Katherine MacAlister is inspired by poet Luke Wright’s spoken word

With his rock star looks and urban vibe, you’d expect Luke Wright to be pounding a guitar or starring in a gritty, new TV drama. Indeed, he’s already performed at Glastonbury in front of 2,000 people

But then that would be to massively underestimate the poet, rewriting the rules and bringing his genre kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

In direct opposition to the ivory tower mentality of yesteryear, instead of waiting for a new legion of fans to pick up one of his books, he’s coming to them, conducting vast tours every year to reconnect with a lost generation.

When not touring his poetry, Luke writes plays; his debut, What I Learned from Johnny Bevan, sold out its run at the Edinburgh Fringe, a three-week run in London’s West End and won The Scotsman Fringe First Award and The Stage Award for Acting Excellence. Currently being turned into a film, he is writing his second play as we speak.

“People call it a play because it’s easier, but it’s basically a one-man piece of verse,” he says.

So is Luke’s in-your-face stance deliberate or is this just how the 35 year-old rolls? “Things are changing. Poetry has its place in the British arts scene again. You just have to be open-minded,” he tells me.

“I realised that instead of writing my thoughts down and hoping someone would read them, it was easier to perform them to a live audience.

“That way, you can make people laugh, cry and applaud which gives you instant gratification.

It’s a win-win,” he laughs, “And such a great way to connect with people.”

Starting off in a collective, Luke soon decided to go it alone, his fans soon catching onto his pared back, energetic, honest style.

So does Luke still find it daunting sharing his most recent work with a live audience?

“It can be because my poems are quite personal, especially in The Toll tour which deals with breakups and heartache. Not that I stand there on a soap box and have a good rant. I usually introduce characters and a story as a voice for my thoughts and circumstances, rather than relating the individual details.

“So yes it can be a scary thing but you have to be in an honest place on stage I just want to make people laugh and think about interesting things, for the poetry to soar above them.”

Does he worry then about over-sharing?

“Yes, you do wonder,” he laughs nervously, “But then I am talking about the break-up of my marriage, as well as positive things like my children who bring me so much joy.

“I suppose I just talk about what affects me, both politically and personally, but I break the poems up with lots of ad-libbing, which is much more ‘off the cuff’ and relaxing, and I think provides a nice contrast.

“People have been really enthusiastic about the show.

“It is high risk, but for me it’s a privilege to be performing my poems and engaging people because I’m an exuberant and energised person and I like to think I bring that to my work.

“It’s about knowing who you are and recreating that on stage.”

Luke Wright: The Toll

Thursday April 27

The North Wall, Oxford

01865 319450

thenorthwall.com