PERFORMER Kat Lyons will headline the Lyric Theatre's first full Scratch & Spit open mic night of 2020

Her show the Dry Season uses one woman’s experience of premature ovarian failure to explore the process of coming to terms with a shifting identity, and question the way that ageing - particularly the role of ageing women - is viewed in society.

At 38, Kat thought she was still far too young to think about menopause; her body had other ideas...

Combining original spoken word poetry with excerpts from medical literature and drawing on interviews and fairytale imagery, Kat takes the audience on an autobiographical journey through a year of hormones, mental health issues and unexpected camaraderie.

This is an intimate, funny, and tender spoken word theatre show.

As a queer feminist performer Kat’s creativity is critically engaged with the wider political landscape. She views spoken word performance in all its forms as the original DIY entertainment, and believes it has the power to engage all ages and demographics in

creatively interpreting their experiences.

Kat is a Bristol-based writer, poet, storyteller and performer, with a background in live art and troublemaking. She has told stories for adults and children, collaborated with an ecologist to create site-specific explorations of the intersections of myth,folklore and environmental science, and presented at the University of South Wales’ annual Storytelling Symposium.

A multiple poetry slam winner, Kat co-produces and hosts events and performs her poetry across the UK, including at WOMAD, Shambala and The Eden Project. In 2019 she was artist in residence with Artspace Lifespace while developing her solo show Dry Season with the support of Arts Council England.

*Calling all poets, writers and theatre makers! The first half a Scratch & Spit evening is for the public to take to the stage to test out their work in progress. If you'd like a five minute open mic slot, please arrive as close to 7pm as you can, and sign up with Rob

Casey (the host) who will allocate slots, and if over-subscribed names will get drawn from a hat. If your piece is more like 10 minutes, please email Rob in advance to book: robertcasey@hotmail.co.uk. Scratch & Spit takes place at The Lyric the last Monday of every other month.

*Kat Lyons - The Dry Season at Scratch and Spit, The Lyric Theatre, Bridport, Monday, February 24

Doors & bar open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets are £7.50 in advance from Bridport TIC on 01308 424901, online or £10 on the door.