Bad Language featuring Helen Mort at Gullivers

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Visit now

Bad Language

Gullivers, Manchester
29 November 2017

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Poet Helen Mort. Photo: Andrew Crowley.
Book now

Poet Helen Mort is headlining Bad Language’s last standalone outing of 2017 (they’ll be having a special Christmas shindig with The Real Story and First Draft at The Castle on Wednesday 20 December), when the stage will also be graced by ten open mic acts, half of whom have never performed at a BL event before, and hosts Fat Roland and Joe Daly.

Helen has two poetry collections to her name: Division Street (2013) and No Map Could Show Them (2016), both out with Chatto & Windus. Earlier this year, she won the Mslexia Prize with her poem ‘Vanishing Point’, and she’s recently been heard discussing all things language on BBC Radio 4’s Mother Tongue. Her debut novel will be published soon, and a short story collection is also on the cards – plus she’s just edited One For The Road: An Anthology of Pubs and Poetry with Stuart Maconie off of the radio. Busy lady!

Helen is also a lecturer at the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University alongside Chris Neilan, who just picked up second prize for short fiction in the prestigious Bridport and with whom she runs new night Lit Up, which just had its second airing at Chapter One bookshop featuring Adelle Stripe. The latter’s novel about the life of Rita, Sue and Bob Too! playwright Andrea Dunbar, Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile, according to The Guardian “gives an important story a real spark”.

What's on at Gullivers

Amy Webber comedian
Until
ComedyChapel Street
Greater Manchester Fringe 2025

Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2025 offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

From £5.00

Where to go near Bad Language featuring Helen Mort at Gullivers

Chakalaka
Manchester
Restaurant
Chakalaka

The very best of South African cuisine in an intimate, friendly space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Castle Hotel pub in Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Castle Hotel

A pub with a 200 year-long history on Oldham Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the Castle Hotel has a musical past.

Manchester
Shop
Bags of Flavour

Bags of Flavour is the Northern Quarter’s answer to high end vintage with high quality exclusive garments and accessories.

Manchester
Shop
RPB

Otherwise known as Ross Parlane’s Barber Shop, RPB is a barber shop in the middle of Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter.

Behind Closed Doors Booth
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Behind Closed Doors

A hidden den of debauchery and indulgence. A fresh take on a basement cocktail bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

City Centre
Restaurant
Rewind NQ

A quirky bar, paying homage to the unfortunately deceased Blockbusters video rental stores, with aptly named cocktails and a great atmosphere.

Beermoth shop in Manchester's Northern Quarter.
Manchester
Shop
Beermoth

Beermoth on Manchester’s Tib Street stocks specialist beers, chosen with a quietly confident knowledge.

Soup Kitchen venue
Manchester
Music venue
Soup

Soup Kitchen is a superb communal cafe by day and an excellent live music venue by night. The perfect choice for a quick drink or a great night out.

Creatures Comedy Club
Manchester
Theatre
Creatures Comedy Club

Whether you’re a die-hard comedy fan or just after a spontaneous night out, there’s something here for everyone. Open 7 nights a week.

What's on: Literature

Jenn Ashworth at Blackwell's Manchester
LiteratureManchester
Jenn Ashworth at Blackwells

Jenn Ashworth is back at Blackwells bookshop for the Manchester launch of her latest work, reading extracts and chatting to Helen Mort about how The Parallel Path came about.

From £4.00
LiteratureLeeds
Chemistry at The Chemic

Leeds live literature regular Chemistry offers an exciting mix of open mic acts and invited poets – this month the headliners include Rosie Garland.

Free entry
Poet Mike Garry. Photo Paul Wolfgang Webster
LiteratureManchester
Word Central at Central Library

Word Central is a long-standing live literature favourite at Central Library and features open mic performers and a special guest, brought to you by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press.

Free entry
Cover of a book with a canal boat on it saying boater by Jo Bell
LiteratureManchester
Jo Bell at The Portico Library

Poet and now memoirist Jo Bell invites you to join her “for a friendly evening” at The Portico Library when she’ll be talking about her new “smart, funny” memoir Boater.

From £6.00

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.