About Us

Whats in a WORD!

WORD! is the longest running and most established poetry and spoken word night in the Midlands. It takes place at The Y Theatre, Leicester on the first Tuesday of each month and attracts audiances of between 70 and 150 people. In addition to programming such diverse artists as Patience Agbabi, Mimi Khalvati, Zena Edwards and Pete Sansom we are unique in the country for being supported by live sound and film visuals.

Format.

The evening commences at 8pm and consists of an open mic and booked act. In the first half there are 10 open mic slots of 3 mins each. After a 15 minute interval there are 10 slots more. A quality booked artist performs at around 10pm. The evening concludes at around 10.30pm.

Multimedia.

To our knowledge WORD! is currently unique in the country for being supported by consistent live film feed and bespoke film visuals.

Film visuals are provided by a resident filmmaker and consist of live feed and bespoke visuals. These are provided free of charge and on demand, capacity allowing. To take advantage of this service, artists performing on the open mic should enquire by email, sending the piece they plan to perform, 2 weeks or more before the event. At the event they will then be able to perform against a backdrop of live, personally tailored visuals. Individual trailers of performances are also available. For more information email the organizers, see ‘Contact Us’.

Live music and audio is provided by our resident DJ. In addition to finely crafted music in-between halves, there is the option of having your work supported by any audio you may happen to have. Again, for more information, see ‘Contact Us’.

A handy rundown on the night:

1. WORD! is the longest running spoken word night in the Midlands.

2. It always features an open mic AND an exciting pro booked act.

3. If you want to perform on the open mic, arrive for 7pm - the list fills fast.

4. The night kicks off at 8pm. The interval’s around 9pm. We’re done by 10.30pm.

5. We're really sorry, we can’t pre-book slots.

6. We love you. We love your work. Your ORIGINAL work...leave the Keats and Hegley for the interval, read your own - poetry/spoken word - over the mic.

7. Slots are maxium of 3 minutes each, including introductions,

8. WORD! is constituted voluntary group, run entirely on its ticket price. Your ticket price pays for the booked act - without whom the night would be less of a night.

9. For reasons of continuity WORD! is presented by a small and devout band of poet comperes. These are: Jean 'Binta' Breeze, Lydia Towsey, Tim Sayers and Stephanie Fawcett. Like crops, we work on rotation.