Polarbears Spoken Film reminds Naima Khan of the conversations she wishes she'd had.
When I interviewed Steve Camden, the spoken word artist aka Polarbear about the inspiration for his latest piece Return, it didn't take us long before we were analysing the effects of London town on its newcomers. “You came to university in London? That in itself blows my mind. I went to university in Leeds, a university town. Universities in London are like tiny little pockets in this beast. If I'd a been in London when I was 18 I don't know what would have happened, it would've been dangerous. I went to uni to grow up. Turns out, I grew up late.”
Return is the story of Noah, who's still growing up. This isn't his maturing exactly but a glimpse into the gap he's discovered since returning to his home town: the gap between the reasons he thought he left and the reality of what he left behind. He rediscovers his little brother, Dominic, an almost adult that he doesn't quite recognise but is enjoying getting to know again. He gets some TLC from his mum and grandpa but the strained communication that sent him away is still there. If anything, we don't get to hear enough about these inviting, resonating characters.
Inspired by his relationship with his home town Birmingham and his long-term residence London, it's the notion of 'home' Camden's exploring with Return: "London's a strange place isn't it? Even people here have a love/hate relationship with it. There are times when I crave home. Hopefully the piece gets this across, but I had to leave to realise it's important. It's all I ever write about. It's always my starting point, things that have happened there, people that I know, it feels like home still but a home that I can't actually live in, which sounds really melodramatic!”
This 'Spoken Film' is a campfire tale far from melodrama. It's an effective verbal demonstration of a universal concept, of leaving, feeling out of touch and wanting something you can't really have. Sadly the visual aspect is a little lost on me. The projections that highlight poignant moments in Noah's story are certainly something different in the realm of spoken word and can be thoroughly affective on rare occasions but for the most part, they're distracting. The story on the other hand is consistently compelling, though a little difficult to get to grips with at first, only because this form of spoken word, this 'spoken film' is unlike anything you might expect.
It's not hard work but it does challenge the audience: we're required to engage, to think, things aren't explained but pictures are painted. He's no impressionist but this storyteller's voice conveys many characters from old school mates to old men and the women in between. He reminds you of the conversations you wish you'd had or imagine you one day will.
Return runs at Battersea Arts Centre until 25th March
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