Rhubarb Shed: Music, Poetry, Comedy

Another showcase of a variety of talent, both homegrown and nationally known.  From poetry to music to comedy, there's something for everyone.
 
Hosted by Faye Marshall (Cloth and Coal, Morley) and Tim Brookes (Under the Lobby Lights, Wakefield) this night will have you nodding, swaying, laughing and wondering when you can do it all again.

Izzy Brittain

Izzy Brittain is a Leeds-based poet, dance artist and performance maker. A witch-in-progress. Fascinated by folk, body, breath, myth, story, nature and magic, She believes strongly in the power of care, collectivity, creative play and embodiment. 

Her poetry has been published in Popshot, Bloody Amazing, Anthropocene, The Thicket and Black Nore Review. She has completed interdisciplinary commissions for Wigan Arts Festival, Apples & Snakes, Choreodrome & LEEDS2023. Her writing has also featured in projects with Fevered Sleep, Gracefool Collective and Yorkshire Dance.

In 2022 Izzy was a recipient of a DYCP Award exploring interdisciplinary practice. In 2024 her poem Invocation was longlisted for the National Poetry Prize. Her collection of the same name was published by Yaffle’s Nest in October 2025.

Lence 

Lence is a Rap & Spoken word artist from Leeds, known for a distinctive style of intricate lyrics, astute observations, compelling music and impactful live performances that explore his own experiences.  He's an artist who blurs genre lines, performing his unique combination of Poetry and Rap.

His music has been featured on BBC 6 Music, Reprezent Radio and BBC Introducing. Lence has supported the likes of legendary Grime MC - D Double E, Mercury Prize nominated Joshua Idehen, acclaimed band Getdown Services, exciting Irish Rapper: Curtisy, UK Hip Hop artists: Skinnyman and Chester P as well as Grammy nominated musician Kassa Overall.

As well as his creative work, Lence ‘Blur the Lines’ which is an eclectic showcase of 20+ Rappers, Poets, Musicians & Comedians based in Yorkshire, an interdisciplinary show connecting creative scenes throughout the North. Lence has produced 10 of these events, with 2 sold out shows at Leeds Playhouse, 5 for Leeds Lit Fest, 1 in association with Come Play With Me, 1 at the historic Leeds Library and 1 at Howard Assembly Room for the opening night of Leeds Jazz Festival 2025.

Jimmy Andrex

Poetry you can dance to? Phillip Larkin joins Kraftwerk? Laurie Anderson meets Sylvia Plath?

Jimmy Andrex is a Wakefield poet who uses music to soften the blow. The Bible of Dreams is part-laptop, part-ventriloquist’s dummy, part evolving plastic inevitable piloted by Orville the Duck.

There will be dinghies.

Tom Robinson on BBC6 Music said it’s “superb” and “life-affirming.” Poet Ian McMillan said Alec Clegg Still Dreams made him cry. Kingsley Chapman from Benefits said we’re “kindred spirits.”

He’s even been on The Verb.

Nicky Bray

Based in Leeds, Nicky Bray is a musician, singer-songwriter, freelance Community Music Worker, and co-host of long-running themed songwriters' night Tower of Song.  She specialises in humorous musical storytelling on unconventional subject matter, while being playful with language, rhythm and rhyme, and enjoys experimenting with different musical styles and devising creative ways to involve the audience.  She was recently awarded Arts Council funding to develop her creative practice including bringing her songs to life on screen, and has just released a music video for her song 'I Wish I Had A Cat Called Barbara' (viewable at https://youtu.be/pX6JZLqGeIA).  She has been called many things, including "a burst of energy and life" and "kind of like if Björk were a children's TV presenter".