Three of North’s top poets descend on Preston for a night of spoken word

A diverse range of the North’s strongest voices will descend on Preston later this month for a powerful night of poetry.

Spoken Word in the City is a unique one-off event where poets John Darwin, Sharena Lee Satti and Rich Davenport will take to the stage of The Ferret to deliver a night of stunning storytelling.

The three poets will perform at Preston’s famous independent music venue The Ferret, which continues to deliver an exciting mix of music and theatre despite its uncertain future.

The venue is currently working with the Music Venue Trust to raise funds to buy the building in which it is housed.

The diverse lineup will platform three of the strongest voices in the north of England in a unique triple bill of poetry.

John Darwin, who supported Mike Garry at The Ferret in 2019, was the winner of Best Spoken Word Performance at Greater Manchester Fringe last year.

Tony Walsh said of Darwin: “John poetry echoes richly from all the harshly lit tap rooms and faded lounge bars of life. Poetry that leaves us drunk on its honesty but thirsty for more. Bitter, mild and sparkling poetry.”

Bradford-based Sharena Lee Satti, who was shortlisted for the Northern Asian Powerlist in 2022, is an advocate for female voices. Her next poetry collection will be published in October 2023.

Rich Davenport has a background in stand-up comedy – but has swapped gags for poetry. His latest book of comedy poems Horsetrousers has just been released.

Stand-up poet Kate Fox described him as “a hilarious performer and poet, very much in the classic Northern comic mould – a hint of Peter Kay, a touch of Victoria Wood and Henry Normal. Had the audience in the palm of his hand”.

Spoken Word in the City has been organised by Enjoy the Show, the events company which has brought Henry Normal, Kate Fox, Tony Walsh, Mike Garry and Hollie McNish to Preston. Enjoy the Show are also behind Lancashire Photography Festival and the long-running Lancashire Fringe Festival.

The event is at The Ferret on Thursday, January 26, 2023 – doors 7pm, show starts 8pm. Tickets cost £7. Tickets link.

Will you be heading to The Ferret? Let us know in the comments.