We Kid Ourselves

Tony Curry is a performance poet, playwright, workshop facilitator, soundsmith and enabler. Raised in Crawley by English and South African parents, he has lived and worked in Manchester for three decades, running literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. Tony’s solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. His play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Manchester’s Contact Theatre and his work has been exhibited at the city’s art gallery and museum. Since 2016, Tony has been the host of Word Central, a monthly poetry and spoken word open mic at Manchester Central Library (live streaming since lockdown), coordinated by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries.

“Its scathing view on climate, politics and culture is unflinching, but written with care and compassion. A powerful, timely collection … a warning and a carrion call to us all.” – Michael Wilson, poet; “Tony’s words dance off the page and into your bloodstream, leaving you pulsing with anger, humanity and love. This unique and beautiful collection is essential reading.” – Charlotte Oliver, writer; “All true artists are outsiders and any of us can find ourselves feeling as though we are on the outside. Tony’s insightful poetry expresses both the delight and the uncertainty of that position.” – Neil Bell, actor; “These are poems that shouldn’t just be read. These are poems to be belted out, or chanted in unison with our loved ones at protests, or spray-painted on t-shirts for gigs. Read these so loudly you offend the neighbours.” – Geneviève L. Walsh, spoken word artist