Keith, don’t do it like that, the quirky artist’s message to Keith Richards after his fall from a coconut tree. From mass cocaine consumption and the demise of the Soho fluffer to Goths on the beach, Young’s humour shoots something aimed at everyone.
Despite no direct correlation, the three artists in this Apples and Snakes event perfectly complement one another. As spoken word and performance poetry continues to creep out from the ideals of the ‘left wing’ alternative artists to a more recognised and celebrated art form, Apples & Snakes stands at the forefront of the scene. The organisation supports artists through education, workshops and publishing and acts as a supportive foundation for poets and spoken word performers.
Hosting a brilliant selection of events throughout London, Apples & Snakes is one to get involved in. The inclusion and combination of artists such as tonight’s are reasons enough to keep going back for more, and more.
Apples & Snakes$$s$$ Murray Lachlan Young
26 November 2008
Soho Theatre
www.applesandsnakes.org
www.myspace.com/chanjekunda
www.stacymakishi.com
http://www.murraylachlanyoung.com
