Verbalized

Verbalized

A dynamic journey through the streets of Johannesburg, Leeds, London & Capetown by South African and UK poets

An international collaboration between South African & British poets, exploring new ways of creating, devising & discussing poetry.

Part of the British Council's New Work New Audiences cultural exchange program, Verbalized developed in the wake of the astounding success of the Beyond Words UK tour in November 2009, featuring South African poet laureate, Keorapetse Kgositsile alongside Lebo Matshile, Philippa Yaa De Villers and Donata Mattera.

Continuing the creative impetus of Beyond Words, the British Council and Sustained Theatre asked Zena Edwards (Verse In Dialog) and Segun Lee-French (Speakeasy) to produce a tour of emerging UK poets to South Africa, which became Verbalized, a collaborative performance featuring 9 outstanding poets from SA & the UK.

Verbalized is a unique performance full of rich soul stirring song & explosive lyrical injection. From the UK, curator Zena Edwards features alongside Khadijah Ibrahiim, Kayo Chingonyi, Dzifa Benson & Avaes Mohammad. From South Africa, featured poets are Mpho ya Badimo, Mbali Vilakazi, Masana Mulaudzi, Naima Mclean & Bulelwa Basse.

What South African audiences have been saying:

“Amazing, this show moved me so much. I was crying by the end.”

“I’ve never seen poetry like this before, so many powerful voices on one stage.”