★★★★★
This is a fabulous show! In the back room of a pub in Leith, poet Rich William reads a selection of his works, encompassing a variety of themes, from being stiffed while selling one’s car to children trick-or-treating with guns. Whilst the latter implies a darker undertone, Rich’s poems are consistent in their intent to entertain and amuse, with many lovely thought-provoking moments amongst the hilarity.
The show’s title – Infinite Words but Nothing Gets Said – is taken from his poem about a management meeting, in which he perfectly evokes a sense of corporate anxiety and overbearing bad bosses, immediately bringing the audience onboard with something relatable. But the title’s deeper meaning speaks to a sense of getting things off one’s chest. By Rich’s own admission, he writes about things one might joke or complain about in the pub with friends. As such, his poems are refreshingly honest and down to earth, pitched to a broad audience looking simply to be entertained, listening for a voice who represents and understands them.
Rich’s performance of his poetry is wonderful. He is instantly likeable, with a warm and funny personality, which serves him well when chatting to the audience between poems and setting up the context for the next one. His delivery is excellent, and his passion for what he does comes across clearly. Hilarious, clever and uplifting, Rich William’s Infinite Words but Nothing Gets Said is a hidden gem of a fringe show, and well worth the trip to a venue slightly off the beaten path.
Infinite Words but Nothing Gets Said was on at PBH @ The Strathmore Bar
