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35 years
of performance poetry
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  • Battersea Arts Centre (London - Wandsworth) (498)
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Artists & Shows

Thirty-five years of Apples and Snakes poetry shows: a lot of shows, a lot of artists.

There are still a few gaps, but we're gradually uploading details of them all. Search away, using the boxes on the left. You can search by year (maybe you want to trace your first ever Apples and Snakes gig), by artist (from Dirg Aaab-Richards to Zk the Poet) or by venue (what was the name of that place with the really narrow staircase?).

You'll see that there are some artists we don't know much about - maybe they did one gig for us in 1983 - and we'd therefore welcome any information that you might have. Even better, you might be that artist - and we'd be delighted to renew our acquaintance with you.

And if you have details of any A&S shows that seem to be missing, we'd very much like to hear from you. Especially '80s and '90s; the last few years we've got covered (probably).

  • Joolz, John Hegley and The Popticians

    Joolz, John Hegley and The Popticians

    30 March 1984 at 
    South Hill Park Arts Centre (Bracknell) (2)
  • African Dawn, Gladys McGee, God’s Little Joke, Alan Gilbey

    African Dawn, Gladys McGee, God’s Little Joke, Alan Gilbey

    31 March 1984 at 
    Roebuck (London - Camden) (51)
  • Michelene Wandor, Claire Dowie, Sharon Landau, Gillian Allnutt, Lindsay MacRae

    Michelene Wandor, Claire Dowie, Sharon Landau, Gillian Allnutt, Lindsay MacRae

    07 April 1984 at 
    Roebuck (London - Camden) (51)
  • Toxic Shock, Frederick Williams, Mark Steel, AM Randall

    Toxic Shock, Frederick Williams, Mark Steel, AM Randall

    14 April 1984 at 
    Roebuck (London - Camden) (51)
  • Keep the GLC

    Keep the GLC

    17 April 1984 at 
    Commonwealth Institute (2)
    A ‘Thirty-Two Borough Touring Show’ engineered by CAST New Variety (and consequently hosted by Roland Muldoon). This was the only date on the tour that A&S partnered on. Valerie Bloom replaced Louise Bennett (Miss Lou), who was originally booked to perform.
  • Book launch & cabaret

    Book launch & cabaret

    18 April 1984 at 
    Drill Hall (3)
  • Book launch & cabaret

    Book launch & cabaret

    19 April 1984 at 
    Drill Hall (3)
  • Book launch & cabaret

    Book launch & cabaret

    20 April 1984 at 
    Drill Hall (3)
  • Skint Video, Craig Charles, Ian McPherson, Dorothy Taylor

    Skint Video, Craig Charles, Ian McPherson, Dorothy Taylor

    28 April 1984 at 
    Roebuck (London - Camden) (51)
  • Mark Miwurdz, Tower Hamlets Writers’ Group, Maggie Nicols

    Mark Miwurdz, Tower Hamlets Writers’ Group, Maggie Nicols

    05 May 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • Joolz, Little Brother, Marsha Prescod, The Mint Juleps

    Joolz, Little Brother, Marsha Prescod, The Mint Juleps

    10 May 1984 at 
    National Poetry Centre (1)
  • Surfin’ Dave, Ian Smith, Claudette, Clive Benson

    Surfin’ Dave, Ian Smith, Claudette, Clive Benson

    12 May 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • Claire Dowie, Marsha Prescod, Keith Jefferson

    Claire Dowie, Marsha Prescod, Keith Jefferson

    16 May 1984 at 
    York (1)
  • The Flatlettes, Belinda Blanchard, Peter Campbell, Andie Mann

    The Flatlettes, Belinda Blanchard, Peter Campbell, Andie Mann

    19 May 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • HO Nazareth, Pat Condell, Chris, Eduardo Niebla & Antonio Forcione

    HO Nazareth, Pat Condell, Chris, Eduardo Niebla & Antonio Forcione

    26 May 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • Attila the Stockbroker, Jenny Éclair, Martin Glynn, Porky the Poet

    Attila the Stockbroker, Jenny Éclair, Martin Glynn, Porky the Poet

    02 June 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • Michele Roberts, Gladys McGee, Claire Dowie, Penny Wood

    Michele Roberts, Gladys McGee, Claire Dowie, Penny Wood

    09 June 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • Wanjiku Kiarie, Marsha Prescod, Iyamide Hazeley

    Wanjiku Kiarie, Marsha Prescod, Iyamide Hazeley

    13 June 1984 at 
    Commonwealth Institute (2)
    Iyamide replaced Grace Nichols, who was originally billed. Wanjiku was a member of African Dawn.
  • Joolz, Marsha Prescod, PR Murry, The Flatlettes, Zolan Quobble

    Joolz, Marsha Prescod, PR Murry, The Flatlettes, Zolan Quobble

    15 June 1984 at 
    Waterside Theatre (London - Southwark) (3)
    Part of Southwark Community Arts Festival, and therefore a partnership with Southwark Entertainments. If you weren’t into the poetry, it was worth sticking around for the disco.
  • Bob Cobbing & Clive Fencott, Toxic Shock, Bet Lynch, The Roaring Girl

    Bob Cobbing & Clive Fencott, Toxic Shock, Bet Lynch, The Roaring Girl

    16 June 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
    Avant-garde duo, feminist punk band and supporting poets.
  • Glastonbury Elephant Cabaret

    Glastonbury Elephant Cabaret

    22 June 1984 - 24 June 1984 at 
    Glastonbury Festival (1)
    The festival was headlined by Dr John, Fela Kuti and surprise guests Elvis Costello & The Attractions. It also marked the only Glastonbury appearance of The Smiths – a booking that was seen at the time as being out of kilter with the festival’s usual ethos. Meanwhile, in the cabaret tent…
  • Midsummer Poetry Day (1984)

    Midsummer Poetry Day (1984)

    24 June 1984 at 
    Covent Garden Market (2)
    The first outing for a long-running annual partnership event with Alternative Arts. We love the Bottom-themed artwork. PR Murry compere alongside Mark Miwurdz, although Emile Sercombe was supposed to be the second compere.
  • Circus of Poets, Ginger John, Francesca Kay

    Circus of Poets, Ginger John, Francesca Kay

    30 June 1984 at 
    Captain’s Cabin (27)
  • Perform showcase

    Perform showcase

    14 July 1984 at 
    South Hill Park Arts Centre (Bracknell) (2)
    Murry & Quobble contributing to a performing arts showcase in Bracknell.
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