YORK spoken-word proponents Say Owt are teaming up with London publishers Bad Betty Press for a showcase of four performance poets at All Saints' Church, North Street,York, tomorrow night (October 9).

As part of a book tour promoting The Dizziness Of Freedom, a Grant for the Arts-funded poetry anthology on the theme of mental health, Bad Betty present Jackie Hagan, Rob Auton, Maria Ferguson and Kat Francois at 7.30pm.

Henry Raby, Say Owt's artistic director, says: "We're proud to host Rob Auton and Jackie Hagan, two incredible acts that have graced our stages before, but new to York are Maria Ferguson and Kat Francois, who have a bit of legend about them for being two amazing writers and performers."

Jake Wild Hall, slam-winning poet and editor of Bad Betty Press, says: "It's always a delight to come and perform to York audiences. They're enthusiastic and welcoming. I can't wait for the poets on our tour to get a warm reception."

Jackie Hagan is a "queer disabled performer/writer with council-estate bones" who has delivered more than 1,000 workshops in schools, prisons, secure psychiatric units and pubs.

York-born writer and performer Rob Auton has had his poetry and comedy turned into short films, shown on BBC One, BBC Two and Channel 4, and three collections of his writing and illustrations have been published by Burning Eye, while his spoken-word album, At Home With Rob, was released on Scroobius Pip’s record label, Speech Development Records.

Maria Ferguson, winner of the Best Spoken Word Show at the 2017 Saboteur Awards, has performed extensively across Britain and at Bestival, Latitude and Secret Garden Party and has been commissioned by Roundhouse, the Royal Academy of Art and BBC Radio I.

Performance artist, broadcaster, playwright and director Kat Francois was the first person to win a televised poetry slam in Britain. A year later, she won the World Slam Championship.

Admission is £5, bring your own booze.