Yes the Mersey Sound is back in Bolton at the Octagon Theatre Bar, Bolton, Tuesday 12 June 8.30pm.

Forty years ago this year, as Sergeant Pepper hit the airwaves, Penguin published "The Mersey Sound", featuring Adrian Henri, Roger McGough and Brian Patten. This slim anthology, number 10 in the famous series showcasing modern poets, went on to become possibly the best selling and most reprinted anthology of contemporary British poetry. Out of the Liverpool literary hothouse, with its dry wit and humane observation of life's foibles, emerged the Dead Good Poets Society, which has survived in a healthy state to the present day. Next week sees the arrival in Bolton of three DGPS stalwarts, all much published, all maintaining the same standards of wit and craftsmanship, as those poetry legends. Dead Good Poets Society co-ordinator Sarah Maclennan, Liverpool Slam Champion 2007 David Bateman (Pictured), and compere and comedienne, Clare Kirwan, will be appearing in the Octagon Theatre Bar at 8.30 on Tuesday 12 June as the guests of Bolton-based poetry gig organisers Write out Loud. You'll be guaranteed an entertaining and thought provoking evening. Entry is £3 (£2 concessions) and the show will be supported by ten open mic slots featuring a wide range of local poetic talent. For more information phone Dave Morgan on 01204 382440, or contact Dave@writeoutloud.net.

Full details, including details of the open mic places, can be found in the gig guide.

You can find more about David and some of his work at http://www.writeoutloud.net/poets/davidbateman and more about Clare Kirwan at http://www.writeoutloud.net/poets/clarekirwan


Comments on David Bateman:

"Merseyside's most popular performance poet."
Merseyside Arts Monthly

"There is real emotion in each piece, even underneath the cutting comic mood. We have got to admire this man's honesty and his ability. Every critic and editor's nightmare, and every reader's dream. All we can hope is that he comes to recite at a pub near us very soon."
The Big Issue

"David Bateman's poems come directly from the pub, the music-hall and the street.
He's a kind of top-gear Gavin Ewart on the top deck of a local bus."
Ian McMillan

"Seriously hysterical poetry- a genuinely amusing and frank entertainer."
City & Guild Gazette