Matt Abbott Launches TWO LITTLE DUCKS Tour

In June 2016, Matt Abbott's hometown of Wakefield voted 66% Leave. Either side of referendum day, he was volunteering at a Calais Jungle refugee camp just 22 miles from Dover. Now this rising star of the spoken word scene is taking his first full-length stage show, inspired by these events, on an extensive British tour.

Two Little Ducks is a fiercely relevant exploration of identity, prejudice and class fusing socio-political commentary and contemporary kitchen sink realism. As his verse shifts from coal mine to council estate to Calais jungle, he explores the divisions and discord of modern Britain, unafraid to voice opposing viewpoints.

Matt said 'I want to dismiss the sweeping generalisations of 'Brexiteers', whilst exposing the harsh realities of The Jungle that the mainstream media ignored. I feel qualified to comment having seen it first hand.'

Abbott makes full use of his razor-sharp wit, poetic storytelling and linguistic flair to present this personal and political show that both champions and confronts. This is poetry for the underdog from one of our leading new voices, presented in an engaging, accessible style that acts as an invitation and welcome mat for those new to poetry.

Lyrical, unapologetic and honest, his poetry is distinctly personal, political and passionate. It explores a country and society deep in the throes of Brexit induced chaos and with his warm unaffected delivery has a unique cross-generational appeal. Watch a short introduction video to the tour here YouTube

An early version of Two Little Ducks attracted a slew of 4 and 5 star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017, now this updated version tours the UK throughout October and November. The accompanying book Two Little Ducks, Abbott's first ever full poetry collection, is published on 4 October (national poetry day) by Verve Poetry Press.

Abbott starred in Nationwide Building Society's national TV ad campaign and has shared the stage with Jeremy Corbyn, Sleaford Mods, Ken Loach, Sara Pascoe, Paul Weller and Salena Godden. He founded and runs the independent spoken word label Nymphs & Thugs.

No sloganeering ranter, Matt is also an activist and supporter of several causes. He has toured in support of various causes and volunteered at the Calais jungle. He's an ambassador for Trinity Homeless Projects, CRIBS International and Eureka! The National Children's Museum and is Poet-in-Residence at the National Coal Mining Museum of England. A few years back Matt was in a band on the verge of the big time (major record deal, UK and overseas tours, major festivals, Radio 1, 6 Music favourites, etc.) but the music scene's loss is very much the poetry world's gain.

www.mattabbottpoet.com

Matt Abbott: Two Little Ducks UK tour dates

Politically charged poetry from fast rising new star exploring our fractured relationship with national identity, challenging preconceptions about the some of the communities which voted Brexit, as well as the unimaginable horror that took place in Calais, just 22 miles from UK shores.

Friday 5 October, 7.30pm Performance and book launch
Birmingham Waterstones, 24-26 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7SL
£10 0121 633 4353 www.waterstones.com/events

Saturday 6 October, 7.30pm
Huddersfield (Milnsbridge) The Red & Green Club, 42 Bankwell Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4LU
£10 www.mattabbottpoet.com 07421 093806

Sunday 7 October, 7.30pm
Middlesbrough Little Theatre Club, Toft House, The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6SA
£10 www.mltmiddlesbrough.org.uk 01642 815181

Wednesday 10 October, 7.30pm
Norwich Arts Centre, 51 St Benedict's Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG
Pay what you can www.norwichartscentre.co.uk 01603 660352

Thursday 11 October, 7.30pm
Southend-on-Sea Twenty One, Unit 21, Pier Approach, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EH
£10 www.fpg.org.uk/about-us/twenty-one 01702 534108

Friday 12 October, 7.30pm
Ware Arts Centre, Kibes Lane, Ware, Herts SG12 7BS
£10 www.southernmaltings.co.uk 07864 941546

Sunday 14 October, 7.30pm
Derby The Maypole Café Bar & Theatre, 42 Brook Street, Derby, DE1 3PH
£10 www.themaypoletheatre.co.uk 01332 203545

Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 October, 7.30pm
London The Albany Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG
£10 www.thealbany.org.uk 020 8692 4446

Friday 19 October, 7.30pm
Margate Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Margate, CT9 2LB
£10 01843 221791 www.tomthumbtheatre.co.uk 01843 221791

Saturday 20 October, 7.30pm
Chew Magna Chew Valley Theatre, Chew Valley School, Chew Magna, BS40 8QB
£10 www.valleyartscentre.co.uk

Sunday 21 October, 7.30pm
Cardigan The Cellar, 25/26 Quay Street, Cardigan, SA43 1HU
£10 www.cellarsounds.wales 07818 056599

Thursday 25 October, 7.30pm
Durham The Wabi-Sabi Academy, Rear Church Street, Coxhoe, DH6 4HF
£10 07595 894191/4 www.wabisabiacademy.com 07595 894191/4

Friday 26 October, 7.30pm
Leeds Seven Arts 31A Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3PD
£10 www.sevenleeds.co.uk 0113 262 6777

Saturday 27 October, 7.30pm
Goole Castaway Theatre, Estcourt Street, Goole, DN14 5AS
£10 www.castaway-goole.co.uk 01405 761423

Sunday 28 October, 7.30pm
Glasgow The Old Hairdresser's, Renfield Lane, Glasgow, G2 5AR
£8 www.theoldhairdressers.com 0141 248 9558

Friday 2 November, 7.30pm
Leicester Upstairs at The Western, 70 Western Road, Leicester, LE3 0GA
£10 www.upstairsatthewestern.com 0116 254 5287

Tuesday 6 November, 7.30pm
Clevedon The Theatre Shop, 6 Triangle Centre, Clevedon, BS21 6XX
£12 www.theatreshop.org.uk 01275 400225

Wednesday 7 November, 7.30pm
Coventry Albany Theatre, Albany Road, Coventry, CV5 6JQ
£10 www.albanytheatre.co.uk 024 7699 8964

Thursday 8 November, 7.30pm
Bury The Met, Market Street, Bury, BL9 0BW
£10 www.themet.org.uk 0161 761 2216

Friday 9 November, 7.30pm
Chester St Mary's Creative Space, St Mary's Hill, Chester, CH1 2DW
£10 www.stmaryscreativespace.co.uk 01244 976187

Friday 16 November, 7.30pm
Wakefield Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE
£10 www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk 01924 211311

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