Off The Chest returns, featuring the multi-award-winning writer Inua Ellams plus Caitlin O’Ryan.
After three smash-hit events at Omnibus Theatre, Off The Chest makes their anticipated return this summer.
After three smash-hit events at Omnibus Theatre, Off The Chest makes their anticipated return this summer.
This explosive event includes a headline feature from internationally acclaimed poet and playwright Inua Ellams plus feature slot from internationally acclaimed poet and actor Caitlin O’Ryan.
You can perform your poetry on their acclaimed open mic. This is open to poets of all backgrounds and stages – which means you could perform your writing on the same stage as some of the UK’s most highly celebrated poets. You can sign up to perform as part of the open mic on the night.
As always, the night will be hosted by acclaimed poets and performers Ella Dorman-Gajic and Iftikhar Latif.
Off The Chest has been creating spaces for poetry since 2019. Their mission is to give a platform to poets of diverse backgrounds and celebrate original voices in the UK poetry scene. They’ve sold-out venues like Rich Mix, and brought their events to locations across the UK. They published their inaugural anthology in 2024, which was described as “breathtaking” by Amy Acre.
Inua Ellams is a multi-award-winning poet, playwright & curator. Identity, Displacement & Destiny are recurring themes in his work, in which he mixes the old with the new, traditional with the contemporary. His books are published by Flipped Eye, Akashic, Nine Arches, Penned In The Margins & Bloomsbury. He is the author of critically acclaimed plays, Barbour Shop Chronicles and Three Sisters and he won the Alfred Fagon Award for Once Upon A Time in Sokoto.
Caitlin O’Ryan is an actor and poet hailing from Greater Manchester and now residing in London. She has headlined several of London’s biggest spoken word nights and also performs as part of Sofar Sounds and has been commissioned by the likes of the British Heart Foundation, Refuge and Amnesty International. Best known for her recurring role in the hit TV show ‘Outlander’, her poem ‘At What Point’ about the cost of being a woman in today’s society, has amassed over 18 million views online, culminating in her being invited onto BBC Woman’s Hour. Her poems have been shared by the likes of Jameela Jamil, Natasha Bedingfield and Sarah Cox. Caitlin is set to release her debut poetry collection ‘At What Point’ in August 2025 with Burning Eye.
Keep an eye on Off The Chest’s Instagram for updates – @offthe_chest.
