One of Manchester’s longest running spoken word events, Verbose, returns on Monday 14th December 2026 at the Kings Arms.

Verbose has a proud history of bringing together a vibrant mix of live literature from poetry, prose and everything in between. Verbose welcomes new talent to the open mic alongside established writers and performers wanting to showcase new material, giving audiences the chance to hear work that is on its way to be published or perhaps feature at festivals including Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe and many more.

Introducing our headliners for December:

Trystan Lewis

Trystan is a regular at spoken word events all over the North West. In 2024, he won the Plough Poetry Prize judged by Roger McGough with the poem Don’t Tell Dad. He has won prizes at the Morecambe Poetry Festival two years running, judged by Donna Ashworth in 2024 and John Hegley in 2025. He competed at the Grand Final of the 2025 I Am Loud slam poetry competition hosted by the Edinburgh International Book Festival. He has been commissioned to write for weddings and for commercial work.

Phoebe Constantine (She/Her) is a triple-threat, writer and producer. She has trained at the National Youth Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and Burnt Orange Theatre Rep Company.

Producer credits include National Theatre, Wandsworth Arts Fringe & Lambeth Fringe. This year she was nominated to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. As an LGBT+ advocator, she has engaged with LGBT+ charities such as: Stonewall Housing, It Gets Better UK and she is a proud Ambassador for Just Like Us.

As a poet, she’s been booked at venues such as: The Other Palace, Bush Theatre, Barons Court Theatre, The Vaults, Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Pegasus Theatre, Amersham Arms and National Youth Theatre of GB.

To enter the draw for an open mic slot, please email us on verbosemanchester@gmail.com between 1st and 6th December

Tickets are pay what you can from the link

Verbose: Monday 14th December 2026

Kings Arms, Bloom Street Salford 7.30pm to 9.30pm (doors open 7.15, show starts 7.30)