Soho Poly Poetry: Kennard, Baafi and Yip

We're back! In the first of our 25/26 series of poetry events at the Soho Poly, join us for an electrifying evening of readings and performances from award-winning poets Luke Kennard, Isabelle Baafi and Eric Yip.

Luke Kennard is a poet and writer of fiction who was born in Kingston Upon Thames in 1981. He won an Eric Gregory Award from the Society of Authors in 2005 and his first collection of prose poems The Solex Brothers was published later that year. He has published several poetry collections, including The Harbour Beyond the Movie (shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection); A Lost Expression; Cain (shortlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize); and Notes on the Sonnets (winner of the Forward Prize for Best Collection); and The Book of Jonah (Pan MacMillan, 2025). He is also the author of two novels: The Transition (longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize), and The Answer to Everything. He is also a professor at the University of Birmingham.

Isabelle Baafi is the author of Chaotic Good (Faber & Faber / Wesleyan University Press, 2025), which was shortlisted for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection 2025 and was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. Her pamphlet Ripe (ignitionpress, 2020) won a Somerset Maugham Award and was a Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice. She won First Prize in the Winchester Poetry Prize 2023 and Second Prize in the London Magazine Poetry Prize 2022. She edits at Poetry London and Magma.

Eric Yip is from Hong Kong and the author of Exposure (ignitionpress, 2024). He has won the National Poetry Competition and an Eric Gregory Award from the Society of Authors.

Books and pamphlets will be available to purchase on the night.

Drinks and refreshments will also be available.

Please note that free student and lower income tickets are available and we aim to make each night affordable and accessible to all. Please contact Hannah Copley on social media or on h.copley@westminster.ac.uk to join the guestlist.

About the series

Soho Poly Poetry is a monthly event series held in the heart of London. Now in its second year, and drawing on the Soho Poly's history of radical and disruptive theatre and music, the events bring together poets and performers for collaborative, innovative and genre-bending work, as well as celebrating new and up-and-coming voices alongside more established writers. Curated by Hannah Copley.

About the Soho Poly

Recently restored after lying vacant for over 30 years, the Soho Poly is an inclusive community hub for creativity, culture and wellbeing. It offers community engagement and diverse programming and provides a contemporary performance and education venue for the London arts community. Creative directors: Matt Morrison and Guy Osborn.

Soho Poly Poetry is supported and made possible by Peter Bonfield, Vice Chancellor of the University of Westminster.

Getting there

TUBE

Oxford Circus

TRAIN

Victoria

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INFO

Riding House Street is just off Regent Street - and not far from Oxford Street, and Oxford Circus tube station. Bus routes: 3,12,88,453,C2

Access and Facilities

Accessible toilet

Toilets

Drinking water

Family-friendly event

Handrails on stairs

Seating available

Step-free routes

Wheelchair access with a platform lift to the basement

Handrails on the stairs.

Accessible toilets and quiet areas provided.

Don't miss out on this exciting event!