Southampton's Festival of Words
SO: To Speak Festival brought together spoken word, poetry, live literature, heritage, theatre, comedy, and storytelling across Southampton from 19th to 28th October 2017. Under the theme Changing Times, the festival celebrated the power of words in all their forms — from intimate library readings to bold stage performances.
The festival was part of the broader Southampton Festivals network and worked alongside charity partners to make literature accessible to everyone:
- Spoken Word and Poetry performances across city venues
- Live Literature events featuring local and visiting writers
- Heritage activities exploring Southampton's rich history
- Theatre, comedy, and storytelling for all ages
- Charity partners included Dementia Friendly Southampton and The Alzheimer's Society
2017 Commissioned Writers
The festival's Changing Times theme inspired two £500 commissions, awarded to local writers whose work explored transformation, memory, and the passage of time.
Damian O'Vitch
Words & Music
Matt LT Smith
Writer & Performer
Get in Touch
For enquiries about the festival, past events, or the SO: To Speak community:
Email:
sotospeak15@sotospeakfestival.org
The festival took place across Southampton venues including Westquay South, Southampton Central Library, The Stage Door, The Dolphin Hotel, and Cobbett Road Library.
Spoken word and poetry formed the beating heart of the festival, with performers taking to stages in venues across the city. From the intimacy of a library reading room to the electric atmosphere of a theatre spotlight, poets and storytellers shared work that was by turns funny, moving, and fiercely honest. Open mic slots gave emerging voices a chance to stand up and be heard alongside seasoned performers, creating a community of words that welcomed everyone. Whether you came to listen or to perform, the spoken word programme offered a space where language lived out loud.
Live literature events brought readers and writers together in conversation, celebrating fiction, crime writing, memoir, and more. Authors discussed their craft in relaxed café settings and historic halls, offering insights into how stories are shaped and why they matter. Workshops invited aspiring writers to learn new techniques, sharpen their voice, and experiment with form under the guidance of experienced practitioners. From creating compelling characters to mastering the flash fiction form, these sessions gave participants practical skills and the confidence to keep writing long after the festival ended.
Heritage and storytelling wove through the programme, connecting contemporary words with the rich history of Southampton itself. Events held in Regency halls, the old town, and the docks brought literature into dialogue with place, reminding audiences that every city is built on stories. Theatre and comedy performances added another dimension, proving that words can spark laughter as powerfully as reflection. Family-friendly sessions drew children into the joy of books and rhymes, while relaxed dementia-friendly gatherings ensured that the festival truly reached across generations, making the power of words accessible to all.