Imagine this: you’re settling down in some comfy Chesterfield couches, or poised on a chair at a table in a quaintly decorated bar ready to hear an afternoon of poetry and spoken word. Not a screen in sight, no AI generated content being flashed in your face. Just you, some like-minded people and some incredible poetry.
Sound too good to be true?
Every Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm Holden Street Theatres is hosting a new initiative, Sunday Versed. It’s a celebration of the spoken word, bringing poets, storytellers and lovers of language together for an inspiring Sunday afternoon of creativity.
This welcoming gathering provides a relaxed space where emerging voices stand alongside established performers, sharing original poetry, personal stories and heartfelt expression.
Whether you’re stepping up to the microphone for the first time or simply settling in with a drink to enjoy the afternoon, Sunday Versed is a place to connect, reflect and be inspired. Set within the intimate atmosphere of Holden Street Theatres, it’s a community where words come alive, conversations begin and every voice has the opportunity to leave its mark.
Sunday Versed is the brainchild of Holden Street Theatres’ Martha Lott and Adelaide arts identity Markus Hamence.
Martha and Markus spoke to Glam Adelaide about Sunday Versed and shared with us how this weekly event came about.
Markus:
“Sunday Versed really came from conversations between Martha and I about creating another reason for people to come together at Holden Street Theatres. We wanted something relaxed, welcoming and creative, where words and people could connect without it feeling overly formal. Poetry felt like the perfect fit. There are so many incredible writers, poets and storytellers out there, and we wanted to create a regular home where those voices could be heard. From there, Sunday Versed was born.”
Martha:
“It’s really Markus’s brainchild. We decided to work together, and Marcus said he had some concepts he’d like to float. I adore his enthusiasm about things and said yes immediately, because it’s a good idea.”
Both Martha and Markus shared with us what they love about Poetry and Spoken Word.
Martha:
“Poetry has always been present at turning points in my life. I’ve always loved poetry and I wrote it as a younger person, and it was a way of expressing thoughts and feelings for me as a teenager. I think it’s a form of literature that should never be lost and it’s not something that’s supported a lot so I felt we should.”
Markus:
“For me, poetry has this incredible ability to take a huge thought, feeling or moment and capture it in just a handful of words. It can be funny, confronting, beautiful, political, ridiculous, deeply personal or completely unexpected. Spoken word takes that even further because you get the voice, personality and energy of the person behind those words. Martha and I both love storytelling and live performance, so Sunday Versed sits beautifully between those worlds.”
The whole session is very relaxed, inclusive and inviting for participants and audiences.
Martha:
“Sunday Versed is on every Sunday from 2 to 4 pm, although we do tend to run over sometimes when we’re having fun, which is every weekend. Anyone can speak/read and there’s no judgement, there’s no competition. You do have to register, but it is essentially an open mic, and we do have people just turn up on the day and we make sure they get on stage. We have a Sunday special, which is an invited guest who gets up and reads something that’s important to them.”
For anyone interested in sharing some poetry or spoken word, the process to get involved is very simple.
Markus:
“It is super duper easy! Jump onto https://www.holdenstreettheatres.com/sundayversed and either register to be a reader/artist or to attend to listen. To perform there is no charge and to come along and just enjoy is only $5.00 either online or at the door. We absolutely want to hear from people who write and perform poetry or spoken word. You don’t necessarily need an enormous performance history or a collection of published work behind you––Sunday Versed is about giving voices a platform. If you have something to say and you’re ready to stand up and share it, we want to know about you. Get in touch with Holden Street Theatres and introduce yourself and your work.”
Holden Street Theatres is the perfect location for Sunday Versed with its quaint, historic surrounds.
Martha:
“Holden Street is a place that leaves people more enriched and fulfilled. It’s welcoming, it’s inspiring and it’s friendly. Plus it’s a great setup. We’ve got spaces that are small and intimate for small gatherings and then as it expands, we’ve got larger theatres, so we can go where we want.”
Sunday Versed at Holden Street Theatres runs every Sunday, and is a great escape from the busy world for a short time frame.
Markus:
“I’d love Sunday Versed to become a vibing weekly meeting place for Adelaide’s poetry community, but also for people who might not think poetry is necessarily their thing. Come along, grab a drink, listen to some words, meet some people and see what happens. You might laugh, you might think differently, you might hear something that stays with you long after you leave. Ultimately, it’s about giving words a room, giving voices a platform and bringing people together, and I think we could all use a little more of that.”
Sunday Versed
Holden Street Theatre
Every Sunday between 2pm and 4pm
For full details and to book, visit: https://www.holdenstreettheatres.com/sundayversed
