Hard Knocks With Rowan McCabe

Gates & Bar Open: 6:00pm

Event Starts: 7:00pm

Event Ends:  9:00pm (TBC)

*There will be an interval

The Book Loft is thrilled to announce the Berwick stop of Rowan McCabe’s 

Hard Knocks UK tour.

Following the release of his new book The Door-to-Door Poet, as well as a hit programme on BBC Radio 4, Rowan McCabe returns to the stage with Hard Knocks, a show of spoken word and comedy about community and connection.  

Rowan likes making a nuisance of himself with poetry. Born in South Shields, he was raised by a punk and a hippy in a council estate in Hebburn. Showing an interest in poetry from an early age, he went on to study English Literature at Newcastle University and graduated with honours in 2011. Over the past 10 years he’s been poet in residence in a pizza takeaway, in William Wordsworth’s childhood home and, once, on a miniature steam train. He's also the world's first Door-to-Door Poet and in 2019 he travelled across England, knocking on strangers' doors and writing bespoke verses for them, for free, on any subject of their choosing. It’s a project that’s been featured in the Guardian and on BBC Breakfast. 

Hard Knocks is a collection of all new material that lifts the lid on some of the most funny and challenging moments of this unconventional career path. Expect stories of mistaken identity, odes to rebellious snails, and ruminations on time travelling public officials, all delivered with Rowan’s trademark warmth and wit. 

Copies of The Door-to-Door Poet can be found at The Book Loft and will also be available for sale at the event.

Reviews for Previous Shows 

“Ingenious” - BBC Radio Scotland

“A must-see” - Morning Star

“His narrative and cause touch the heart… a poet not only of ability but of integrity” - Broadway Baby   

“A highly recommended show” - Fringe Review 

“Absolutely riveting” - Attila the Stockbroker 

“Beautiful” - Denise Mina 

“Well thought-out and very entertaining” – North East Theatre Guide   

“McCabe’s poetry is an interesting blend of glass-half-full optimism aligned with deep cultural insights and perceptions about changing times” - NARC. Magazine  

“The perfect mix of comedic stories, poetic monologues, and a discussion of more serious and pertinent topics such as class [and] mental health […] His confident and funny tone allowed for these important themes to intertwine effortlessly and comedically with elegant verse” - The Crack 

“A good introduction to poetry today”- British Theatre Guide