Event type: Festival

Writing on the Wall has championed women’s rights since its inception, offering a safe, unique, and empowering space for women to express themselves and grow through writing.

As a result, it has inspired hundreds of women and launched many into successful careers. To celebrate, they are delighted to host this event in partnership with The Women’s Organisation to bring together some of the incredible Women of WoW from over the years. Whether it be the amazing professional artists and writers they’ve worked with like special guests Salena Godden and Rose Thomas, or some of their thousands of project and festival participants, or their dedicated staff, they want to raise a glass to all that women have achieved through Writing on the Wall.

These women are truly unstoppable and they’re so excited to see what more they will accomplish over the next 25 years.

For more than four decades, police forces ran a covert operation spying on thousands of citizens, infiltrating political groups working for peace, animal rights, social and environmental justice. Officers were deployed deep undercover, creating fake identities and deceiving women into long-term, intimate relationships, some resulting in children. Thanks to the determination and investigative work of a number of the women involved an Undercover Policing inquiry was secured, via which the full scope of these intrusive, undercover operations is being revealed.

Join them to hear first-hand testimony from Alison and Belinda, core participants in the inquiry, members of Police Spies Out of Lives and co-authors of The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed alongside Lucy Wilcox, director of the subsequent ITV documentary as they discuss how this state-sanctioned abuse of their human rights was allowed to happen and how institutionalised misogyny and sexism still exists in the police to this day.

Please note: The identities of these women are still protected so photography and posting imagery to social media will be prohibited at the event.

Alison (a pseudonym) and Belinda Harvey are two of the eight women who first took legal action against the Metropolitan police over the conduct of undercover officers.

In the 1980s, Belinda was deceived into a two year relationship with undercover Bob Lambert who spied on animal rights activists. A decade later, Alison was deceived into a five year relationship with undercover officer Mark Jenner who spied on anti-racist, anti-fascist groups and trade unions.

Both Alison and Belinda are core participants in the judge led public inquiry into undercover policing and was one of seven women who brought a claim against the UK government to the United Nations Campaign for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

They are part of Police Spies Out of Lives, a campaign and support group for women affected by deceitful, intimate relationships with undercover police, and they are co-authors of The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed and contributors to the ITV documentary based on the book.

Lucy Wilcox is responsible for directing some of the highest ratings documentaries of the last few years. She has a love of observational filming and creating honest stories and directing stories that are talked about by millions. Her programs and have been nominated for and won multiple awards. She’s very experienced at building strong, ethical relationships with people Lucy makes domestic and important subjects accessible to large audiences, bringing surprise, humour and warmth to all projects. Her projects are often about families of all shapes and sizes, it’s the subject that interests her the most.

Web: policespiesoutoflives.org.uk
X: @out_of_lives | @alisonspycops | @Belinda11352092
Facebook: @policespiesoutoflives

Join us for a special performance by internationally acclaimed poet and urban griot Levi Tafari as he performs from his new powerful new collection, Being Human.

Levi, who graced the stage at the very first WoWFEST, has been a longstanding collaborator, friend and ambassador for Writing on the Wall, inspiring audiences with his unique blend of rhythm, wisdom, and storytelling. In this exciting performance, Levi will explore themes of identity, humanity, and resilience, offering thought-provoking insights. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a truly dynamic artist who has helped shape the cultural landscape of Liverpool and beyond. Levi Tafari’s Being Human is more than just poetry—it’s a celebration of the human spirit.

Levi Tafari is a renowned poet, performer, and educator whose work spans the realms of literature, music, and activism. Known for his powerful storytelling, Tafari’s poetry blends elements of reggae, Rastafari culture, and social commentary. His work has earned him widespread acclaim, as he consistently seeks to inspire and uplift.

Levi has performed around the world, captivating audiences along the way. A passionate advocate for youth empowerment and cultural awareness, he has taught poetry and creative writing to students of all ages. Levi has been a member of the Writing on the Wall’s artistic community, working on such project as ‘From Great War to Race Riots’, the ‘Princes Boulevard Steps’ initiative and most recently in the re-opening for Spellow Library. Levi is a Honorary Citizen of the City of Liverpool.

In Green Ink, Stephen May reimagines the disappearance of Victor Grayson – disgraced socialist firebrand, secret service informant, bisexual hedonist and a man who knew too much. His disappearance is one of British politics’ most beguiling mysteries. Stephen May presents his historical speculation with bite, wit and electrifying drama.

As Prime Minister David Lloyd George hides out with his mistress at Chequers, a scandal over the selling of public honours looms—and Grayson threatens to expose it all. But in 1920, secrets are dangerous, and the cost of truth might just be a life.

Join acclaimed novelist Stephen May for an evening of intrigue, humour, and revolutionary politics as he discusses Green Ink, praised as ‘funny, scurrilous, revealing and memorable’ (Historical Novel Society) and a vivid and wholly credible recreation of post-Great War London’ (Robert Edric).

Part political thriller, part literary mystery, Green Ink asks not only what happened to Victor Grayson—but what might still be happening today.

Stephen May is the author of six novels including Life! Death! Prizes! which was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award and The Guardian Not The Booker Prize. He has been shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year and is a winner of the Media Wales Reader’s Prize. He has written plays, as well as for television and film. He lives in West Yorkshire.

In December 2023, the world lost a singular voice. Refaat Alareer, poet, editor, teacher, and mentor, was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, along with six members of his family. His final poem, If I Must Die, written just weeks before his death, echoed across borders and languages, giving voice to the grief and resistance of a people under siege.

Refaat Alareer was a Palestinian writer, poet, and professor of English literature at the Islamic University of Gaza. A passionate educator and mentor, he was a co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a platform amplifying young Palestinian voices. His poetry and essays captured the struggles and resilience of life in Gaza, making him a vital literary figure. Through his teaching, writing, and activism, he shaped a new generation of Palestinian storytellers.

But Refaat’s legacy did not end there. A towering figure in Palestinian literature, he helped shape a new generation of writers and thinkers, not only through his words, but through his presence, his mentorship, and his belief in the power of storytelling.

Join them for a special evening of remembrance, reflection, and resistance, as they celebrate the life and work of Refaat Alareer and the community he built around him.

With readings from his poetry and prose, and reflections from three people who knew him personally: Yousef Aljamal, Gaza-based writer, translator, and editor of If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose, a tribute to his former teacher, Ahmed Nehad, writer, translator, and fellow lecturer at the Islamic University in Gaza, who Refaat mentored for many years, and Basma Ghalayini, translator and editor of Palestine +100 and Palestine -1, two ground-breaking science fiction anthologies imagining past and future Palestine’s.

This event, in partnership with Comma Press, is part of Liverpool’s growing cultural response to the ongoing crisis in Palestine, rooted in solidarity, shaped by stories, and driven by the belief that voices like Refaat’s must continue to be heard.

Writing on the Wall are delighted to welcome back historian John Rees to present his compelling work of narrative history, The Fiery Spirits: Popular Protest, Parliament and the English Revolution.

As WoW proudly celebrates 25 years of radical storytelling, John uncovers the hidden stories of influential MPs and their allies who envisioned a kingdom without a crown. The so-called ‘fiery spirits’ who brought a desperate nation to the brink in the Civil Wars include the future regicide Henry Marten, the firebrand William Strode, the formidable colonel Alexander Rigby and Sir Peter Wentworth, descendant of a long line of anti-monarchists.

More than a book of political intrigue, The Fiery Spirits is a testament to the power of the people. Its reflections on mass demonstration resonate deeply today as four independent candidates sit at Westminster as a direct result of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

John Rees is an influential historian, broadcaster, campaigner. His books include Timelines: A Political History of the Modern World, The Leveller Revolution and A People’s History of London, co-authored with his partner Lindsey German. He also produces documentaries and presents current affairs programmes for the Islam Channel. Currently, he is a Visiting Research Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is a National Officer of the Stop the War Coalition, which opposes the British establishment’s disastrous addiction to war, and a founding member of the organisation Counterfire.

Join the team for a powerful discussion on class, creativity, and resilience in the arts. Against All Odds brings together a stellar panel of artists and writers who have challenged barriers and defied expectations.

From poetry to fiction, from script to screen and from performance to activism, they have each carved a space for working-class voices in the cultural landscape. Featuring Joelle Taylor, Ashleigh Nugent, Barrington Paul Robinson, and Jayshree Patel, this event will explore the struggles of working-class creatives, the systemic obstacles they face, and the triumphs they’ve achieved along the way. How do we dismantle these barriers? And how do we celebrate the successes? Expect an evening of passionate conversation, personal insights, and inspiration from those who have paved the way.

Joelle Taylor is an award-winning poet, playwright, and author, Joelle Taylor’s work focuses on identity, power, and resistance. She is the winner of the 2021 T.S. Eliot Prize for her collection C+nto & Othered Poems.

Ashleigh Nugent is a writer, performer, and director of RiseUp CiC, Ashleigh Nugent explores race, identity, and class through his work, including his acclaimed novel LOCKS, based on his real-life experiences.

Barrington Paul Robinson is an Ethical Producer, he broke into HETV in 2020 on award winning, BAFTA nominated drama, The Responder, then A Town Called Malice for SKY, Disney+, period drama, A Thousand Blows, returning home for the second series of The Responder. Based in Liverpool, he is Co-founder of the BFI Creative Producer Lab and founder of his production company Redbag Pictures. Inspired by the past – powered by the future….he ain’t done yet!

Jayshree Patel is a writer on Hollyoaks, Waterloo Road and Casualty and advocate for diverse voices on screen. A champion of underrepresented perspectives, Jayshree is passionate about working for and with young people.

This event is a partnership between Writing on the Wall (WoW) and the Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN), an independent advocacy network which aims to bring together various stakeholders to amplify voices fighting against poverty and injustice, both regionally and nationally.

Following Tom Hall’s successful WoWFest audio plays, Bartleby: A Tale of Wall Street (2023) and Anything for a Laugh (2024), One Hour Theatre Company presents two short plays for radio, as a collective listening experience.

Set in Argentina during economic collapse, but with a British tone, My Own Free Voice features Jane Hogarth as an un-named woman, and the drama explores the centrality of family relationships to the maintenance and projection of happiness, loyalty, and the nation, under military dictatorship.

Both plays are directed by Victor Merriman, featured in I Live Alone as the Protagonist, who takes another man’s turn in an A&E waiting room. Chancing his arm, this loquacious and jocular working-class Dubliner sets in train a series of unpredictable events reminiscent of the dark comedic writings of Flann O’Brien. Sound design, recording, and editing: WeZ Nolan.

When is a Nazi salute not a Nazi salute? When performed – twice – by Elon Musk, Trump’s loyal Mitläufer (hanger-on). Orwellian dystopia unfolds: protesters jailed, activists punished, and the BBC bowing to right-wing pressure – all just in the UK. In the US, Green Card holders are detained for lawful protest, scientists deported over critical phone comments, and Venezuelans falsely branded as criminals. Meanwhile, Trump flirts with Putin, excusing an invasion his own supporters recently condemned.

And then there’s Gaza. ‘Never again,’ we said, but only one side meant it. As the Israeli State commits genocide in broad daylight, democratic leaders barely raise a whisper in protest.

Yet, as Dr. Martin Luther King said, ‘Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.’ WoWFEST’s panel, featuring Chris Nineham, Niheer Dasandi, and Roger Hill, discusses democracy under attack—and how we can fight back.

More guests to be announced!

Chris Nineham is a founder and vice-chair of the Stop the War Coalition. Arrested in 2025 during a pro-Palestinian march, he pleaded not guilty to Public Order Act charges. He helped organise the historic 2003 anti-war protests, the 2001 Genoa G8 protests, and the European and World Social Forums. A regular media commentator, he writes for Stop the War, Counterfire, and others.

Niheer Dasandi, author of Is Democracy Failing (2018), is Professor of Global Politics and Sustainable Development. His research focuses on human rights, development, climate change, and foreign policy. He co-chairs the Lancet Countdown’s Public and Political Engagement Working Group. Niheer’s has published a range of books, and his work appears in leading journals.

Roger Hill hosted the UK’s longest-running alternative music show on BBC Radio Merseyside for nearly 40 years. A key figure in Youth Theatre, he has worked at Liverpool Everyman and beyond, now focusing on Live Art and storytelling.