What? Based on the successful Front Room Poetry events by founder, poet and spoken word artist Kirsty Taylor, this re-imagining saw Bradfordians invite acclaimed poets into their home to share a performance, a chat and a cuppa!
When? August – September 2025.
Where? Three real Bradford front rooms!
Artists: Poets Kirsty Taylor, Toria Garbutt, Lisa Minerva Luxx, Amerah Saleh, Fainting Goat films.
Our Aims
The aim of the project was to show Bradfordians that poetry is for anyone, it can even happen in your very own front room!
The origins of this project, the first Front Room Poetry events, saw a travelling poetry show tour the city delivered from a ‘living room’ setting that appeared in unusual venues such as skate parks, car parks and community centres and brought acclaimed poets together to discuss, share and champion poetry.
Bradford-born poet Kirsty Taylor wanted to reimagine this celebrated project by taking the idea to the actual front rooms of Bradford residents and filming the experience to share. We wanted to show people that poetry is for everyone: That it can build connections, support community and cultural understanding and provide magical, meaningful experiences.
What We Did
Three local Bradford residents with an interest in or a connection to poetry were matched with three acclaimed poets with whom we felt a creative spark between the two might ignite.
The poets were invited to share food, chat and do a performance of their work in the living rooms of those they were matched with, and they invited friends and family to join in and share this intimate space.
Fainting Goat Films captured the experience, creating a moving documentary that reminds us that poetry is and can be for everyone and celebrating the power and joy of sharing it.
Produced by Kirsty Taylor, this unique project not only allowed us to break down the barriers or where and how poetry is enjoyed but also inspired in-depth, meaningful conversations that encouraged residents to continue to develop and share their own poetry and creative practice.
The resulting film was shared by Bradford’s Big Screen Team at City Park and Darley Street Market during the weekend of the BBC Contains Strong Language Festival in September 2025. By screening the film in these shared, public spaces it created the opportunity for residents from all walks of life to encounter and engage with it.
WATCH THE FILM
Impact and feedback
The film is a powerful and moving celebration of the power and impact of poetry and shows that it is a medium for everyone and can and should happen anywhere.
It was premiered at the BBC Contains Strong Language Festival weekend and was received warmly, airing in two key public spaces across the city.
The format is an interesting provocation that could work in many other settings/ways and we are keen to explore the development of this project in the future.
The poets noted:
“I’ve done some bonkers things in my career but performing in a living room to an audience has never been one of them!”
“When people connect with your work it gives them a sense of hope.”
“I honestly absolutely loved it, and I’ve never done anything like it.”
“This should be a thing!”
The residents commented:
‘I’m just in awe. I’m there and I’m captured and I’m hoping everybody who came today listened.’
“I feel like I’ve learned from Amerah. I feel like with grief, I refuse to write poetry, I censor myself, I found it really hard to say it in a poem and listening to you was like powerful punches.’
“I’m really embarking on this new journey, it doesn’t matter how I put these words together, it’s about how I might affect another person.”
“It’s such a lovely intimate experience.”
This project was delivered as part of the BBC Contains Strong Language Bradford 2025 Engagement Programme. It was produced by Word Up North in partnership with the BBC and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. BBC Contains Strong Language Bradford 2025 was funded by Arts Council England and Bradford 2025.
