Jan Off - Reading

Jan Off's readings are like riding the edge of a razor blade. Whether the 2001 National Poetry Slam champion sticks to his announced programme is as uncertain as whether he will charm his audience or insult them with equal charm. Digressions are the norm, spontaneous reactions to audience remarks are a given.

This is genuine stand-up, even if performed while sitting - often poetic, often political, but always entertaining. The author of the cult novel "Vorkriegsjugend" learned one lesson from his punk rock days: if nothing gets splattered, it's not his party.

His new book is called Cumulus 2161.