Rowan McCabe presents Hard Knocks: A Show of Poetry and Comedy About Making Mischief
Rowan McCabe presents Hard Knocks: A Show of Poetry and Comedy About Making Mischief
6 March 2026
£11.50/£9.50
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With his new book The Door-to-Door Poet (Eye Books) released in September 2025, as well as a programme on BBC Radio 4 following swiftly after, Rowan McCabe returns to the stage with Hard Knocks, a show of comedy and spoken word about community and connection.
Rowan likes making a nuisance of himself with poetry. Over the past 10 years he’s been poet in residence in a pizza takeaway, in William Wordsworth’s childhood home and, once, on a miniature steam train. He's also the world's first Door-to-Door Poet and in 2019 he travelled across England, knocking on strangers' doors and writing bespoke verses for them, for free, on any subject of their choosing. It’s a project that’s been featured in the Guardian and on BBC Breakfast.
Hard Knocks is a collection of all new material that lifts the lid on some of the most funny and challenging moments of this unconventional career path. Expect stories of mistaken identity, odes to rebellious snails, and ruminations on time travelling public officials, all delivered with Rowan’s trademark warmth and wit.
Age guidance 14+, occasional swearing, moderate references to mental health issues.
Ticket Information
£11.50/£9.50
Recommended Age
14+
Running Time
60 minutes no interval
Genre
Partner Companies
Venue
Barnsley Civic
Performance Space
Theatre
