✅ Live Streamed (book a ‘Live Stream Ticket’ at checkout)

All Lyra Fest venues are wheelchair accessible. Our full 2025 Access Information Pack is available at www.lyrafest.com.

Date: Sunday 4th May 2025
Venue: Arnolfini
Time: 15:00 - 16:30
Tickets: £8 (£10 solidarity, £5 concessions)

Romantics, Mystics & Revolutionaries

A storytelling stageshow on Bristol’s radical past, by Pete the Temp & the Vibe Mechanics

Hear the story of two Bristol-based poets / revolutionaries who helped change the face of history. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge have been brought back to life in this rapturous collision of ecstatic poetry and classical instruments. Learn about the Romantic poets’ relationship to nature, imagination, and psychedelics in this intiguing journey of lyricism and laughter. This is a one of a kind act of enchantment and madness from a time of slavery and war.

‘Remembering, reviving and re-enacting the Romantics. We were all very moved.”
(H.W. - Alfoxton House - home of William Wordsworth)

“Well researched, accessible and fun”
(W.H)

“A spellbinding journey”
(S.J)

Pete ‘the Temp’ Bearder:

Pete Bearder is an award-winning spoken word poet, author and comic whose work has been featured on BBC Radio 4, Newsnight and the World Service. He is a former Hammer & Tongue UK Poetry Slam champion and has performed in over fifteen countries with organisations that include The British Council. Pete will be joined by a ensemble of instruments in this one-off constellation of Vibe Mechanics.

Part of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2025
#LyraFest

Filters:
Live Event ✓
Online/Streamed ✓

Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio) — Read more — Read less