Poetry / Spoken Word
Former Poet Laureate for Scotland Jackie Kay reads from her new collection, May Day, and shares stories from her unique journey to becoming ‘one of Britain’s most loved and lauded poets’, and her politically active life, from Reclaim the Streets to Gay Pride to Black Lives Matter. Jackie recently starred in BBC One’s In My Own Words series. She will be in conversation with writer Joelle Taylor.
| Event Date | Sat 1 Mar 3:00pm |
| Individual Price | £15.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 01 Mar, Culture & Diversity, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word, Politics |
Jamaican reggae poet, activist and critic Linton Kwesi Johnson performs a selection of his poetry and talks about his latest book, Time Come, in conversation with author Jacqueline Crooks.
| Event Date | Sat 1 Mar 7:00pm |
| Individual Price | £15.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 01 Mar, Art & Music, Biography & Memoir, Culture & Diversity, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word, Politics |
Britain’s treasured poet Pam Ayres has been making the nation laugh for 50 years. She rose to fame after winning Opportunity Knocks in 1975 and is still one of the country’s favourite performance poets. Pam will be in Faversham performing from her new collection, Doggedly Onward: A Life in Poems. Not to be missed!
For tickets click the 'Details' button to see options & prices.
| Event Date | Tue 25 Feb 4:00pm |
| Individual Price | Sold Out |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Tue 25 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
A lifetime of poetry collected in one volume, plus stories, anecdotes and lots of laughs as Roger McGough, one of the nation’s most revered poets, performs work from his new anthology. This event includes a 20-min interval.
| Event Date | Wed 26 Feb 8:00pm |
| Individual Price | £16.00 |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Wed 26 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker's new show celebrating the wonder that is being alive. Featuring brand new poems about wellies, postcodes and his favourite German wheat beer Schöfferhofer, the maths-loving, TED-talking battle-rapper brings his signature playfulness and poignancy that has made him a favourite in Kent and worldwide.
| Event Date | Fri 21 Feb 7:00pm |
| Individual Price | Sold out |
| Location | The Alexander Centre |
| Categories | 2025, Fri 21 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
A 40-minute set from unmissable Scots spoken word performer Len Pennie, whose debut collection, Poyums, was an instant bestseller, combining her wit and distinctive voice with her fierce feminism. Len is followed by 10 poets battling it out with word play and top-notch performance to win the Slam cash prize. With host Angela Dye. Not to be missed!
| Event Date | Fri 28 Feb 7:30pm |
| Individual Price | £10.00 |
| Location | The Old Brewery Store |
| Categories | 2025, Fri 28 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Much is made of the distinction between poems written for the page, and pieces that have performance at their heart. This event will feature a panel discussion looking at the similarities and differences between these two forms, followed by a Q&A session and an extended Open Mic event. Put your name down on the day if you would like to join the Open Mic, happening in the intimate Arden Theatre.
| Event Date | Sat 1 Mar 12:30pm |
| Individual Price | £10.00 |
| Location | The Arden Theatre |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 01 Mar, Local Authors, Panel Discussion, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Readings from widely published poets Christopher Horton, Mat Riches and Matthew Stewart.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 4:30pm |
| Individual Price | Event full |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
One of Britain’s best loved writers and performance poets for children and adults, Michael Rosen returns to Faversham to perform some of his favourite poems and share with readers a barrage of fun and wisdom from his new collections... get ready for some of the weirdest poems of all time! Age 7+
| Event Date | Wed 26 Feb 5:30pm |
| Individual Price | Sold out – waiting list full |
| Location | St Mary of Charity |
| Categories | 2025, Wed 26 Feb, Performance, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Poetry readings with Michael Bartholomew-Biggs, poetry editor of the online magazine London Grip; Maggie Harris, whose new collection is I Sing to the Greenhearts (Feb 2025); and Rosie Johnston, who has a new collection, Safe Ground, forthcoming in 2025.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 5:30pm |
| Individual Price | Event full |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Local poet Jane O'Brien hosts an Open Mic fundraiser event for selected charities. See details for how to take part.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 6:30pm |
| Individual Price | Event full |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Maggie Brookes-Butt will be launching Wish: New and Selected Poems. Plus readings by Nancy Charley, Fiona Sinclair and Melinda Walker.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 3:30pm |
| Individual Price | Event full |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | Poetry Hub, Sat 22 Feb, Free Events, Free Events, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Local poets perform a selection from their most recent publications. Click on the 'Details' box to see the full line-up and reserve a place. Includes an Open Mic slot, 6.30–8.30pm.
| Event Date | Sat 22 Feb 3:30pm |
| Individual Price | Free |
| Location | The Guildhall |
| Categories | 2025, Sat 22 Feb, Poetry / Spoken Word |
An exhibition by a poetry group at Faversham’s Abbey Physic Community Garden – in support of mental well-being, promoting confidence and an interest in poetry as a cathartic medium – is on display at the Tourist Information Centre from Monday 17 Feb to Tuesday 2 March.
As part of the exhibition there is an OPEN MIC on Tuesday 25 February only, 12noon–2pm, at Faversham Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. All welcome – just turn up with your poem on the day.
| Event Date | Tue 25 Feb 12:00pm |
| Individual Price | Free event |
| Categories | Free Events, Tue 25 Feb, Local Authors, Poetry / Spoken Word |
Faversham Literary Festival CIC