Verbalise

Warehouse Seated

Verbalise is one of Brewery Arts’ most beloved community events, where emerging voices meet world-renowned artists on a shared stage. Join us either Live or Online, sign up and take part, or sit back and enjoy!

28 June – Guest poet Kelly Davis

Freelance editor Kelly Davis has published poetry in Mslexia, Magma, and more. She co-authored Glory Days and coordinates the North Cumbria Stanza group.

26 July – Guest poet Francis Prendiville

Francis, from Merseyside, worked in education before writing the novel Mr Harris Makes It Up and co-authoring two drama books.

27 September – Special with Guest Poet Rose Condo

This event will take place in the Malt Room with Cabaret Seating. There are Live Tickets only, as it is a special event, which will be £11. Doors will be 7pm.

Rose Condo is a Canadian-born, Prestwich-based multi-award-winning poet and spoken word artist. Come and hear some work from her shows The Empathy Experiment, How to Starve an Artist and The Geography of Me and a scratch premiere of part of her brand-new show.

Enjoy a delicious pizza before the comedy starts! We’ll take your order from the comfort of your table and bring your tasty pre-show meal straight to you. Pizza orders must be made before 7.40pm on the night.

1 October – Poetry Slam-bria!

The Poetry Slam for Cumbria and Lancashire poets, sign up with annthepoet@gmail.com for your 3 minutes on stage and a copy of the slam rules. There are 14 spots available (on a first-come, first-served basis); bring your friends to cheer you on. All work must be original and written on this year’s National Poetry Day theme of Play.  Enter by 1 September to secure your spot. The overall winner will receive the slam trophy and a paid spot at Verbalise in 2026.

25 October – Guest Poet Matt Windle

Matt Windle is an English professional boxer and poet. He is a former Commonwealth light-flyweight champion and three-time Birmingham Poet Laureate.

13 December – Guest Poet Dominic Berry

Queer, vegan poet Dominic Berry presents his favourite poems from his collections Tomorrow I Will go Dancing, Wizard, Tigers and Yes Life, along with new poetry designed to engage and inspire.

About your host

Ann Grant is the co-founder and host of Verbalise. It’s important to her that the space is friendly, welcoming, accessible and has a sense of community. Ann has hosted live events in pubs, festivals and theatres across the UK. She has been the South Cumbria Poet Laureate, and she’s a workshop facilitator who enjoys collaborations and writing for wellbeing.

“You’re a cracking host!” Shaun Fallows, guest poet

More about the event

Verbalise was formed in 2009 to create a platform for emerging performance poets in the Cumbria and Lancashire area. Writers from all disciplines are welcome to perform for 4 minutes or less on the open mic, including storytellers, songwriters, novelists and comedians.

At each event, we have a featured guest who is an established or emerging writer. We have a no hate speech policy, and the performers and audience respect each other with people new to reading their words being encouraged and welcomed.

Please email annthepoet@gmail.com to book your open mic spot of up to 4 mins, including introductions. Include your words so they can be screen-shared during your performance. Please state if you will be attending live or online. 

See all Comedy and Spoken Word events here.