SHIFT+SPACE | Plebbing Up by Curly Wordy

Plebbing Up is a spoken-word-infused theatrical journey into the heart of East London and two working class friends, where a pie and mash shop becomes a living, breathing lung of Cockney voices, belonging, community, and forgotten friendships.

Imagine sitting in an old East End pie and mash shop. Steam fogs the windows. The smell of liquor and vinegar hangs thick. Then… voices. Around you. Beside you. This is Plebbing Up - a spoken-word-led theatrical experiment that personifies London through its poetry, its people, its friendships and its disappearing Cockney rhythms.

Set in a recreated, symbolic pie and mash shop, part memory, part myth, audiences are immersed in East London and into the hearts of the two old friends, burning bridges and building new ones whilst celebrating working class womanhood. From Brick Lane beigels to back-alley wisdom in Tower Hamlets, this is the Hamlet's speaking back.

Written and created by Curly Wordy aka Louise Hale, former community journalist and poet rooted in real voices, Plebbing Up is a first leap from page to stage: raw, rhythmic, and ready to be tested live. Sit close. Listen deeper. Lock lips with the unlit bits of the city… before they’re gone.

‘Integral, essential, picturesque wordplay. When I hear Curly do her words I can see everything so viscerally like opening a colouring book. With old school slang that strikes nostalgia in my brain til I see pictures. Wonderful.' - Hak Baker

‘Salt of the earth poet and truth teller. Curly Wordy captures your heart within minutes.’ - Sarah Callaghan

‘Curly Wordy is a rare gem, whose heart, passions and skill with a pen make a treasure of her cockney roots and a gift for the rest of us.’ - Paul Cree

Louise Hale - Writer and Creator

Phoebe Barran - Director

Martha Rumney - Producer

Bruce Basudde - Field Recordings & Videographer

Cast:
Louise Hale as Lou
Kellie Shirley as Kell

Images: Stuart Freedman

This performance has been supported by Arts Council England

Age guidance: This performance is recommended for ages 16+

Content warning: This performance contains some swearing and some challenging subjects

Interval: This performance does not have an interval.

Post show discussion: This performance has a 30 minute post show discussion.

Eye masks will be provided for those that would prefer to just listen to the words.For those who would prefer to read along, hard copy scripts will be provided.The performance space will also be relaxed. Audience members should feel able to get up, move around, leave the space as they please

For those who would prefer to read along, hard copy scripts will be provided.

See our Accessibility Guide for information about access in our venue.

Curly Wordy (aka Louise Hale) is a working-class spoken word artist, writer, and performer from Tower Hamlets, now based in Margate. With over 20 years of experience, her work blends poetry, performance, and lived experience to explore themes of identity, social mobility, and working-class narratives. A former community journalist, Curly Wordy has performed at FLO Vortex, BYOB London, and LDNRSB, and collaborated with artists including Hak Baker and Gemma Barnett. In 2025, she was selected for Playhouse East’s Writing for Working Class Artists Programme. Her practice now focuses on developing socially engaged, documentary-style spoken word theatre rooted in truth, resilience, heritage and community.

Instagram: @curlywordyofficial

Youtube: @curlywordy

This performance is part of the SHIFT+SPACE programme

Theatre Deli’s SHIFT+SPACE programme is a free performance opportunity for artists to present their work that needs an audience to develop, where artists keep 100% of the Box Office!

Find out more about the SHIFT+SPACE programme here.

Also check out other Arts events in London, Literary Art events in London, Workshops in London.