ATTILA the Stockbroker has spent 35 years on the road as a poet, musician and political activist. He stopped off at Le Pub to promote his recent autobiography Arguments Yard and support the Calais refugees at a fundraiser organised by Newport poet Des Mannay.

Attila took to the stage dressed in black with a shaved head and voice to rattle the windows of the attic venue, but his set revealed a man of great humour and affection who is as compelling when talking about his family history as when ranting against fascism and right wing politics.

His opening poem, Asylum Seeking Daleks, was a surreal piece of satire and fitting for the night’s cause. He delivered impassioned and humorous poems about lefties and xenophobia and sang unflattering songs about royals and politicians to the rough jangle of the mandola (a hefty cousin of the mandolin).

Turning to his autobiography he shared a hilarious account of a bladder examination along with a warning to other men to get checked down there if necessary. He showed his softer side with poems about his father who died when he was 10 and his stepfather and their reconciliation after 37 years. Other anecdotes featured his beloved team Brighton Albion and the time he was a replacement act for Donny Osmond, including a raucous rendition of Puppy Love.

Each piece revealed a new facet to an incredible body of work built up over an extraordinary lifetime by a true bard of the people.

Patrick Widdess