Following the smash hit success of his Silver Jubilee show (“the best thing he’s done and that’s saying something.” ★★★★★ Telegraph) Luke Wright returns with a new set poems that get to grips with the idea of JOY. Is it possible, as a 42 year old to feel pure unbridled happiness, and what does it look like?
The French novelist Henry de Montherlant said that “happiness writes white” but Wright’s not exactly starting with a blank page. With a mix of the of the comic and the wistful, JOY takes in consumerism, boozing, cancer scares, abseiling vicars, and the joy of language itself. We might have to go down to come up, but we’ll get there in the end. Come let a little joy into your life with a raconteur and wordsmith at the top of his game.
“Breathtaking … with a sharpness and wisdom that lifts the soul, and soothes the battered heart.” ★★★★ The Scotsman
“A winning combination of honesty, humour, ire and wonder. He is at the peak of his powers.” ★★★★★ The Stage
“Britain’s finest performance poet.” ★★★★★ Life As Theatre
Supported by Colchester Arts Centre
Photo by Emily Fae
On Tour
2025
8 January – Oxford, Burton Taylor Studio
9 January – Oxford, Burton Taylor Studio
22 January – Burwash, Lake Down Brewing
23 January – Brighton, Komedia
31 January – West Stafford, Village Hall
1 February – Piddletrenthide, Village Hall
2 February – Shipton Gorge, Village Hall
5 February – Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal
12 February – Bristol, Wardrobe Theatre
13 February – Bristol, Wardrobe Theatre
14 February – Manchester, Edge Arts Centre
15 February – Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre
27 February – Pontardawe, Pontardawe Arts Centre
28 February – Bodmin, The Beat
1 March – Constantine, Tolmen Centre
6 March – Hebden Bridge, Trades Club
14 March – Corsham, The Pound
15 March – St Leonards, Kino Teatr
19 March – York, The Crescent
3 April – Chelmsford, Chelmsford Theatre Studio
9 April – Milton Keynes, The Stables
10 April – Harrogate, Harrogate Theatre
11 April – Stamford, Stamford Arts Centre
12 April – Stockton-on-tees, ARC
17 April – Salisbury, Salisbury Arts Centre
22 April – Ipswich, Wolsey Theatre
24 April – Clevedon, Theatre Shop
25 April – Norwich, Playhouse
1 May – Newcastle, Northern Stage
2 May – Oundle, Stahl Theatre
8 May – Felixstowe, Two Sisters Arts Centre
9 May – Sudbury, Sudbury Arts Centre
15 May – Poole, Lighthouse
16 May – Watchet, East Quay
26 June – Portsmouth, Guildhall
Previous Shows
2024
16 March – Laugharne Weekend
13 April – HALESWORTH, Ink
22 June – LOWESTOFT, First Light
5 July – LEDBURY, Poetry Festival
24 July – PETWORTH, Petworth Festival
27 July – LATITUDE Festival
31 July – 13 August – EDINBURGH, Pleasance Dome
11 September – Shoreham, Ropetackle
14 September – St Helier, Jersey Arts Centre
18 September – Plymouth, Theatre Royal
19 September – Ventnor, Ventnor Exchange
20 September – Diss, Diss Corn Hall
28 September – Chesterfield, Chesterfield Labour Club
16 October – Colchester, Colchester Arts Centre
24 October – Weston-super-Mare, Front Room
25 October – Bridport, Bridport Arts Centre
26 October – London, Pleasance
2 November – Cambridge, The Junction
7 November – Chester, Storyhouse
8 November – Loughborough, Needle & Pin
9 November – Laxfield, Laxfield Village Hall
14 November – Southampton, Pampillon
22 November – Crewkerne, The Crooked Swan
23 November – Langport, Langport Town Hall
24 November – Chard, Town Hall