★★★★★

PUNK poet John Cooper Clarke performed some of his classic performance poetry alongside humorous anecdotes at the De La Warr Pavilion.

Clarke covered topics such as ageing, his past drug addiction, marriage and religion. At 67, he’s still able to speak with the fervour and speed associated with his fast-paced poems, swearing profusely and hilariously throughout.

Clarke comes across like someone you’d want to meet in the pub, his entire set like a continuous train of thought as one anecdote led into a poem that led directly into another tale of misdemeanour.

Clown Town, written around 30 years ago and never performed until now, was the most topical as Clarke made reference to the “killer clown”

infestation across the country. Audience members attempted to heckle Clarke, or shout out names of poems they wanted to hear, but he remained nonplussed and continued with the decorum of a seasoned professional.

Clarke was supported by poets Mike Gory, Luke Wright and Simon Day (as his alias Geoffrey Allerton), who combined wit with eloquent verse to entertain the audience. It was a thoroughly enjoyable show that would have appealed to fans of poetry and rambling comedic stories alike.

Becky Snowden