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
Kings Lynn Poetry FestivalKing's Lynn Town Hall 28 September 20253pm
Poetry WhitchurchPercy's Cafe Bar, The Star Hotel, Watergate, Whitchurch SY13 1DW20 October 20258pm
ShedMayflower Studios, 144 Above Bar St, Southampton SO14 7DU10 February 2026tbc
ShedNorwich Arts Centre15 February 20267.30pm
ShedThe Seagull, 19-75 Morton Rd, Pakefield, Lowestoft NR33 0JH27 February 20267.30pm
ShedColchester Arts Centre04 March 20267.30pm
ShedTom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2LB05 March 20267.30pm

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