Jem Rolls: The Man, the Myth, the Magic
by sarah pearson
Today is a happy day, because today Jem Rolls is performing the Fringe Festival, and I’m going to see him.
Jem is a true Canadian Fringe Circuit legend. The Scotsman is as much a constant to the Fringe as, well, St Ambroise ale. Last year my old roommate had a birthday during the Toronto Festival. “I’m taking myself to see Jem,” she told me, when I asked how she planned to spend the day.
Having venue-managed for him in 2003, having shared a few nice chats, and having nodded many a hello at many a beer tent at many a Canadian Fringe, I finally managed to actually see his show last year in Toronto. And then I understood.
Jem is a spoken-word artist by definition, and he truly is a master of this form. On paper alone he is a magnificent poet, but like any great performer, he literally embodies the words he speaks to such a high extent. He makes it easy to keep track of his wit, his puns, his metaphors and his first-class imagery. No lover of words should miss this show.
More to come when I’ve actually seen it!
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Published on: June 13th, 2007
Terms Used: Blog, fringe, jem rolls, montreal fringe, Poetry, spoken word, st-ambroise, toronto fringe
About: sarah pearson
Sarah Pearson is a writer, singer, and player-of-keys based in Montreal. She loves bicycles, old pianos and Ile Sans Fils cafés.
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I used to go to school with “Jeramy Rolls” and Scotish he aint!!!!
Born and bread in the south east if England. Camberley Surry to be precise.
Rgds B.P.
Posted on September 25th, 2008 at 8:45 am [permalink]
heheh - thanks for the correction B.P… I feel like you have some stories to tell about this storyteller…=)
Posted on September 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am [permalink]
Ah do you want the “Body under the floor boards” one or the “Caught naked with a headless sheep” story?
No such luck!!!
“Jem” was at school with me and we used to hang around in the same group. Nice bloke,never did anything poetic around me. I do remember him being violently sick at a party once, shortly before I was!
I would like to go and see him if ever he performs in Manchester.
Rgd B.P
Posted on September 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am [permalink]
ah, the violently sick stories.. classic. i don’t fully trust a person without an irresponsibly drunk till sick story. shows character. =)
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm [permalink]
You’ll like me a lot then!
Posted on October 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm [permalink]