Rich Lansley is no stranger to Southsea’s buzzing comedy circuit. A prominent performer at festivals and gigs in the South, Rich has headlined at numerous poetry nights including the local cultural spotlight, The Southampton Fringe. The poet, comedian and writer has recently hit a career sweet spot; the release of his debut poetry anthology, “Be Bright. Be Bold” which was heavily influenced by Portsmouth and the surrounding area.
New Book Launch
Rich’s new book leans into his unique and delightfully eccentric brand of humour, drawing on the playful and energetic element of his spoken word performance. Rich says, “It’s all about being the best version of yourself that you can be. Living with conviction. It’s a collection of my work over the past couple of years. The book is split into three chapters- The Ground, The Waves and The Sky and each chapter centres around things you would find in those places. Some pages are very deep and other pages are very, very silly. “
Making People Laugh
Rich’s authentic power of making people laugh is one of the qualities which makes his writing so compelling. Audiences are always captivated by the subtle balance of humour and heart involved his shows. “I try to be honest when I write in the hopes that it will make a connection with others and making people laugh is a wonderful thing,” Rich tells me. “I’m not even sure if what I write is “poetry” necessarily. I think some of my work is poetic. I just try and write things that make me feel something, whether that’s something funny, sad, emotional or gets me thinking. If it makes me feel something, I know I have something worthwhile to explore.”
Simple Topics
Much of the inspiration for Rich’s writing comes from the world around him and this is reflected in “Be Bright. Be Bold.” Rich explains, “I try to pick relatable, simple topics, and then try to expand on those things as much as I can. I like to practise the art of noticing the ordinary and finding the magic in the mundane. I want to try and stay excited by life and not take anything for granted.”
Portsmouth’s unusual juxtaposition of urban landscape and quaint seaside town inspired much of the three chapters. From local dog walkers to the leaves and ocean birds, these are things that Rich sees on a daily basis in Pompey. Indeed, many of the original notes for the book were written whilst walking on Southsea Common or sat having a cup of coffee in Hunter Gather.
Although constantly creating through the medium of painting or writing, the fascination of live performance is what Rich describes as a ‘constant thing’ for him. He explains, “I just love it so much. It gives me a sense of peace, and for me, nothing else comes close. I love having the chance to be able to bear my soul in front of strangers.”
Poetry of Kindness
A supporting act for spoken word heavyweight Harry Barker, Rich is keen to ensure he projects a positive message. His work has been dubbed “the poetry of kindness,” urging greater compassion in a world which sometimes feels lonely and uncompromising. This tender ingredient to Rich’s tongue-in-cheek humour and blistering wordplay is key to his success. “I’ve always felt life is like some sort of comedy drama and I try to mirror this in my shows. One of my main goals when I’m in front of an audience is project a positive message. Even if it’s only 5 minutes in front of other people. I would want to use those 5 minutes to say something positive.”
Rich Lansley is currently working on a new hour-long show which will characterise his heartfelt blend of poetry, humour and emotion. His new book, “Be Bright. Be Bold” is now available to buy at richlansley.bigcartel.com.
By Caroline Brennan
