Salford’s only independent theatre company is hosting a women’s poetry event to give female poets a voice.
Salford Arts Theatre held its first fourth-wall bar session of 2022, which included performances from many talented female poets from the local community.
In collaboration with the theatre was Blue Balloon Theatre, a female-led theatre company.
The evening saw performances from many talented women, including bestselling Manchester-based author and poet, Emma-Jane Barlow.
“I think it’s really important, especially in the moment we are at in society that women have a voice. I think when places put events on like this one, it really gives women who wouldn’t necessarily have the confidence to speak out on issues that are bothering them in their daily lives.” said Emma.
“What I love about poetry so much is that there is no filter. You can say what you need to say, and no one is telling you to shut up and be quiet.
“I think that even though were gaining the equality that we want as women in society I feel like we still have a long way to go.” she added.
Another poet who performed was Ayisha UI-Haq. The English teacher uses the power of poetry to give voices to the many aspects of herself.
“When it came to writing and performing my own, it just seemed right to use my voice in a way that people would listen, and support and I could also relate to other people doing it too.” Ayisha said.
All poetry performed had the theme of women. Each discusses either female strength, challenges women face, or limitations placed upon women.
Emma-Jane Barlow discussed how the technological advance of social media has given her the confidence to perform what she loves.
“I think for the longest time everything about poetry has been the written word in a book, black and white, and I think the amazing thing of this technological advance of social media is we can reach people in a lot of different ways.”
Poet Lynn Walton added: “I think it’s that thing where a lot of poetry especially which you heard tonight has been so accessible and you quite often get people with these preconceived ideas about poetry.
“You’ve got to break down those barriers. It’s not the words of Brontë and all that, it’s modern and it’s now, it’s speaking to women of today” said Lynn.
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