The Word featuring Lara Williams

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Visit now

The Word featuring Lara Williams

15 September 2016

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

Writer Lara Williams
Lara Williams
Book now

Manchester-based author Lara Williams is just back from Edinburgh International Book Festival, where she’s been plugging her debut short story collection Treats, published by Scottish press Freight earlier this year. “A seriously impressive writer”, according to Huffington Post, Lara will be reading from this critically acclaimed tome, and also perhaps her novel-in-progress, at the latest outing of erratically regular suburban spoken word showcase The Word, hosted by the inimitable Fat Roland.

Described as “a break-up album of tales covering relationships, the tyranny of choice, and self navigation”, and shortlisted for a Saboteur Award, Treats is great on the page – and just as good off. Also expect on stage up to ten open mic performers, including both up-and-coming and established writers. With free entry and BYOB, The Word is a cheap-as-chips chance to dip your toe into the live literature scene. And if you miss Lara this time round, you can catch her on 6 October at the launch of Manchester Writing School’s Gregory Norminton’s latest offering, The Ghost Who Bled (International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 7pm, free).

Where to go near The Word featuring Lara Williams

Didsbury
The Art of Tea

Nestled in the leafy side streets of Didsbury high street, The Art of Tea is the perfect place to grab a heart warming brew and read a book.

Didsbury
Restaurant
Rudy’s Didsbury

Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza serve up world-famous pizza at multiple UK branches, including this new Didsbury branch.

Cheese and Win platter by Cheese Hamlet
Didsbury
Shop
Cheese Hamlet

Head to the Cheese Hamlet in West Didsbury for a huge range of cheese, must have deli items, and preserves.

Didsbury
Restaurant
The Wishing Well

A new gastro pub in Didsbury Village, specialising in hearty meals and high-quality drinks. 

Albert's Restaurant & Bar
Didsbury
Restaurant
Albert’s Restaurant & Bar

Albert’s Restaurant & Bar is the right kind of small chain where you know you’ll always enjoy a high-level experience. The Didsbury branch is no exception.

Manchester
Park
Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden

Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury Village incorporates the Alpine House and Parsonage Gardens, and eventually leads down to the River Mersey via boardwalks through Stenner Woods.

The gold sign for Saison
Burton Road, West Didsbury
Bar or Pub
Saison

Formerly known as The Violet Hour, this bar has been revamped to become Saison, with a menu of seasonal small plates and an impressive beer selection.

What's on: Literature

Andrew McMillan and Maria Ferguson
Until
LiteratureLeeds
Leeds Lit Fest 2025

The award-winning Leeds Lit Fest is back, this year running from 14 to 22 June 2025, and bringing together local talent and big-name authors for a lively programme.

From £0.00
SLAMCHESTER Poster
LiteratureManchester
SLAMCHESTER at 53Two

This June, Manchester welcomes the launch of SLAMCHESTER, a one-night-only spoken word slam featuring a a special performance by Jardel Rodrigues.

From £6.00
Poet Tom Sastry.
LiteratureManchester
Verbose at The King’s Arms

Verbose is one of Manchester’s longest-running spoken word events, and welcomes Tom Sastry and Molly Naylor for June.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Experimental performance, thought-provoking new writing and our picks of Manchester International Festival - here’s what’s taking centre stage this summer.

A painting called Daphne, 2021, by Carolien Walker. The painting features Caroline’s own daughter as a toddler.
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.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

A young boy with a white sash around his left arm cries.
Cinema in the North

Outdoor cinema announcements, a major retrospective at HOME, and the best of indie cinema.

Music in the North

Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss if you're not careful.