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.
Eleanor Hooker, Dromineer Literary Festival
| Shrewsbury Poetry with Helen Ivory | The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TE | 13 May 2025 | tbc |
| Yes, We Cant – Wolverhampton with Helen Ivory | The Great Western Corner of Sun Street and Corn Hill Wolverhampton WV10 0DG | 01 June 2025 | 7.30pm |
| Alchemy of Words with Helen Ivory | Script Haven 1 Amber Gate, City Walls Road, Worcester WR1 2AH | 02 June 2025 | 5pm |
| Lit Balm with Helen Ivory, Julia Webb & Tom Sastry | Zoom | 14 June 2025 | 10pm |
| Festival of Chichester with Helen Ivory | Assembly Rooms, Chcichester | 24 June 2025 | 7.30pm |
| Ledbury Poetry Festival with Helen Ivory | Burgage Hall, Church Ln, Ledbury HR8 1DW, UK | 30 June 2025 | 8pm |
| European Poetry Festival | Dragon Hall, Norwich tbc | 03 July 2025 | |
| Kings Lynn Poetry Festival | tba | 28 September 2025 | tba |
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