Review: Zephaniah
The Sherman’s Refugee Week is Cardiff’s contribution to a UK wide programme of events, celebrating the large role that refugees and asylum seekers play in British society.
Benjamin Zephaniah, the acclaimed Rastafarian writer and performance poet, added to this year’s line up with his cheeky smile and his half Jamaican, half Brummie accent.
He strolled onto the stage and to loosen himself up he jumped straight into verse, livening up the atmosphere immediately. It’s the warm humour and depth to his performance that really sets Zephaniah apart and his mission to take poetry everywhere reflects his unique street style.
His speech has a special fluidity and reggae rhythm which mesmerizes throughout and his poems are thought provoking and comical. Between recitals Zephaniah invites the audience to share in his memories, wittily passing on stories of times gone by and how you don’t really get to know a place until you've been arrested there.
Zephaniah is clearly comfortable on-stage but his obvious experience doesn’t come with the usual lack of passion that you get with many seasoned performers. A spiritual, religious, political and honest man who is quickly warmed to, Zephaniah is one of those see before you die poets who leaves you inspired by his message and itching for more.
