Oi Barman! In the City

Commissioned in collaboration with Culture Mile, Oi Barman! is a lovesong to bar life, to low pay and late nights; to our fellow champions in spirits, and brethren in tips.

In this specially commissioned show, spoken word artist Joshua Idehen tells the stories of bar staff in and around Smithfield and the City of London; an area market traders, city traders, and clubbers all call their own. Grab a free drink, stand at the bar, and hear tall tales of Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.

Oi Barman! is a lovesong to bar life, to low pay and late nights; to our fellow champions in spirits, and brethren in tips.

Oi Barman! attracted 125 attendees over six performances in three days. 92% of survey respondents gave Oi Barman! a 5-star rating.

Feedback from bar staff in attendance:
"Smart, witty and relatable."
"Accurate representation of bar life."
"Engaging, excellent delivery, venue was excellent."

Read a review at What's Hot London here

Latest

Fashion students create poetry

We went to Central St Martins to make poems...
Newcastle Zine Launch

Join us for the launch of our Newcastle Zine
'Zine Making in Newcastle

Reports from our Newcastle 'zine making session
Poet in the City looks back at 2023

A reminder of the events and activities that made Poet in the City's year

A Drop of Hope

"A drop of hope" is a collection of poetry inspired by the words of those who have been vaccinated at the Francis Crick Institute, the reflections of vaccination volunteers, and the experiences of local communities.
Life on the High Street

Poet in the City has partnered with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and RevolYOUtion London to help create a community-led poem that will be turned into a short film and interactive public art installation.
Oi Barman! In the City

A review of Oi Barman! In the City by Jack Wright
See Paddington

Poet in the City is working with Steer and Jedco Product Design on a public art project in the Paddington area to help reveal and draw visitors to the Grand Union Canalside, commissioned by the Paddington Partnership.
Collections in Verse: Leeds

Bringing the British Library’s "Windrush: Songs in a Strange Land" exhibition to life in Leeds, with poets Malika Booker, Vahni Capildeo and Khadijah Ibrahiim.
Between the Storeys

Between the Storeys is a collaboration between Poet in the City and Culture Mile using poetry and film to animate the stories, histories and experiences of different communities existing within the historical boundaries of Smithfield.
Baudelaire: Botanist of the Sidewalk – Dylan Read
Baudelaire: Botanist of the Sidewalk – Lauren Elkin
Beaudelaire: Botanist of the Sidewalk – Matthew Beaumont
Baudelaire: Botanist of the Sidewalk – Professor Helen Abbott

Contact us
Support Producers
Herstory Festival

Herstory is bringing together poets, activists, librarians, curators and communities to explore the unfinished fight for women’s rights in the UK through poetry, performance and discussion.
About Us

Poet in the City creates trailblazing poetry events that change the narrative and challenge the status quo. Our commissions help people and places tell their stories through deep community engagement. We are developing the next generation of poetry producers and establishing new routes into arts production. From poetry in libraries to arts centres, car parks to community venues and festivals to music halls, we present poets who can enlarge our worlds.
People

Meet the Poet in the City team
Herstory Creative Call Out: What Does a City Look Like that Cares For Women?

We're inviting you to contribute to Herstory Festivals in Newcastle & Exeter.
Take part

There are so many ways to be a part of the Poet in the City community. Join our thriving network of volunteers, apply for a place on our Poet in the City Producers training programme or Be a Friend and contribute to the financial wellbeing of the organisation.
Woolwich Speaks

Discover a new epic poem about Woolwich via a colourful poetry street trail and online film this August
About the programme

Join the new generation of poetry producers shaping the future of live poetry.
Watch, Listen, Read

A unique collection of audio interviews, podcasts and films featuring the poets and speakers who have appeared in Poet in the City events over the last ten years.