Manchester hosts its first-ever TALKAOKE as part of the lively programme of stories, performance, and wordplay.
This World Poetry Day, the NOMA neighbourhood will come alive with WORD PLAY, a bold, interactive celebration of language taking place at Sadler’s Yard on Saturday 21 March 2026 from 12pm-6pm. As part of the festivities, the acclaimed pop-up talk show TALKAOKE will make its Manchester debut, bringing its energetic, unscripted format to the city for the very first time.
Running from late morning into early evening, WORD PLAY will transform Sadler’s Yard into a vibrant hub of performance, participation, and hands-on creativity. Alongside TALKAOKE’s signature “talk show in the round”, visitors can enjoy:
A special morning workshop on poetry for performance will help newcomers and emerging voices develop confidence and technique ahead of the afternoon’s live programme.
And in a tasty twist, guests can quite literally eat their words with a giant pot of alphabet-pasta minestrone bubbling away in the Yard, which is free to enjoy, with donations encouraged in support of local children’s literacy charity Wood Street Mission.
TALKAOKE has earned a reputation across the UK and internationally for its spontaneous, inclusive approach to public conversation. Centred around its distinctive glowing round table, the show places a host in the middle while anyone is invited to pull up a seat, take the microphone, and shape the discussion. With no script and no stage, the format evolves entirely through the ideas, humour, and curiosity of the people who gather. Its arrival in Manchester marks a significant cultural moment for the city and invites residents and visitors alike to take part in this shared experiment in live conversation.
NOMA’s WORD PLAY event is family-friendly, accessible, and encourages people of all ages to reconnect with words through speaking, listening, writing, or making. Set within one of Manchester’s most characterful public spaces, the event aims to spark creativity and bring the square to life with fresh ideas, playful expression, and community spirit.
With TALKAOKE’s first-ever Manchester appearance at its heart, WORD PLAY promises a lively and memorable new way to celebrate the power of language.
For more information and to reserve a free spot, click here.
For more information and to reserve a free spot, click here.