Inside the Hull Truck Theatre.

BBC’s Contains Strong Language festival is returning to Hull

A popular three-day festival of poetry and spoken word is returning to Hull for a third year in a row.

Contains Strong Language is produced by the BBC in partnership with Wrecking Ball Press, the British Council, Arts Council England, the Makassar International Writers Festival and others.

Its third incarnation will take place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September, when leading international, national and local spoken word artists perform alongside new voices.

It will see established poets perform alongside Hull talent, with Scottish Makar Jackie Kay performing alongside the city’s Peter Knaggs at the Hull Truck Theatre on the Sunday at 4pm.

Incoming Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will return to read from his latest collection on Sunday at 4pm at Hull College.

BBC Contains Strong Language is returning to Hull.

Simon has worked with Hull pupils on Zoom!, a combination of poetry, dance, light and music composed by John Harle with an intergalactic theme, which will be shown at Hull College on the Saturday at 11am.

And Outgoing Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will perform at Hull College alongside two Laureate Choice poets on the Saturday at 4pm.

Festival director and BBC editor Susan Roberts said: “Contains Strong Language 2019 follows two extremely successful festivals held in Hull since 2017.

“Once again we will present a packed programme of powerful, eclectic and visionary work that will resonate with audiences both live and via broadcast and online. This really is a celebration of the power of poetry and spoken word.”

Most events are free to attend, with tickets available from the Hull Truck website from Friday 23 August at 10am.

Tickets for three paid events, featuring Richard Strange, Rallying Cry and Camille O’Sullivan, can be booked at Eventbrite.

Find more information including the full line-up here.

Pendopo, Navigate
Diversion sign