AFTER 21 months of highly combative spoken-word slams, five champions will battle for the right to be declared Say Owt Champion of Champions 2016 in The Basement at City Screen, York, on July 9.

"Since October 2014, Say Owt have been running a series of high-energy slams, where poets pit their words and wits against one another," says co-host Henry Raby, the York performance poet. "Poets get three minutes each and the audience judge on their favourite winner.

"Now, after nine events, Say Owt are excited to celebrate our tenth slam by inviting the previous winners back to compete once more in the Say Owt Slam Clash of Champions."

Poets confirmed for the July 9 war of words are Dave Mahoney and Ian Winter, from Hull; Hannah Robbins, a Leeds poet and actress; Lily Luty, a University of York student involved in the York theatre scene, and Samra Mayanja, who is returning to York after a year of living in Hong Kong.

"These performers are entering the arena full prepared for slugging it out with sharp rhymes and keen performances," says Henry. "Each poet will perform twice to show off their repertoire of words."

Rap storyteller Jack Dean won Say Owt's second slam in February 2015, going on to claim victory in the the first Clash of Champions. "So it’s only fitting Jack is back to perform a guest slot at next weekend's event. He's a poet, MC, theatre-maker and word-weaver, who takes the hip-hop medium and mixes it with very magical and cleverly constructed story-telling that makes his performance highly energetic and absorbing," says Henry, whose fellow compere will as usual be Stu Freestone.

Looking forward to a champion occasion at 7.30pm, Henry concludes: "We expect each poet to bring passion, humour, powerful performances and insightful writing, proving that spoken word is a raw and unmissable medium.

"The poet who finds themselves in second place will receive £15, but the winner will get £30, bragging rights and the title of Champion of Champions 2016! So, roll up your sleeves! Cue the Rocky theme tune! Prepare the trophy!"

Most Say Owt events have sold out, or fallen just shy of selling out, so Henry advises you to grab your £7 tickets from The Basement as soon as possible.

In addition, Jack Dean will lead a workshop in The Basement from 4.30pm to 6.30pm before the slam with places costing £5. To book Say Owt tickets or a workshop place, go to thebasementyork.co.uk/