Spoken Word, Poetry

Loud Poets

with Ria Bronte, Leyla Josephine, William Letford & Deanna Rodger

(Fri 8 Dec: 7:30pm)

Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night! From laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional – Loud Poets continue to prove that Spoken Word has something for everyone.

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Ria Bronte has performed at festivals around Europe, co-winning Glasgow's slam heat, taking part in the BBC showcase at London's Roundhouse and she has published her work in various local magazines. Ria speaks candidly on topics such as self determinism, obsession, strength, sexuality and eroticism, the self under capitalism, religion, family, spirituality, and the reunion of soul, mind and body. She testifies to both the suffering and brilliance of the human experience, and her performances are a permission slip to be raw and unashamed about all and any of it. "Like Kali, she has a mouth endowed with the power to dismember the defences of a whole room"

Leyla Josephine is a poet, film and theatre maker from Glasgow. Leyla’s first short film Groom was Scottish BAFTA and Critics Circle Award Nominated. It won First Prize for Direction at Academy affiliated Flickers Fest, Best Cinematography at Interlink Berlin, Best Short Film at World of Film Festival, and Best Short Film HB Festival. It was screened at BFI London Film Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival. Leyla was mentored by award winning Lynne Ramsay during the process. She was named as one of Screen International Rising Stars 2022. She is currently developing two features, one with Screen Scotland and one with Young Films with mentorship from Olivia Hetreed with commissioner Film4. Her solo show Daddy Drag was the winner of 2019 Autopsy Award celebrating artists making ground-breaking work in Scotland, her show Hopeless was shortlisted for Saboteur’s Best Spoken Word show 2017. Her poetry book In Public/In Private was released last year with Burning Eye Books. Her play Ms Campbell’s Class 4th Period was published with Bloomsbury press in 2023 and performed globally as part of Wonderfools Positive Stories for Negative Times.

William Letford published his first collection of poetry while working as a roofer. Since then, his work has been adapted into film, projected onto buildings, carved into monuments, adapted for the stage, cast out over the radio, and performed by orchestras. He has helped restore a medieval village in the mountains of Northern Italy, taught English in Japan, and been invited to perform in Iraq, South Korea, Lebanon, Australia, Germany, India, Poland, and many more countries.

Deanna Rodger is a poet and facilitator. She featured on The Art That Made Us (BBC1) and her reimagined version of ‘If’ was read by Serena Williams for International Womens Day (BBC Sport). Her poetry has been welcomed all across the world including.; Mexico, Sudan, and Beirut, and commissions include; Adidas, FIFA, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nationwide, Young Vic, and BBC Sport.

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'Loud Poets is tearing up the landscape, bringing the ancient art to contemporary audiences – spreading mirth, giggles and talent along the way.' (Corr Blimey)

'Go listen to Loud Poets and hear them say the things you’ve been trying to say yourself.' (Shane Koyczan)

'There’s a humour, poignancy and most of all confidence which serves to inspire.' (The Scotsman)

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The Loud Poets 2023 Live Season is funded by Creative Scotland and the National Lottery.