Wolverhampton Literature Festival 2025: Guide to events at NAC

Wolverhampton Literature Festival 2025: A Celebration of Words, Arts, and Culture

Mark your calendars! The highly anticipated Wolverhampton Literature Festival returns from Friday, 31 January to Sunday, 2 February 2025, bringing an incredible line-up of events to celebrate literature, arts, and culture in our vibrant city.

At Newhampton Arts Centre, we’re thrilled to be part of this fantastic festival, hosting a range of exciting events that promise something for everyone. Here’s what we’ve got lined up:

Fesshole Live: Wolverhampton

30 January 2025 | 7:30 pm | Theatre
Admission: £18 | Over 18s only

FORGIVE ME WOLVERHAMPTON, FOR I HAVE SINNED!

As part of a sell-out UK roadshow, the million-follower social media sensation Fesshole is coming to town. Join Rob Manuel, creator of Fesshole and B3ta, for a night of the internet’s funniest, cringiest, and naughtiest confessions. With unpublished gems, hilarious stories, and even live audience confessions, it’s an evening guaranteed to make you laugh (and maybe squirm). And remember, what happens in the room, stays in the room…

Doors Open: 7:00 pm
First Half: 7:30 pm
Interval: 8:30 pm
Second Half: 8:45 pm

“Very, very funny!” – Audience Feedback
“Absolutely brilliant, tears of laughter!” – Audience Feedback

It’s the Economy, Stupid!

1 February 2025 | 7:30 pm | Theatre
Advance Admission: £13 | On the Door: £15

From the Fringe First-winning creators of LABELS and FANBOY comes It’s the Economy, Stupid!, a bold and funny exploration of the global economy, cost-of-living crises, and financial literacy. Created by Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells, this captivating performance blends personal storytelling with theatrical magic. Using paper bags, board games, and a touch of humour, the show uncovers the true cost of economic ignorance in our lives.

“Smart, sharp writing… deftly blends the personal with the political.” ★★★★ Stage

Developed with support from Arts Council England, this thought-provoking production has been a hit at festivals and theatres across the UK.

See You at the Crossroads

2 February 2025 | 1:00 pm | Theatre
Advance Admission: £5

Discover how poetry and hip-hop intertwine in this electrifying event. Casey Bailey, Jordvn Emanuel, and Zakariye come together to deliver an unforgettable afternoon of poetry, music, and conversation.

• Casey Bailey: Birmingham’s Poet Laureate (2020-2022), award-winning writer, and performer whose work spans hip-hop, grime, and theatre.
• Jordvn Emanuel: Former Young Poet Laureate of Birmingham turned hip-hop artist, bringing the essence of the 90s “Boom Bap” era into his music.
• Zakariye: Poet, playwright, and filmmaker exploring masculinity, faith, and identity. A finalist in the Roundhouse Poetry Slam, he’s currently a Roundhouse resident artist.

With live performances and a panel discussion, this is an afternoon for lovers of words in all their forms.

Your Festival Experience

From laugh-out-loud confessions to insightful explorations of global issues and the powerful connection between poetry and hip-hop, the Wolverhampton Literature Festival at NAC has it all. Don’t miss the chance to be part of these unique events!