Review: Save Brent Libraries, 17/10/11: ‘Comedy. Community. Reformation’

I’ve never had much enthusiasm for helping the community. That may sound awful, but the word “community” always just makes me think of cake sales, old ladies crossing roads and those little neighbourhood watch stickers with meerkats on. Not that I am saying such things should be entirely shunned. Cakes are often delicious, old ladies often terrible at crossing roads and neighbourhoods often in need of watching. It is just that none of these things particularly excite me.

Bearing this in mind, you may be slightly surprised to hear that I spent last Monday evening at a “Save Brent Libraries” comedy benefit. Aside from my innate skepticism when it comes to helping others, this is surprising for another reason. Brent isn’t even my community. In fact, I live over an hour away.

I went for entirely selfish reasons… obviously. The lineup was incredible. Phil Jupitus, Alexei Sale and Robin Ince are probably worth £10 individually, let alone all together and, with further musical support from legendary singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, it all promised to be quite an evening of entertainment.  Frankly, the cause was barely an afterthought in my mind.

But that was before I heard about the struggle to save Brent libraries. Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Co-chair David Butcher talked of 24-hour vigils to stop bailiffs, of a refusal to negotiate by the council, and of the power of libraries. He talked about how libraries serve the most vulnerable in the community and how removing them was not only irresponsible, but morally wrong. He talked with the kind of passion that can only come from someone who really cares and I found myself genuinely moved.

With my cynicism blown out of the water, it was time for some comedy to return it to me. Up first was Alexei Sayle, who served up a delightful blend of stand-up and dramatic readings from his memoir, Stalin Ate My Homework. It was refreshingly bizarre to see such an established comic bound madly around the stage of a community school, displaying not a hint of dimmed enthusiasm. Spouting comical tales of his Merseyside upbringing by Communist party members, at one point he warned the parents of the children at the front of the hall, that things may get a little fruity towards the end of his set. He then proceeded to swear uncontrollably for a full minute, children still plainly in sight.

Next on the bill was Robin Ince, who took the crowd on a tour of all his favourite “bad” fiction, with particular focus on Guy N Smith’s Giant Killer Crab novels. Yep, that’s right… Giant Killer Crab novels. Acting as compere for the evening, Ince’s obvious love for all kinds of books was really rather endearing. A perfect host for the night’s proceedings, he managed to convey a real sense of concern for the cause.

After a swift interval and a couple of musical numbers from the wonderful Robyn Hitchcock, came the headline act. Arguably more famed for his long-term residency on Never Mind The Buzzcocks than his stand-up comedy these days, Phil Jupitus remains an absolute behemoth of the medium. Starting with a five-minute commentary on Robin Ince’s movements in the school lobby, Jupitus went on to cover a wide range of topics, not once allowing the crowd to stop laughing. Interspersed with readings from his book, Good Morning Nantwich, were musings on pre-pubescent porn hunting, the pains of fatherhood and the even stronger pains of seeing his face on Dave every five minutes. Apparently his first proper stand-up gig in ten years, he definitely still has it. As for the closure of local libraries, he simply said that it made him want to “punch people in the face”. A certain reformed member of the community can’t help but agree with him.

To hear more about the SOS Brent Libraries campaign or to donate, visit http://www.brentsoslibraries.org.uk/sos/