MICHAEL THE LIVING POET AND FRIENDS Until 17 Mar 2012 Review by Brian Godfrey This show is not slick in any way – mics haven’t been tested, one of the artists (not Michael) loses his lines and concentration and decides not to do a couple of his planned pieces – but it is extremely HONEST! Michael and his guests, Walter and David (no surnames given) are all street buskers and have never performed an indoor show as such, but they do know their stock in trade – writing and performing songs and poetry. As Michael states at one stage during the proceedings, they are all quite nervous (which should dissipate throughout the season), but want to open their hearts and share their love of writing, and in Michael’s case, his true blue Aussie patriotism. It is this love of his country that one has to admire about Michael. His poetry is wonderfully Australian and covers the country’s splendour and grandeur, its ANZACS and Diggers, and even some of its celebrities who died young and tragically (i.e. Belinda Emmett and Steve Irwin). It was Irwin’s death that prompted Michael to start putting pen to paper. “Michael the Living Poet and Guests” is what these three performers are: laid-back, simple, basic and open. When watching this show, one is reminded of what the Fringe was originally conceived as – a chance for performers to strut their stuff with no frills attached. Rating: 2.5 stars (out of 5)