Returning for their latest edition, The Roundhouse’s The Last Word Festival will take over the iconic venue from the 9th to the 23rd June, some of London’s most vital voices including The Receipts Podcast, BBC Radio 1xtra’s Richard Brave, founder and authors from A Quick Ting book series hosting talks exploring some of society’s most pertinent issues. Alongside these discussions, workshops led by writer and performer Jack Rooke and the ‘Letters to the Earth’ team will inspire and support writers looking to further perfect their craft, the Roundhouse’s renowned Poetry Slam yet again searching for the next young pivotal voice to be crowned Slam champion. New works – Sankofa: Before the Whitewash by Abena Essah, Matriarch by Keziah Hodgson and Gardens + Other Such Tree Places by Ruth Awolola all due to debut at the event. Ahead of the festival, senior producer Jack Prideaux tells us more about what to expect!

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Indicative writing with an honest pledge, Jack Rooke yet again pulls at the heart strings reflecting on the brutal truth of grief. Following acclaimed solo show, Good Grief, Rooke returns to the Fringe, this time exploring the complex nature of suicide. A mantle piece to the framed photographs of Rooke’s fallen companions, this show is an honourable letter to the Happy Hour where friendships were born.

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A coffin presents itself, filled with bereavement snacks including malt loaf, custard creams and apple pie. Jack Rooke and his 85-year old Nan Sicely, invite you to the happiest town in Britain, where Dad’s dead and the only thing to eat is lasagne. Rooke’s critically acclaimed debut hour blends comedy, storytelling and film to explore how we treat the bereaved, whilst challenging proposed welfare cuts for grieving families and celebrating finding happiness after tragedy.

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There is a state in long distance running called the wall. It happens when the body has used up all its fuel and needs to either stop running or switch fuel and it hurts, a lot. To overcome this, the only solution is to keep running, and after the pain comes a state of mild euphoria follows. That is what it felt like as Dauda Ladejobi finished his half hour reading of the 60 year old poem The Howl.

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