Gigs

Martin is at home on stage at Stanza International Poetry Festival, Latitude, Book Slam, Bang Said the Gun, a pub, a Tank Festival!, compering Cafe Writers, touring India for the British Council or at a conference for Looked-After Children.

He often double-bills with his wife, the talented Bloodaxe Poet Helen Ivory.

What a great, great evening of poetry to celebrate Poetry Day Ireland, Helen Ivory and Martin Figura were astounding – their poetry really is quite magnificent.
Eleanor Hooker, Dromineer Literary Festival
Poetry WivenhoeOld Grocery, 48 High St, Wivenhoe, Colchester CO7 9AZ28 April 20247.30pm tbc
Fire and DustThe LTB (Litten Tree Showrooms) 1 Warwick Rd, Coventry city centre, CV1 1EX02 May 20247.30pm
Chemistry, LeedsChemic Tavern, Leeds31 May 2024
Black Engine Room, Middlesbrough with Helen Ivorytbc01 June 2024tbc
Gobby, Wakefield with Helen Ivorytbc05 June 2024tbc
Welshpool Poetry Festival with Helen IvoryTBC Welshpool08 June 2024Workshop 1-3pm Reading 7-9pm
Torriano with Peter DanielsTorriano Meeting House, 99 Torriano Ave, London NW5 2RX09 June 20247.30pm
Cafe Writers with Jess MookherjeeMaddermarket Theatre, Norwich10 June 20247.30pm
The Summer Time Sleepover, led by Laurie BolgerZoom11 June 20249pm
Words & EarsWest Wilts Radio 30 June 20243pm
Poetry CafeHampton Hill Theatre, Noel Coward Suite24 August 2024tbc
Poetry Alight, Lichfield with Helen Ivory Duke of York Lichfield, 23/25 Greenhill,Lichfield, 17 September 20247.30 pm
Under Red Guitar, Bristol with Helen IvoryEl Rincon, the Spanish Bar18 September 20247.30pm tbc
Morecambe Poetry Festival with Helen Ivorytbc21 September 2024tbc
Wirral Poetry Festival with Helen IvoryBridge Hotel, Port Sunlight06 October 20247.30pm
Bury St Edmunds Poetry FestivalTBC11 October 2024tbc
Ouse Muse, Bedford with Helen IvoryEagle Bookshop, MK40 2NN,05 November 20247.45pm
A Lovely Word, Liverpool with Helen IvoryThe Everyman Bistro07 November 20248pm
Buzzwords, Cheltenham with Helen Ivorytbc10 November 2024tbc
Winchester Poetry with Helen Ivorytbc11 November 2024tbc
Shrewsbury Poetry with Helen Ivorytbc14 November 2024tbc
Poetry BreakfastZoom (Much Wenlock)14 November 20249am
VerboseKings Arms, Salford18 November 20247.30pm
Medway River Lit Festival with Helen Ivorytbc22 November 2024tbc
Wymondham Literature Festivaltbc23 November 2024tbc
Enfield Poets with Helen IvoryFORTY HALL, FORTY HILL, ENFIELD, EN2 9HA04 December 20247-9pm
Ware Poets with Helen Ivory Southern Maltings, Kibes Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 7BS13 December 20248pm
Utter, Luton with Helen IvoryThe Hat Factory06 March 20257.30pm tbc

Gig Archive

Reviews

“a revelation – funny, sharp and on top form.”
Robert McCrum, The Observer

“Martin Figura’s luminous reading made the audience hold their breath as he read from a new collection rich in warmth and pathos. Strongly recommended.”
Caroline Gilfillan – Poetry-next-the-Sea

“Martin Figura’s poems are sharp and funny. One of the best performing poets on the circuit. Has never disappointed when I’ve booked him for festivals and club gigs.”
Luke Wright

“I didn’t think old people could be funny, you were really really funny.”
Ten-year-old boy Port Eliot Festival 2017

“Pitch perfect, he knows his lines and knows how to deliver them. You will be entertained and moved in equal measure.”
Patience Agbabi

“Martin is a word-storming, crowd-warming, poetry-performing delight. He’s an engaging act, with witty and poignant poems interlinked by charming chat. Martin brings a positive and lively energy to the stage, with his work readily connecting to an audience that he brings on-board in his own personable style. Fantastic.”
Dan Simpson

“How brilliant was Martin Figura at BANG tonight?  He was one zillion out of ten brilliant and we loved it. “
Matt Abbott

“I can see why you gave up photography”
Martin Parr

“Thank you for a marvelous reading. My feeling that you should read last was exactly right!”
Anne-Marie Fyfe, Coffee-House Poetry at the Troubadour