Preview: No Sleep ‘Til Scotland! at Alphabetti Theatre

Nine spoken word shows in just one day!

No Sleep ‘Til Scotland!

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre,

Saturday 1 August 2015.

In a brand-new partnership, Apples and Snakes together with Alphabetti Theatre are starting a new annual tradition in the north-east cultural calendar with this showcase of performance poetry en route to Edinburgh.

Nine artists from around the country have been invited to preview their full-length solo shows in Newcastle’s newest theatre space, a chance for them to hone their bucket pitches and impress reviewers before crossing the border to craziness that is Edinburgh fringe festival. 

David Lee Morgan with ‘Building God’

Audiences can expect a staggering variety of styles and subjects, from dark literary fairy tales to scathing political satires, and all in a ‘drop-in’ festival format. If the next show doesn’t take your fancy, simply take a break at the outdoor buskers’ stage for some music, open mic and a bite to eat.

Agnes Torok with 

‘If You’re Happy And You 

Know It – Take This Survey’

Kirsten Luckins, who is the North Co-ordinator for Apples and Snakes said “Both Alphabetti and Apples are committed to fostering excellent new writing and supporting emerging artists. It made complete sense for us to work together on this event, which will introduce audiences to a wide variety of high-quality, thought-provoking and entertaining spoken word shows”. 

Matt MacDonald with

‘Something Wicked

This Way Comes’

In keeping with our passion for developing artists, we have invited regional artists with debut shows to rub shoulders with multiple-award-winning veterans of the scene. The line-up includes several award-winners and slam-winners, including the 2014 BBC Slam Champion David Lee Morgan. Our headline act is a new piece from Sophia Walker, whose previous works have been voted Best Solo Spoken Word Show in the Saboteur Awards two years running.

Ali Pritchard, Artistic Director of Alphabetti Theatre, added “We are so excited to have this event with us, having artists like Sophia Walker and David Lee Morgan on our stage is something really special and it’s we can’t wait to welcome back the likes of AJ McKenna and Jenni Pascoe with their debut solo shows.”

Tickets

No Sleep ‘Til Scotland! Comes to Alphabetti Theatre, Basement, 18 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle NE1 8AW on Saturday 1 August 2015, 11am – 1am

Tickets: FREE! Pay what you want in the bucket at the end!

Full List Of Shows And Artist Blogs

Jennie Pascoe with ‘Workie Ticket’

How many times can you fall on your feet and get the cream before you get to your ninth life?

Jenni Pascoe is the founder and host of the immensely successful spoken word cabaret, JibbaJabba.

Matt MacDonald with ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’

Remember when you were scared of the dark? You soon will…fairy tales – with no happily ever after.

Matt MacDonald is published by Red Squirrel Press. This is his debut show.

Henry Raby with ‘Up The Nerd Punks!’

Henry dissects friendship, growing up, protest, feminism and dinosaurs. Think Joe Strummer battling a Tory-voting Darth Vader.

Henry Raby is the founder and host of York’s Say Owt Slam.

Agnes Torok with ‘If You’re Happy And You Know It – Take This Survey’

A show about pursuing and finding happiness in strange and scientific places.

Agnes Torok won the PBH award for Best International Spoken Word Show in 2014 and is a multiple slam-winner, current holder of the StAnza Slam title.

Hannah Chutzpah with ‘Asking Nicely’

All about the power dynamics of permission and politeness – with rhymes and reasons. Contains: feminism, funnies, psychology, sociology, wit and wordplay

Hannah Chutzpah is a poet and activist, and runs Whippersnapper Press.

David Lee Morgan with ‘Building God’

Communism or Oblivion? London, UK and BBC slam poetry champion spits over music tracks produced and mixed by CloudFistConceptz.

David Lee Morgan is the current BBC Slam champion.

Sara Hirsch with ‘How Was It For You?’

A hilariously awkward, poetic unravelling of what it is to be single for the first time since being a teenager.

Sara Hirsch was UK Slam Champion 2013/14. This is her debut show.

AJ McKenna with ‘The Howl Of the Bantee’

An angry trans lesbian poet bashes back at Banter Culture.

AJ McKenna is a multi-slam winning poet and activist.

Sophia Walker with ‘Cult Friction’

When cult tactics meet Apple's marketing machines, can Jane Fonda and a belieber save us?

Sophia Walker is a former BBC Slam champion, and winner of the Saboteur Award for Best Spoken Word Show 2013 and 2014.