Romantics, Mystics & Revolutionaries
A storytelling storm of rebellion and enchantment
Pete (The Temp) Bearder + support from Gaia Harvey Jackson
 
The Romantic movement rose as an act of defiance — against empire, industry, and the mechanisation of the soul. 
This performance lecture blends scholarship with comedy, and poetry to conjure a spellbinding history of mysticism, sedition and psychedelic testing. 
What might these dreams of freedom and renewal offer our age of despair? Expect reverence, resistance, and wild imagination in this dramatic and engaging story.
Pete Bearder is an award-winning spoken word poet, author, and comic whose work has featured on BBC Radio 4, Newsnight, and the World Service.
“Pete’s ability to connect with people is unique and intoxicating — a highlight of the Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival.”— Lyra Poetry Festival

 
WHY NOW?
“There are moments in history that glimmer with a dream of transformation that’s as old as the lava that plots inside the belly of the Earth…”
The Romantic movement began as a rebellion — against empire, industry, and the mechanisation of the soul.
This show reconnects their 18th-century dream of freedom with today’s struggles for ecological and spiritual renewal. It invites audiences to feel reverence, resistance, and wild imagination in an age of despair.

 
ABOUT PETE
Pete Bearder is an award-winning spoken word poet, author and comic whose work has been featured on BBC Radio 4, Newsnight and the World Service. He is a former Hammer & Tongue UK Poetry Slam champion and has performed in over fifteen countries with organisations that include The British Council. His last stage show Homer to Hip Hop appeared over sixty times around the UK.
“Poetry’s answer to Mark Thomas.” — Chortle “Challenging, inspiring and amusing.” — The Ecologist “Fresh, empowering and fun.” — Shambala Festival
🌐 www.petethetemp.co.uk

 
🎬 FOOTAGE
🎥 Launch Show Reel (1 min): YouTube link
🎥 Live Excerpt — Drug Testing (1 min): Instagram link
🎥 Live Excerpt — Enchantment (2 min): Instagram link

 
💬 TESTIMONIALS
“Pete the Temp’s extraordinary new show is a dynamic mix of lecture, music, and enchantment. He guides us through the lives of Wordsworth and Coleridge to reveal how they were creative revolutionaries of their time. Pete’s ability to connect with people is unique and intoxicating — a highlight of the Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival.” — Lyra Poetry Festival
“Remembering, reviving, and re-enacting the Romantics. We were all very moved.” — Alfoxton House (home of William Wordsworth)
“Well researched, accessible, and fun.” — Audience member “A spellbinding journey.” — Audience member

Description

The Barrel House Ballroom stands as a significant cultural asset within Totnes, a dedicated hub for live performance that extends its influence across South Devon. Supported by Arts Council England and operating in collaboration with Sorting Room Studios, it plays a crucial role in sustaining the grassroots music ecosystem, actively contributing to initiatives like the Music Venue Trust. This commitment positions it beyond a mere commercial enterprise, fostering a vibrant space for artistic development and community engagement.

Inside, the venue offers an authentic atmosphere where the reverberating sound of live music fills the air. The space, often bathed in the warm glow of stage lights, feels intimate yet capable of holding a substantial energy, providing a direct connection between performers and audience. It is a setting designed for focused appreciation of sound and performance.

Located on the High Street, the Ballroom is situated on the first floor, with access currently via stairs. While seating is limited, the venue is actively exploring solutions to enhance accessibility for all patrons. On the ground floor, the Totnes Brewing Co. provides a selection of craft beers and other beverages, which can be enjoyed upstairs during events.

The programming at The Barrel House Ballroom is broad, encompassing a regular schedule of live music from various genres, alongside comedy nights, spoken word events, and DJ sets. It is also a consistent home for community-led initiatives, including open mic sessions and jam nights, providing a platform for local talent to develop and connect.