- Duration: 2hrs plus interval
- Tickets: Standard £15 | Pay more £20 | Pay less £10
- Ages: 16+
- Details
- Parking & Access
Details
!This event has a content warning warning +
Contains strong language, and themes of an adult nature.
How do you make sense of a world that’s more chaotic than ever? With poetry, of course! Join Edinburgh Fringe veteran Tina Sederholm and her gang of Oxford spoken word powerhouses, Rehema Njambi, Em Pritchard and Clare Bold as they shine the flashlight of poetry into the swirling abyss called our world and illuminate some hope, compassion joy.
Don’t miss this unforgettable and uplifting showcase of their most funny, uplifting and inspiring work, and of course, the now legendary game, ‘My crap poem is worse than your crap poem’.
And as if that weren’t enough, our headliner is Sky Arts Award nominee and host of Birmingham’s Big Gay Poetry Night, Bradley Taylor, to celebrate of the publication of his debut poetry collection, You Missed the Best Part.
If you miss him, you really have missed the best thing to happen in April this year.
Audience participation encouraged but not obligatory. There may, or may not, be prizes.
More about Bradley…
Bradley Taylor is an award-winning poet born and based in Birmingham. In 2024 he won the Roundhouse Poetry Slam, the night of which was the biggest poetry slam in history. In 2025 he released his debut collection ‘You Missed The Best Part’ before embarking on a nationwide tour.
Bradley has appeared at the Hay Festival, Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Inspirational Youth Awards, on BBC News and on BBC Radio 6 Music as part of Craig Charle’s ‘Class of 2024’, in which Craig Charles described him as ‘A brand new voice and a fresh perspective on the art of poetry and performance’.
When he isn’t performing, Bradley takes his typewriter to parks, bookshops, museums and festivals across the country to perform Poetry on Demand for strangers. He also runs writing and performance workshops – including those with the National Trust.
Bradley’s work has appeared in Gutter Magazine, Shooter, Strix and across Birmingham train stations as part of Birmingham Hippodrome’s collaboration with photographer Paul Stringer’s project The City That Spoke To Me. He also co-hosts The Big Gay Poetry Night alongside M. L. Walsh.
In 2025 his performance at the Roundhouse was nominated for the Sky Arts Award for poetry.
He writes for, and about, people.
Why See This Show?
If you like your spoken word spicy, witty and fast-paced, this is the show for you. If you want to laugh and cry in equal measure, this is the show for you. If you want to go home inspired and uplifted, this is most definitely the show for you.
What the Critics Say:
An inspiring night of witty wordplay and transportive storytelling by slam poetry powerhouses…if I could give this night more stars than five, I would. ***** www.ayoungishperpective.co.uk
Completely spellbinding ***** edfringereview.com
Dripping with hope, acceptance, and grounding self-mockery’***** ThreeWeeks
About Bradley:
‘Making the mundane move you to laughter and tears.’ Craig Charles on BBC 6Music.
‘Pushes the boundaries of what poetry is and can be.’ Harry Baker
Parking & Access
Parking
There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.
The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.
If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.
Getting here
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.
Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in OxfordAccess
Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.
There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.
Events in the Theatre
There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).
If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.
Events in the Studio
There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.
Events in the Loft
There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.
The Gallery
There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.
Facilities
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).
Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.
Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.
Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.
Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.