Henry Madd
Henry Madd
SPOKEN WORD ARTIST • THEATRE MAKER • WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Henry Madd was the 2023 writer in residence for Pentabus Theatre company, sponsored by the Film 4 and Peggy Ramsay bursary. Born in the West Midlands, now operating in Margate, his work champions rural voices and small-town stories.
An award-winning poet, educator, and theatre maker, Madd is a former Kent Poetry Slam Champion. He performs across the UK and internationally, headlining slams, events and festivals.
Past commissions include: The Marlowe Theatre (The Kit Heritage Project, A Poem For Canterbury), Canterbury Cathedral (Summer Storytelling), Half Moon Theatre (The Catastrophic Adventures Of Dollop And Crinkle), and Half A String Theatre Company (The Snowsmith).
His debut spoken word drama Land Of Lost Content is currently embarking on a national tour (see below for details). This follows its 2022 debut when it premiered at Pleasance London to 4 and 5-star reviews. It then went on to a short run at Ludlow Fringe and a full run in the Pleasance Courtyard at Edinburgh Fringe 2022. The show won Theatre Weekly’s award for Best Ensemble Cast, made it into The Stage’s Top 10 Theatre Shows of The Fringe, and was included in The Guardian’s round up of favourite shows of the year.
"Land Of Lost Content is a frustrated love letter to my hometown. It's about the messiness of old friendships that should probably end but won't because they’re the only ones who know what it was really like to grow up where you did. This show champions rural voices, it demands that people pay attention to the darker side to life in a small town whilst celebrating the beauty of it."
Henry Madd reflecting on his work.
Alongside his writing, Henry delivers successful community art projects that encourage connection with poetry, theatre and our sense of home. Previous collaborations include working with organisations such as the Public Library of San Diego and The Phiharmonia Orchestra. He was previously a member of Create: Arts Nurturing Talent Programme leading workshops with young carers.
Events
The Land of Lost Content
Henry and Jake grew up with their mates in a quiet country town called Dulowl. A town where they forged friendships in failed adventures, bad habits and damp raves as they stumbled through adolescence looking for something to do. Then Henry moved away.
Now he’s back but there’s no enjoying a welcome-home-pint without facing up to the memories he ran from. Welcome to a town that turns worlds upside down in an instant, yet nothing seems to change.
A compassionate, funny and deeply moving take on life in a small town.
Past Performances
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Fringe - August 2022
The Chang Thai Bar, Ludlow Fringe - July 2022
Pleasance, London - February 2022
Further Praise for Land Of Lost Content
Best Ensemble Cast
https://theatreweekly.com/theatre-weeklys-best-of-the-fest-2022/
Top 10 Shows of The Fringe
https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/edinburgh-fringe-2022-best-shows-of-the-year
Readers Favourite Shows of The Year
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/dec/19/readers-favourite-stage-shows-of-2022
Performances
The Reviews Hub
The Upcoming
The Stage
Theatre Weekly
The Snowsmith
The Drill Hall, Ware/ Hertford Theatre, 10 December 2022 – 1 January 2023.
Norwich Theatre, Stage Two, 2 December - 17 December 2023
Lakeside Arts, Nottingham, 20 + 21 January 2024
The Snowsmith tells the story of Eira, an enthusiastic experimental meteorologist, as she journeys through a towering library, up a goat laden mountain and onto a rusty steamboat voyage across an icy ocean in search of the ingredients to create the most perfect snow.
Half a String bring their signature style of breath-taking puppetry, striking set, atmospheric folk music, and captivating storytelling to Ware Drill Hall for 2022.
Get lost in a world that will have the whole family gasping, laughing and enjoying a story together this winter.
“The Snowsmith truly captures the imagination, and tells the tale of courage and determination with a sprinkle of magic”
“a captivating explosion of joy this Christmas”
“Captivating Storytelling”
Portfolio
Workshops
Henry works extensively facilitating writing and theatre workshops for people of all ages. He is passionate about promoting 'writing for well-being'. Often this takes the form of community projects designed to encourage people to connect with each other and the places they call home. Henry combines his theatre background with his teaching practice to get words up on their feet, keeping writing exciting and relevant.
CREATE:ARTS
Between 2020-2021 Henry was selected to join leading arts charity CREATE:ARTS' nurturing talent programme. Here Henry supported leading workshop facilitators in delivering workshops to vulnerable demographics of people. He is now part of CREATE'S pool of artists.
In his own words:
At school, I didn’t get poetry and saw writing as a chore, I could never imagine doing it for leisure. Now I couldn’t live without it. I want everyone else to share that feeling. You don’t have to be good at spelling or have perfect grammar (I am the prime example of this) to be a writer. You just need to find your voice and say whatever it is you want to say.
Contact Me
Please email for any inquiries regarding bookings, performances and workshops! Henry will typically respond within 24 hours.