SPOKEN WORD
Rowan McCabe: Hard Knocks 
Artch Studios, Preston
Friday September 11, 2026. (7.30pm)
Tickets £10 (concessions £8)
Get tickets from Skiddle now.

Following the release of his new book, The Door-to-Door Poet, as well as a hit programme on BBC Radio 4, Rowan McCabe returns to the stage with Hard Knocks, a show of spoken word and comedy about community and connection.
Rowan likes making a nuisance of himself with poetry. Over the past 10 years he’s been poet in residence in a pizza takeaway, in William Wordsworth’s childhood home and, once, on a miniature steam train. He’s also the world’s first Door-to-Door Poet and in 2019 he travelled all across England, knocking on strangers’ doors and writing bespoke verses for them, for free, on any subject of their choosing. It’s a bit like the Avon lady… but with rhymes.
Hard Knocks is a collection of all new material that lifts the lid on some of the most funny and challenging moments of this unconventional career path. Expect stories of mistaken identity, odes to rebellious snails, and ruminations on time travelling public officials, all delivered with Rowan’s trademark warmth and wit.
With support to be announced

Reviews:
‘Very funny and very charming’ Stuart Maconie
‘Invaluable’ The Guardian

Join Rowan for a collection of all new material that lifts the lid on some of the most funny and challenging moments of this unconventional career path.