AFTER a profoundly compelling night where the spoken word was so masterfully crafted to evoke a powerful and tangible reaction from the audience, it seems an almost impossible task to sum up the night.

At the relatively tender age of 28, spoken word poet Kate Tempest headlined Tuesday's bill at Pocklington Arts Centre with support from a wonderfully dynamic Yorkshire group of poets, or as they are known, "A Firm of Poets".

Tempest is regarded by many as Britain’s leading young poet, playwright and rapper, and on Tuesday it was clear to see why.

The show was a performance of poems from her second book, Hold Your Own. Her first, Brand New Ancients, which toured as a stage production that came to the West Yorkshire Playhouse, saw her become the youngest ever winner of the Ted Hughes Prize.

Hold Your Own is a collection of poems based around the story of the blind prophet Tiresias, Tempest using this character from Greek mythology to envelop stories around him; stories of sex and love, wealth and poverty, and community and alienation.

As she weaved her way through poems entwining classical myth, empathic and intelligent social commentary, and autobiographical openness, she drew an attentive and emotional response from the audience.

Delivering each poem with her unique melodic lilts, endearing south London grit and a really gentle, humble charm, she affirmed herself as an asset to the poetry scene, to Britain, to society. A voice of reason in the modern world, and one of the brightest talents around.

- Gemma Rossi