In less than a week, Pete (the Temp) Bearder, an award-winning will spoken word poet, author and comic, presents Romantics, Mystics and Revolutionaries – a storytelling storm of rebellion and enchantment. Anwen from the marketing team caught up with Pete to find out more ...

What can audiences expect when they come and see Romantics, Mystics and Revolutionaries?

Music, laughter and loads of interesting facts about the past.

In five words describe the storytelling storm of rebellion and enchantment.

Protest – Imagination – Poetry - Dreams – Wonder – Awe

An empowering true story – tell us more ...

The story shows us that this is not the first time we have faced an era of political intolerance and techno-doom. We get to see how artists and dreamers responded by enchanting a new era of human dignity.

An award winning spoken word poet, author and comic, tell us about your career to date and where and how it all started.

In a word, I’m a bard – no more important than a plumber, but certainly less well paid. As a bard, it’s my job to teach, entertain and carry people away into the Imaginarium. I do words on stages, in books and on camera. Sometimes its comedy or spoken word. Sometimes it talks, storytelling, or music. Sometimes it’s a mix up of all of the above (like this show).

Who will the show appeal to and why?

Anyone who cares about the world going to pot will feel revitalised by this show. Whether people want to geek out on history or enjoy a fun, multimedia act of storytelling, this show will do the job. It will be of special interest to anyone into history, poetry, literature, protest, spirituality, philosophy and Joy!

In your opinion, what’s your favourite part of the show and why?

The show has a new chapter on Luddites – a radical movement of machine breakers in the nineteenth century. This is an exciting story to tell given what is happening with AI. I love it when people tell me that they want to go and research more about the topic.

Why does a one man-show appeal to you? Do you find it daunting?

One-person performance lectures are a form that I really love. We get to learn, but that learning appeals to the heart. I also get to talk and do bants for a very long time (with a backing track so I sound smarter and more dramatic than I really am).

What are your future theatre plans?

This show is touring around the UK. I’m doing two shows in Newcastle either side of Torch, which is fun. But massively inconvenient!

Romantics, Mystics and Revolutionaires can be seen at the Torch Theatre on Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm. Age Guidance: 16+. Expect reverence, resistance and enchantment from a time of slavery and war. Tickets price: £12.50 | £9 concessions. Phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.