Spring Poetry Evening in the Smith Studio
		Sunday 15 March, 2026 At the Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington

The Tower's Poetry Evening returned to the Smith studio on 15 March 2026 and featured an eclectic mix of contributions including much-loved classics, less well-known gems and some new writing. Curated once again by George Savona and produced by Matthew Ibbotson, the evening brought together poetry-loving members and friends to enjoy and share poetry in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Roanne Insley writes:
"Once again, poetry lovers gathered on Sunday 15 March to share their favourite pieces, and what a delightful evening it was. It’s a real pleasure to hear a rich mix of poetry brought to life by people who love the spoken word—familiar works by well-known poets alongside fresh, original pieces performed by their authors.
For those who enjoy the classics, we were treated to Louis MacNeice’s Prayer Before Birth, performed beautifully by Vyvian Shaw, and Noël Coward’s The Boy Actor, warmly delivered by Tom Tillery. A personal highlight was Tom Lafferty’s wonderfully dry and humorous rendition of Roger McGough’s At Lunchtime, a Story of Love, which had all of us laughing.
The evening also showcased some excellent new writing. Sandra Moreno’s witty Dating Is Sh*t (That’s Why I Have A Dog) was both sharp and entertaining, while Benedict Cezair-Thompson’s Broughtupsy, performed with verve by the author himself, was another standout moment.
I always leave these Poetry Evenings feeling uplifted—having revisited old favourites and discovered new ones to reflect on - and this occasion was no exception. Many thanks and congratulations to George Savona and Matthew Ibbotson for putting together such a warm, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable event."

Takimg part were Sandra Moreno, Chris Lloyd James, Vyvian Shaw, Andrew Robinson, Orane Stepczynski, Tom Lafferty, Phoenix Rayo, Sean Dempsey, Simon Taylor, Jonathan Norris, Rosanna Preston, Matthew Ibbotson, Benedict Cezair-Thompson, Fiona Makia, Nicola Stanhope, George Savona, Phillip Ley and Tom Tillery
 

	Sandra Monero	Chris Lloyd James	Vyvian Shaw	Andrew Robinson"	Orane Stepczynski	Tom Lafferty
	Phoenix Rayo	Sean Dempsey	Simon Taylor	Jonathan Norris	Rosanna Preston	Matthew Ibbotson
	Benedict Cezair-Thompson	Fiona Makia	Nicola Stanhope	George Savona	Phillip Ley	Tom Tillery

Photography by Matthew Ibbotson

Here's a record of all the chosen poems:

PART ONE
London Raised – Island Made and Dating Is Sh*t (That’s Why I Have A Dog) written and read by Sandra Moreno
Refugees, Alexa, What Is There To Know About Love and The Power of Poetry Brian Bilston, read by Chris Lloyd James
Prayer Before Birth by Louis MacNeice, read by Vyvian Shaw
Love Ends (For Lis) and The Rain Crept Up On Us written and read by Andrew Robinson
Je Suis comme Je Suis by Jacques Prévert, translated and read by Orane Stepczynski
At Lunchtime, a Story of Love by Roger McGough, read by Tom Lafferty
Bola (Crystal Ball) by Ellis Juliana, read by Phoenix Rayo
Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney and Spring in Belfast by Derek Mahon, read by Sean Dempsey
Black Rook in Rainy Weather by Sylvia Plath and Miracle on St David’s Day by Gillian Clarke, read by Simon Taylor
A Subaltern’s Love Song and Reproof Deserved; or After The Lecture by John Betjeman, read by Jonathan Norris
Diving into the Wreck by Adrienne Rich, read by Rosanna Preston
The Gunner’s Dream by Roger Waters, performed by Matthew Ibbotson

PART TWO
Broughtupsy written and read by Benedict Cezair-Thompson
Mother to Son by Langston Hughes, read by Fiona Makia
We Are The Holy Ones by Kelly Harris-DeBerry, read by Phoenix Rayo
The Garden by Andrew Marvell, read by Tom Lafferty
As I Walked Out One Evening by W H Auden, read by Andrew Robinson
The Windhover by G M Hopkins and Bowland Beth by David Harsent, read by Nicola Stanhope
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Part 1 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, read by George Savona
The Four Horsemen and Going to London by Peter Ley, read by Phillip Ley
The Boy Actor by Noël Coward, read by Tom Tillery