YOUNG creative writers gave café-goers a cultural surprise when they read out their own original poems to unsuspecting customers.

A handful of brave teenagers from Monmouth School, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth Comprehensive made the top floor of Coffee #1 their stage for the event on Thursday, June 29.

Part of the unique pupil-led Monmouth Literary Festival, which is now in its third year, the pop-up poetry afternoon was organised alongside local members of the Poets in Progress (PIPS) community.

James Swire, 15, received a huge round of applause after performing his thoughtful piece called Time?

The Monmouth School pupil, who recently played Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast at HMSG, said: “I took part in the poetry event because it’s a brilliant opportunity to share works.

“I learnt quite a few things; different people have different ways of expressing what is interesting to them, whether the poems are sad or about a rapping goldfish.

“I think this festival is special because we (the three schools) don’t necessarily ever meet, but in this event were are united in the art of literacy.”

Meanwhile, budding actors from the three schools took on the mammoth task of casting, rehearsing, set-making, costume-sourcing and performing three Shakespeare plays all in one day at The Blake Theatre.

The medley, arranged by Monmouth School English teacher Emma Arrand, featured cleverly condensed versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry V and Hamlet.