WORDS & Whippets, the York spoken word showcase, will “not just shake a spear at Shakespeare” in its third annual bill, specially assembled for the York International Shakespeare Festival tomorrow in the De Grey Rooms Ballroom.

Compered by York performance poet and playwright Henry Raby, the thoughtful, satirical and humorous performances will celebrate poetry from across Yorkshire and beyond, inspired by Shakespeare.In the 8pm line-up will be Paul Maxey, former prison chaplain at HMP Hull, social commentator and wearer of Doctor Martens; Rose Condo, Canadian Prairies girl via Huddersfield and 2014 Word War One Slam Champion 2014); and Sarah Thomasin, with her lampooning wit straight from Sheffield.

The second half will be given over to Charlie Dupre’s The Stories Of Shakey, wherein classical playwriting and hip-hop meet in an electrifying lyrical brew, as the Bard is re-imagined as a playground battle rapper by the slam-winning London performer in his York debut. Charlie has form, having performed at Latitude and Secret Garden Party and supported the likes of Scroobius Pip, Ghostpoet and Kate Tempest.

“Some of the festival events look very serious and psychological and existential and European, but this show will be in the humorous Words & Whippets style,” says Henry. “I’ve said to the poets, as it’s part of the festival, it would be brilliant to represent Shakespeare in some way, not just shake a spear at Shakespeare. So what I’ve done is give them an open brief; it could be a reading from a Shakespeare text or their response to a favourite Shakespeare character. Paul is very funny, with a punky attitude and elements of Alexei Sayle' mannerisms; Rose and Sarah have a slam style and maybe, as women writers, they will focus on women characters in his plays.”

The most excitement surrounds Charlie Dupre's York debut. "He comes from a rap background and takes Shakespeare's characters and themes and turns them into rap and hip-hop characters, which is a really engaging performance of a kind that hasn't come to York before," says Henry. "In terms of this festival, he's a good example of how Shakespeare's use of rhyme and meter translates into modern genres like hip-hop."

In his own contribution, Henry will be responding to The Tempest, Shakespeare's last complete play. "It's my favourite Shakespeare work; I love the idea of Prospero and his magic and the magic of the island, and I like that thing of it being the end of Shakespeare's story, but I'm still on my journey," he says.

He is looking forward to Words & Whippets adapting to new surroundings, moving away from "formality in a theatre setting," in the Theatre Royal Studio. "In the Ballroom, it'll have informality, a showcase vibe and a cabaret setting, and people will be at liberty to get up and get a drink," says Henry. "It won't be a stuffy night of Shakespeare, but a night of fun and Shakespeare charisma."

Words & Whippets 3 will be looking to equal the sold-out success of Words & Whippets 1 and 2 as the spoken-word live circuit goes from strength to strength. "What's important is that poetry should never be polarised," says Henry, who champions Shakespeare's contribution. "Shakespeare used a huge amount of poetry in his work and wrote sonnets too, so he's a fantastic representative of poetry, just as we're a representation of Yorkshire poetry now, with Charlie as part of that for just one night too.

"There are so many poetry nights going on in York now – almost too many! – but Words & Whippets is special because it's only once a year with poets who otherwise might not come to York, such as Charlie."

Tickets are available from the festival box office