Description

Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which one critic has described as ?two people reading some poems?.

Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites ? and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands

Not ones to overpromise, Brian and Henry are prepared to commit to delivering the greatest poetry show in the history of the world or their names aren?t Brian Bilston and Henry Normal. An evening of poems to be enjoyed not endured.

"Distinctly funny" - Time Out

Advance Tickets are £22.50 + BF

BRIAN BILSTON
Brian Bilston has been described as the Banksy of poetry and Twitter?s unofficial Poet Laureate; with over 400,000 followers on social media, Brian has become truly beloved by the online community.
He has published several collections of poetry, including You Took the Last Bus Home and Alexa, what is there to know about love?, described by one reviewer as 'the funniest collection of humorous verse I have seen in a long time'. His novel Diary of a Somebody was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel award. He has also written poetry for children, including a collection of football poems, 50 Ways to Score a Goal, while his acclaimed poem Refugees was set to music by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and turned into a picture book.
Days Like These: An Alternative Guide to the Year in 366 Poems is his latest book and is out now in hardback, a brilliant collection of poems that will take the blues out of Monday, flatten the Wednesday hump and amplify that Friday feeling, from January through to December.

HENRY NORMAL
Henry Normal is a writer, poet, TV & Film producer, founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Literature festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival.
In June 2017 he was honoured with a special BAFTA for services to Television.

He co-wrote and script edited the multi-award winning Mrs Merton show and the spin off series Mrs Merton and Malcolm. He also co-created and co-wrote the first series of The Royle Family.
With Steve Coogan he co-wrote the BAFTA winning Paul and Pauline Calf Video Diaries, Coogan's Run, Tony Ferrino, Doctor Terrible and all three of Steve's live tours and the film The Parole Officer.

Setting up Baby Cow Productions Ltd in 1990, Henry Executive Produced all and script edited many of the shows of it's 17 and a half year output during his tenure as MD.

Highlights of the Baby Cow output during his time include the Oscar nominated film Philomena, I believe in Miracles, Gavin and Stacey, Moone Boy, Uncle, Marion and Geof, Nighty Night, The Mighty Boosh, Red Dwarf, Hunderby, Camping and Alan Partridge.

Since retiring in April 2016, Henry has written and performed 10 x BBC Radio 4 shows combining comedy, poetry and stories about family. His 11th BBC Radio 4 show 'A Normal Journey' will be recorded this autumn.

In April 2018, Two Roads publishers released his book of memoirs 'A Normal Family' which was written with his wife Angela Pell, drawing on his family experience. It immediately became a best seller on Amazon and has already been reprinted. The paperback was released on 21st March 2019.

Henry performs poetry at Literature Festivals around the UK and has eleven poetry books available from Flapjack. On 15th August this year Henry?s 12th poetry book entitled 'Collected Poems Volume 3' will be released, Henry?s 13th book 'A Moonless Night ' is also set for release on 28th February 2024.

He was recently given an honorary doctorate of letters by Nottingham Trent University, another by Nottingham University and has a beer and a bus named after him in Nottingham!

Description

Foxlowe Arts Centre is a community run arts centre for the people of Leek and The Staffordshire Moorlands.

Leek’s arts centre is housed in the historic building, Foxlowe, at the top of Leek’s market place.

Foxlowe Arts Centre opened its doors in December 2011 and has already gained a strong following from the local community and is attracting attention from further afield as well. Funded by individuals’ pledges, donations and trading proceeds and with the majority of the staff volunteering, this is truly a community arts centre for the people of Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands.

With a popular café, bar, gallery, live performance space for music, drama, comedy, talks and a cinema, the Foxlowe Arts Centre has rapidly established a reputation as the go to place in Leek.

Foxlowe arts centre has limited parking at the back of the building for permit holders and disabled users only. Some workshops will include a parking permit spaces are available. To access the car park follow parking signs on Stockwell Street signed ‘P Short Stay, Council Offices’ and turn left after the first parking bays – this is the entrance to Foxlowe arts centre car park for permit holders, disabled users and others with permission e.g. workshop attendees.

Market Place,

Leek,

Staffordshire,

England,

ST13 6AD.

01538 386112