A RENOWNED poet is set to perform his brand new show in Whitchurch on Thursday.

Luke Wright will be performing his show, The Ballad Seller, at Dodington Lodge after being booked by Arts Alive.

His show will feature re-written Georgian street ballads from the modern era.

Luke said that in Georgian times the public got their news from poetry.

He added: “Before papers, broadcasts or the internet, ballad sellers would hawk their doggerel on street corners for a penny.

“Scandalous affairs, grisly crimes, and colourful characters were brought to life in rhyming verse long before the first tabloid was printed.

“I will take the audience on a trip through the Drury Lane gin shops with the Boxing Baroness; filch oysters by the dozen with Dando, the celebrated gormandiser; allowing them to peer inside the restless mind of a lonely itinerant ballad seller.

“Expect scandal, excess, and beautiful flawed humanity.”

The Inn Crowd commissioned the show, who Arts Alive have a thriving relationship with.

Cerin Mills, live events programmer from Arts Alive, said: “We are really lucky to have Luke secured for this Whitchurch event.

“He is a talented a spit and sawdust wordsmith who is a Fringe First winner for new writing and The Stage award winner for acting.

“He’s been touring the world for the last 20 years. This show will be engaging, passionate, sharp and full of wit.”

Luke’s performance at Dodington Lodge will start at 8pm on Thursday, July 15.

Tickets are £7.50 - which includes a post-show chip sandwich. The show is suitable for people aged 14 and above, and tickets can be purchased by calling 01948 662539.