Benjamin Zephaniah, Theatre Severn

Thursday 16th April 2009, 11:24AM BST.

Benjamin Zephaniah

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Benjamin Zephaniah has a relationship with Shropshire that is best defined as special. As a teenager, he was sent to a young offenders’ institution in the county.

Now he’s a hero whose fans turn out in droves whenever he returns.

For an exclusive video performance, click here

Last night, the rasta poet played to 600 followers at Theatre Severn. He gave a mesmerising display of deft wordplay, humorous anecdotes and amusing stories.

Zephaniah engaged with his audience at every possible turn, exhorting them to participate in a question and answer session or responding to friendly heckles and interruptions.

He displayed candour and honesty, describing one occasion when he and three others stole a white Rolls-Royce from the posh Birmingham suburb of Coleshill.

There were stories about living near Ozzy Osbourne, about stealing a girlfriend from a member of UB40 – then losing her when the band app- eared on Top Of The Pops.

But it was his straight-talking and rhythmic poetry that really sparkled.

A poem in memory of Stephen Lawrence was laced with invective and brutal truth.

Zephaniah gave us a night to remember with poems that burned magnesium bright.

Andy Richardson

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