Dominic Berry, Princess Arinola Adegite and Ismael Mansoor delivered a trio of masterful performances today. We had poetry in both English and through British Sign Language. We had speaking, singing and signing between three along and through them all was the constant thread of fantastic storytelling. -Lauren
Dominic Berry
Being in a room with Dominic Berry is an experience. Immediately you can feel a change in the audience. Berry has such a presence on stage that you can’t help but smile. Even when, in his opening words he states ‘I hope more people would cry’. He continues to pitch his ‘crying café’ to give people a chance to feel. If you an audience member at a Dominic Berry show you are welcome. His work is sometimes about catharsis but is so often in itself cathartic.
His poetry often explores the communal and the power of people being open and together. While being a former Glastonbury Poetry in Residence he talks about still feeling nervous getting up on stage even though it never shows. He shares his former Glastonbury experience (including rainy Glastonburys, thankfully an experience we hadn’t had yet this year). He speaks of his experience as part of the LGBTQI+ community in a realistic but tender way. Offering his story openly and softly .
‘I have seen the future and it will change’ Berry said as the closing words of the set sending the audience forward full of hope.
Princess Arinola Adegbite
Princess Arinola Adegbite a.k.a Bitez performed a brilliant set of poetry and song. Critiquing society, discussing the long last effects of racism in the contemporary world as well as the need for a feminist outlook. Describing herself as an afro futurist she also spoke about her obsession with technology. This feeds into her work as her poetry explores future as well as past and present. She looks forward and back to place the world in context.
‘My poems prick out like needles’ Bitez points out in the middle of a poem where she pokes holes into the fabric of power in today’s world. Challenging and critiquing power and not letting anything get taken for granted. Bitez is a political poet living in a political world, fighting for truth, imagining a better future and using words to immortalize the past so lives are not forgotten.
Ismael Mansoor
Ismael Mansoor is the current British Sign Language Poet laureate. It was incredible seeing him perform on stage through BSL. Language flowed the performance. Ismael discusses in his work the history of sign language, how it often was denied to Deaf people in the past as they were not allowed to use it. Having him masterfully tell this story live on stage through British Sign language is hopefully a sign for a better future. A sign we will have a surge in platforms for Deaf artists to showcase their work and stories.
Ismael discusses his experiences writing and publishing poetry but discusses how he prefers performing through both British Sign Language and South African Sign Language. His poems including long form and haikus explore Deaf Culture, nature and art. Ismael Mansoor’s work is intimate, skillful, urgent and should be seen by many audiences.
Poetry&Words at Glastonbury Festival 