This weekend there will be an opportunity to hear poetry and party as a popular Nottingham festival celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Organisers have put together a stellar line-up of acclaimed poets who are performing and also celebrating a decade of the Nottingham Poetry Festival.

The event kicks off at Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday (22) with performaces from Henry Normal, Lemn Sissay, Joelle Taylor and Salena Godden.

The evening will be hosted by Cara Thompson, Nottingham’s first Nature Poet Laureate and winner of UNESCO Cities of Literature’s international slam poetry competition Slamovision. 

A special Community Party is then being held at Metronome on Sunday (23) offering a heartfelt thanks to Nottingham’s vibrant spoken word community that has been at the heart of the festival for the last 10 years. 

The Anniversary Performance will be an evening of fantastic sets from a range of voices who have helped build the festival, celebrating the shared history.

Creative director Alma Solarte-Tobon said: “This event is a heartfelt thank you to every person and group that has been part of the journey over the last decade. It will showcase the brilliant local groups, publishers and poets who form the backbone of Nottingham’s poetry scene.”

There will be a poetry fair, performances and open mics from poetry groups from across the city including Speech Therapy, DIY poets, GOBS, Poets Off The Endz and more. Free access to the day events, with guests invited to make a donation for the evening performance.

Nottingham Poetry Festival was founded in 2015 by Henry Normal, Craig Chettle and Tommy Rosley. Over the years, the festival has brought national names to the city including Carol Anne Duffy, Jackie Kay, Wendy Cope, Roger McGough, John Hegley, Simon Armitage, Mark Grist, Yomi Sode, Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen. 

The independent bookseller Postscript Books is the headline sponsor for the Playhouse show. 

Kate Summerhayes, Postscript Books, said: “We value the opportunity to support an event that celebrates creativity, expression and the enduring power of poetry.

It’s a pleasure to be part of a programme that brings poets, readers and writers together – whether you’re a lifelong lover of verse or are newly inspired by the rhythm and beauty of poetry.”

Nottingham Poetry Festival director Tommy Rosley said: “It was so hard to pick just a few of our favorite poets for this show. We’d have loved to include more as there have been so many truly special performances over the last 10 years but we know our four poets will put on a very special anniversary show. So whether you’re a festival regular or coming for the first time, this is not to be missed.”

A Decade of Nottingham Poetry Festival starts on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets start from £29.50 plus booking fee. To book, go to https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/nottingham-poetry-festival/

The Community Party at Metronome on Sunday (23) takes place between 3pm-10pm.

About the poets…

Co-creator of The Royle Family and producer of Gavin & Stacey and Philomena, Henry Normal is a leading figure in UK comedy and poetry. Founder of both Manchester and Nottingham Poetry Festivals, Henry returns for this special anniversary to share his warm, witty, and deeply observational work about everyday life.

Henry said: “The seed we planted 10 years ago and nursed into a sapling has grown each year with care and attention and flourishes today throughout Nottingham. We now have one of the most popular poetry festivals in the country with its  roots firmly in the local community.”

Lemn Sissay performed at the very first festival in 2015. A renowned broadcaster, playwright, and the author of several poetry collections. Lemn is also a former official poet of the FIFA World Cup and is celebrated for his powerful, captivating performances that explore themes of identity, family, and home.

Award winning poet Joelle Taylor is known for her fierce, lyrical exploration of gender, community, and queer culture. Her TS Eliot Prize-winning collection C+NTO & Othered Poems is being adapted for stage and screen. After delivering a blistering performance at the 2022 festival, the organisers were delighted to secure her for the special anniversary show.

Salena Godden is one of the UK’s most dynamic literary voices and on the wishlist for the festival for many years. The award-winning novelist, poet and broadcaster of mixed Jamaican and Irish heritage won the Indie Book Award and People’s Book Prize, and her poetry is on permanent display at the People’s History Museum.