Wrosne: An Underground Experience
Performances 20, 21, 23 and 25 July 2008

Buy Tickets Online
Wrosne - An Underground Experience has focussed on young people drawn from Dudley's Wren's Nest and Priory estates, both of which face exceptional levels of economic and social deprivation. Over a period of twelve months the Leaps & Bounds team have used their unique programme of personal intervention and development, one-to-one pastoral support, and professional quality arts activity to help around 60 young people turn around their own lives and start to change their local community.

The project culminates in late July 2008 with a week of extraordinary theatrical performances deep inside the canal tunnels and mines under the two estates.
The Show
An excited crowd waits outside a new night club hidden away in the long, dark canal tunnels of Dudley. Wild rumours circulate about what's inside - exotic drinks, celebrities, life-changing prizes. Sisters argue as they wait to get in, journalists squabble over exclusive access to the mysterious club owner, and local people grumble about the teenagers as they arrive.
Join the queue, climb on board a boat and start a journey into a club like no other. Tonight your whole life could change with just one decision - for better or worse.
Leaps & Bounds have once again created an unmissable theatrical experience. 60 teenagers from the Wren's Nest and Priory estates in Dudley have worked with theatre professionals to create a new show set deep underground in extraordinary fossil-filled historic canal tunnels. The show will be performed just 11 times and only 100 people can see each performance.
Don't miss this extraordinary theatrical experience, far below ground, in tunnels transformed for one week only into the strangest, toughest and most influential nightclub you'll ever get to visit.
20, 21, 23 and 25 July 2008

Black Country Living Museum and the Wrosne Canal Tunnels

6pm and 8pm each night (show lasts 1hr 45 mins approx, no interval)

Buy Tickets: £10 - £12.50 (£25 Family Ticket) 01384 812 812
N.B. Performances will go ahead regardless of weather conditions. Please wear warm clothes - the tunnels are cold!

Written by Emma Purshouse

Thu 19 June, 7pm
Apples and Snakes
free poetry

A fast-paced open-mic night hosted by the UK’s foremost promoters of live poetry (always seeking out new talent!). With special guests, genial hosts and a friendly, sparring atmosphere. Arrive early to sign up for your five-minute slot.

Free, no booking neccessary

Guests will include Midlands based performance poets,
Marcia Calame and Emma Purshouse

CELEBRATE WOMEN'S WEEK with KIRSTY McGEE and support
Friday 7th March from 8pm

Kirsty McGee is a powerful singer-songwriter and guitarist. She has been nominated for both the best newcomer and best original song at the BBC2 Folk Awards. Her music is resonant with her love of Nick Drake (to whom she has been likened), Cohen and Joni. Her fourth album promises to encapsulate the ‘hobopop’ style in a new collection of simple, edgy songs played on traditional American instruments many of which she makes herself. She is accompanied by her multi-instrumentalist musical partner Matt Martin. 'Absolutely superb, memorable... I love her songs, I love her way' - Bob Harris (BBC)

Also appearing: EMMA PURSHOUSE: See below

OLA BROWN: See Below
Tickets: In advance: £7.50 (Concessions and Groups of 4+: £7); On the door: £9


EMMA PURSHOUSE Performance Poet 7th March as part of the Women's Week Celebration
Emma will be performing her "Strip Poetry" as part of our Women's Week Celebration. www.emmapurshouse.co.uk.
for prices see above

OLA BROWN In her own words 7th March as part of the Women's Week Celebration
Brimingham born and bred, Ola Brown is a singer, songwriter, playwright and aritist. Ola brown wrote "Popcorn and Icecream - Journey of the single mother" which was showcased at the Collide festival 2004 and has just finished writing a one woman show called "She Galloped Over Fileds of Milky Way" which will be performed by local actress Tonia Daley-Campbell. Ola is currently doing backing vocals for Rob Carvahlo and his extended family and is in the process of making her first album
For ticket prices see above

That's the way to do it!
All lovers of poetry, drama and puppetry
Are summoned to attend:

A PUNCH & JUDY STUDY DAY
Saturday 23rd February 2008
At Darlington Street Methodist Church, Wolverhampton
(School Street entrance)
10.00am til 3.00.pm

This exciting and unusual event is organised by the W'ton Branch of the Workers Educational Association and will consist of a morning devoted to the history and traditions of Punch & Judy, (presentd by our local "Professor" - Derek Peasley) and an afternoon with Emma Purshouse, our local performance poet, who will present her new one-woman multi-media show giving Punch & Judy a new 21st Century interpretation.

Tickets are only £10 (£8 for full time students) and must be obtained from

Maureen Moore, 12 Catherine Road, WV14 9AD before 16th Feb.
(Tel. Enquiries 01902 674493, or to Ned Williams on 01902 773376)

Big Bilston Love Slam!
Saturday 9th February 2008
Imperial Banqueting Suite, Lichfield Street, Bilston, WV14 0AJ
• 8pm • £8/£7 concs. Ticket price includes food!

Tickets available from Big Deal Music
128 Salop Street
Wolverhampton
01902 423567

Treat your Valentine to romance, rhythm and rhyme!

It’s the time of year when love is well and truly in the air, so follow the pheromones and check out the competition as a medley of Valentine versifiers declare their most passionate poetry in a cut and thrust contest to win the hearts and woo the hearing parts of the audience. The first round is on the theme of romance – after that, anything goes…

Partners in rhyme Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore will compère thee to a slammer’s way, while random judges rate the writing, measure the performances and find the wordster with the X-factor. Who will be the reddest rose or bluest violet? Make it a date at Bilston’s premier poetic love-in and show your adoration for the talent on show! Up-and-coming poets who fancy taking part in a bid to seduce the applaudience, please contact Marcus on 01285 640470 or email info@spiel.wanadoo.co.uk

all you need is a heart that beats and a mind that speaks


WHAT IS SLAM?
poets compete
in a number of heats
with three minutes each
during which to try and reach
the hearts and minds
of those discerning kinds
who hear what they say
and respond in their own way
with tears or cheers
laughter or applause
with cries of encore
or a silent pause

judges judge how
the audience reacts
it’s competitive and lively
and some would say perhaps
it’s a bit like the Booker
because occasionally you find
that some crazy...
...poet…
… emerges as the winner
who is not a Slam! champ
but just a brave beginner
who has the guts
to get right up
and stand and deliver
a stanza that captures
the moment and enraptures
those who are there

Sara-Jane Arbury

Wednesday, 06/02/2008 at Arena Theatre - Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE

Things That Can’t Be Said is an ensemble of stories where performance poetry meets theatre.

Shabina Aslam, a leading director of spoken word, theatre and radio drama, has worked with five eclectic spoken word artists from the West Midlands to create an exciting high-octane production about things that can’t be said.

Artists: Michèle Barzey, Marcia Calame, Cherri Gillings, Vincent Gould and Shaun Welch perform a collection of stories using music, movement and sound, creating a visual tapestry of love, life and relationships.

Introduced by guest poet Emma Purshouse.

Things That Can’t Be Said is co-produced by r:evolve and Apples & Snakes.
Venue website: www2.wlv.ac.uk/arena
Bookings: 01902 321 321

Thursday January 17th 2007 - Women Who Write
Monthly women's writing workshop lead by Emma Purshouse.
Venue: Bilston Community Centre, Prouds Lane, Bilston
Time: 7.00 - 9.00pm
Cost: Free - All women writers are welcome
Contact: emmaasif@hotmail.com