Lydia Towsey is a poet and performer. Her work frequently explores contemporary women's issues, myth, art and identity. She's got a poem about Genocide, featuring cows and how to say ‘I love you’ in Rwandan and a sonnet about how snails are actually refugees from Italy...

Previous commissions include the prestigious ‘Freedom Showcase'. the 'Beyond Words' tour (Apples &Snakes) and in 2011, the Poet in the City and Apples & Snakes 'All Stars Tour'. In 2008 she was one of 50 international artists in residence, at Stratford Theatre Royal.

Lydia is currently touring her one woman show: 'The Venus Papers' funded by Arts Council England and Charnwood Arts and directed by the internationally acclaimed artist, Jean 'Binta' Breeze.

The show features a 2 metre scallop shell, more wardrobe than Narnia and Lydia, prancing around in a flesh coloured leotard.   Music is composed and performed by the acclaimed Vibraphonist, Corey Mwamba and features Dave Dhonau on Cello and guitar. Film visuals are designed by Keith Allott.  

In addition to writing and performing, Lydia job shares the role of Arts Coordinator for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. She is a poet with pink hair. Her job share, Tim rides a uni-cycle and has a pierced ear. Somehow, they have been given an office. In the past they have performed together. They will moonlight for children's parties and Bar Mitzvahs.

Lydia comperes and coordinates, WORD! the longest running poetry and spoken word night in the Midlands (www.myspace.com/wordleicester ). She is the Artistic Director of ‘The Lyric Lounge’ a critically acclaimed poetry festival, (www.lyriclounge.co.uk)

She has performed alongside John Hegley, Jean 'Binta' Breeze and Keorapetse Kgositsile, the South African Poet Laureate, amongst others.

She has a Masters in creative writing. She drinks a lot of tea.

For more information, go to her myspace: www.myspace.com/lydia.towsey   or her blog:www.secretagentartist.wordpress.com ...that’s where she keeps all the weird stuff.