Scottish Poetry News: August 2022

Livia Kojo Alour is making her first solo Edinburgh Fringe debut with her show Black Sheep (Assembly Rooms 4-27 Aug, not 15th). It’s got something for everyone, whether you’re interested in spoken word, physical theatre, or – arguably most exciting – sword swallowing. On a serious note, Black Sheep is about a queer Black woman finding love. It’s a story of overcoming institutional racism and radical vulnerability, and will be extended in Alour’s debut poetry collection, Rising of the Black Sheep, to be published with Polari Press mid-September. 

Summerhall has an outstanding programme of enticing spoken word. John Hegley’s Biscuit of Destiny (Cairns Lecture Theatre, 3-28 Aug, not 15th, 22nd) sets the scene with our hero, John Keats, meeting a woman in Ireland and recognising that the poor woman is suffering from a lack of biscuits. Hegley’s usual muddle of comedy and music ensue. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Cristian Ceresoli’s Le Merda will also take to the Summerhall Dissection Room (16-28 Aug) with Silvia Gallerano reprising her blistering, unsettling performance in the internationally award-winning production.

And finally, who doesn’t love a spoken word cabaret? Luckily, Ayrshire’s own Jim Monaghan is bringing one right to your Fringe door. Word Up (The Stand's New Town Theatre, 20-21, 27-28 Aug) will feature some of the best poets from the UK and further afield, and will be joined on stage by comedians and musicians for a bit of cross-artform fun.