Marvellous poetry and John Campbell

Richard Langston

Campbell Live reporter Richard Langston is a poet, don't you know it, with his second collection of verse - Henry, Come See the Blue - just released. Langston's first book, Boy (2003), was well-liked, and his style is an extension of his deceptively unassuming dry on-air persona.

In a long career in print and broadcasting, Wellington-based Langston has developed a flair for deflating pomp and exposing the charlatans, but he may be going too far with a claim that his 5-year-old corgi Butch, featured on Come See the Blue's back cover, can recite one of his master's poems "by barking syllables". But we could be wrong.

Langston will read from the new book on Friday night at the Gypsy Tearoom, with John Campbell MCing.

Richard Langston, Gypsy Tearoom, 455 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, from 7.30pm.