One of Manchester’s longest running spoken word events, Verbose, returns on Monday 23rd November 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 November:

Skye Lilly

Skye Lilly is a Manchester-based Poet, Performer and Creative Facilitator who’s work has been longlisted for the Forward Prize, awarded One Mic Stand Slam Champion published by Heroica and The National Poetry Centre. Community is at the heart of everything she makes; her workshops and typewriter poetry were recently commissioned by Art House and Altrincham Bid.

Her debut show The FOMO Show won best Spoken Word at Buxton Fringe this year. Expect powerful storytelling with humour, hard truths and a whole lot of heart.

Ash Dickinson

Full-time as a poet since 2008, Ash Dickinson has performed in Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Spain, Jordan, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Germany, and headlined countless shows and festivals throughout the UK. A multiple slam champion including Edinburgh, Cheltenham, the Museum of Scotland and BBC Radio, he is in great demand to run writing workshops in schools, libraries, museums, prisons, with writing groups and through art education.

A case study in the Bloomsbury-published book, Making Poetry Happen, Ash’s work is on the curriculum in secondary schools. His debut collection, Slinky Espadrilles, was the very first title published by Burning Eye Books. Three more Burning Eye collections have followed, including Instructions For Outlaws in 2022.

“A master of stand-up poetry” – Apples And Snakes
“Impressive wordplay” – The Times

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

Tickets are pay what you can from the link

Verbose: Monday 23rd November 2026

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