Review: The Words of Others Are All We Have at Social Refuge is ‘a love letter to Manchester’

Based on the Louise Machen’s latest poetry anthology of the same name, The Words of Others are All We Have, offers an in-depth look at the harsh realities of growing up as part of the working class in Manchester.

From playing games of Kerby and the feeling of cobbles underfoot, The Words of Others Are All We Have centres the small details many of the audience will know intimately and pays them the attention they deserve.

The Words of Others Are All We Have at Social Refuge

Performed by Louise Machen and J. Daniel West, The Words of Others Are All We Have is one-part poetry reading, one-part performance.

Two characters wait for an ever-elusive bus and as they do so, they look back at their life spent in Manchester; in between solving crossword clues, they bemoan the effects of gentrification.

The bus stop itself is replicated with a prop so realistic, you can almost feel the cold metal seat below you!

Louise Manchen’s poetry is powerful and heartfelt

Louise Manchen’s poetry is powerful and heartfelt, often drawing murmurs of recognition and belly laughs from the audience. Because it is performed within the guise of a conversation it feels familiar and colloquial. This is in keeping with the tone and really makes the more impactful lines stand out.

Some of that impact is unfortunately lost, however, due to the noise of the café above the venue. It can be hard to concentrate on criticisms of the class divide when I Wanna Dance with Somebody is playing loudly at the same time!

A thought-provoking production

The Words of Others Are All We Have is a strong and cohesive anthology with many thought-provoking poems. At the end of the half an hour run time, the audience are left to wonder what it means to live in a city so focused on bringing new people here, that it leaves its own behind.

The Words of Others are All We Have is a love letter to Manchester that embraces all its rough edges. For those who might be intimidated by poetry, this is a great place to start! The prose is accessible and straightforward, while still being very gritty and evocative.

Tickets for The Words of Others Are All We Have

The Words of Others Are All We Have is at Social Refuge as part of the Manchester Fringe Festival, information can be found by clicking here

To pre-order the anthology, visit Louise Manchen’s website here