SpitNights is based on an uncommon premise that works surprisingly well: mixing the art form of spoken word with improvised jazz. As the hilariously charismatic host of the show, Ted Temples, described it, this idea creates a beautifully “golden” mixture that makes for a wonderfully unique experience.
Various different poets perform their spoken pieces as a jazz band of four improvise music to accompany them, following often very vague and short instructions. The band never disappointed; every improvised track fit the poetry perfectly, even following its contours and pace. The music really added to the experience of the poems; flowering the language and heightening emotions further.
The spoken word poetry drew from all aspects of human experience; the mundane, the existentially important, the ridiculous, and the deepest facets of emotion. Co-founder of SpitNights Celine Kutevu opened with poetry on misogyny and girlhood, proudly proclaiming women should have the brave defiance to “grow [their] bush.” Kofi Achina described the mundane moments that form a relationship of love, then got the whole audience chanting “There’s rice at home!” as he made a playful stab at the rising cost of food and of living. They were followed by Georgie Jones relating her poetic way of seeing all things in the world, and on farts; and finally Blackscore, who performed a passionate poem on the demoralising state of the world and then on his favourite bands, supported by flawless singer Doella.
This provided an interesting variety of poetry that was often hysterically funny, prompting rapturous applause, but also tinged with deeper meaning. However, some pieces felt predictable in their contemporary opinions, particularly those on relationships and feminism. Though these are undoubtably important topics, they did not offer an especially fresh or distinctive perspective that made for contemplation afterward.
There were certainly performances that did this, however, such as Blackscore’s impassioned, phenomenal piece on the state of the world. On climate change, on the fact “we [humans] think we’re the future but we’re not even the past,” on our helpless, “dumb” nature that he stated through his naïve “why don’t they show this [important stuff] on TV!”.
As a whole, this show shared an incredible snapshot of the shared experience of human life. Performances each night are promised to be unique, with a rotating array of performers – so you’ll never know what you might get!
SpitNights is running until 22 August at Symposium Hall. Buy tickets here.
Image by Danny Mash, provided for press use.
