Les Barker at North by Northwest
Last Sydney appearance! Sun 17th April 05

By Jenny O'Reilly
Posted Friday, April 1, 2005

We have been lucky to arrange a concert featuring this amazing and popular poet from the UK, this Sunday 17th April, at 2pm at North By Northwest Poetry and Folk Club - at the Cornucopia Cafe in Gladesville. This will be his last Sydney appearance this time around.

Some of you will have seen him before - maybe at the recent National Folk Festival, and for you, no description is necessary. For those of you who have never seen him, I will attempt to convey something of the Les Barker experience, although inevitably, this will not do him justice. The last time I saw him, I ended up coughing and spluttering from laughing so hard. One thing is certain - he is one of a kind! Here are a couple of quotes which might help.

Les Barker writes strange poems and comes from Manchester. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. He's written 72 books, which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don't quite believe what they've just heard. His poems have spawned a number of folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic, to name but two. - a self-description

Les Barker proves that poetry can indeed be entertaining, dazzling the audience with poems from his huge range of published works. His cardigan clad, unassuming manner on stage as he peers shyly at the audience through his spectacles, and his soft Manchester accent delivers the brilliant flow of words and ideas, leaving the listener gasping with laughter. - Gulf News, New Zealand

Whatever you do, don't miss seeing Les Barker at the Cornucopia! Entry will be at the special price of $15/$12. Booking is strongly recommended to ensure entry. There have been a number of bookings already and we are filling up fast, so let me know as soon as possible. It would also be a good idea to come early on the day. We will be starting promptly at 2pm.

The Cornucopia is one of the best acoustic venues in Sydney. There will be refreshments for sale and BYO's are welcome. It is in the grounds of the Old Gladesville Hospital, corner of Victoria Rd and Punt Rd Gladesville. If coming by car, enter by bottom gate in Punt Rd. Once inside grounds, take first turn left, up towards Victoria Rd, then bear left again, and turn left at the top, near the fence. Building is a two-storey stone building on your left, with the sign "Cornucopia Coffee Shop". Pedestrian access is from Victoria Road if travelling by 500/501 bus.

Tickets: $15/$12)

Enquiries:
Jenny/John (02) 9559 3658 (h) (0414) 903 259
Tony (02) 9858 7882 (w) (0409) 784 689

See you there!