Writer’s Block Brings Poetry, Performance and Community to The Skep

Earlier this month, The Skep at Moulsecoomb Place hosted the launch of Writer’s Block – a spoken word night founded by award-winning poet and TEDx speaker Woodzy, brought to Brighton in collaboration with Culture Shift and supported by East Brighton Trust.

At the event on the evening of Wednesday 18 March, Woodzy – a regular member of the Culture Shift creative team – guided the audience through a night of poetry, performance and connection in celebration of World Poetry Day (21 March).

Alongside Woodzy, eight other performers took to the stage – including Culture Shift patron Michael Attenborough CBE, the renowned theatre director and cultural leader. The poetry on the night was varied and moving, with performers sharing both original writing and favourite poems in honour of the occasion.

It wasn’t just about watching, either. The audience were invited to respond to writing prompts throughout the evening, putting pen to paper while enjoying a drink from the bar. The result was exactly the kind of atmosphere Writer’s Block set out to create – inclusive, supportive, and full of creative energy, whether you were performing for the first time or simply soaking it all in.

It was an enjoyable and powerful evening, a brilliant example of what happens when you bring people together through words and shared experience.

Woodzy spoke to us about the night:

“As the founder of Writer’s Block it has been amazing for me to collaborate with Culture Shift and East Brighton Trust to be able to bring the event to Brighton. Our main goal is to change people’s perception on poetry and to build community. Culture Shift has been fantastic when it comes to helping with this and East Brighton Trust’s new venue, The Skep is a brilliant place with a great atmosphere. The first event we put on was the perfect starting point of what I believe will be an incredible night that will continue to grow and bring people together. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for this collaboration!”

Writer’s Block took place at The Skep, the shared venue at the heart of Moulsecoomb Place. Inside the historic Manor House, creative organisations including Culture Shift, AudioActive, Vincent Dance Theatre and Brighton People’s Theatre are working together to create new opportunities for local people to connect, learn and take part in cultural life. Hosting an event like Writer’s Block here feels like a natural fit – it’s exactly the kind of thing we want to see happening in this space.

What’s Next

The next Writer’s Block event is happening as part of Brighton Fringe Festival on 21 May at The Skep. Tickets are available now via cultureshift.org.uk.

Interested in hosting your own event at The Skep? Find out what the venue can offer on our website.