Zakariye

Photo by Neal Kemsley

Birmingham based poet, playwright and filmmaker

His short poetry film Cages was broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer. Zakariye later went on to win the audience vote at the 2023 Roundhouse Poetry Slam final, cementing his place as a voice to watch. He is an Alumni of the Roundhouse Collective (2023-24) and was a Roundhouse Resident Artist (2024-25).

In 2025, as part of the Roundhouse Studio Theatre Season, Zakariye’s play , also titled Cages, had a three-show run. His debut poetry pamphlet, Pulling Faces, was published with Little Betty in November 2025.

Zakariye is a member of Birmingham Hippodrome Origins working on a brand new one-man stage play titled Come Pretend like it’s Calm due to debut at the Hippodrome in May 2025 as part of the Origins Showcase.

Performances

Zakariye began his creative journey in performance poetry. There was a point in time where you’d rarely find an open mic night without his name scribbled on the sign up sheet. He didn’t sleep for an entire year.

After annoying himself into the Birmingham poetry scene, Zakariye has ventured into theatre with a focus on poetry, merging poetry with short films, collaborating with more artists and creative mediums and championing new writers by facilitating workshops.

Photo by Paul Stringer

Upcoming events
(if it’s updated)

  • Careers in writing - WMM

    Sat 8 November ‘25
    12:00 - 15:30

    Birmingham City University
    15 Bartholomew Row
    Birmingham
    B5 5JU

    Tickets

  • Bradley Taylor + friends

    Thurs 20 November ‘25
    19:00 - 21:00

    The Night Owl,
    17-18 Lower Trinity Street
    Deritend
    B9 4AG

    Tickets

  • Bad Betty Live x Poetry Club

    Fri 28 November ‘25
    19:00 - 21:00

    LCB Depot
    31 Rutland St
    Leicester
    LE1 1RE

    FREE

  • Everything poetry night

    Monday 1st December
    19:00 - 21:30

    The Walrus
    172 Westminster Bridge Road
    London
    SE1 7RW

    PWYC

Testimonials

  • "."

    Casey Bailey

  • "I'm just the marketing person, I don't do testimonials"

    Punch Records

  • "He performed here once and shelled it"

    Westminster Abbey

  • “I mean he's okay if you ignore most of what he says"

    Cecilia Knapp

  • "I'll get you a testimonial soon. nice one."

    Steven ‘Polarbear’ Camden

  • "You'd be a better poet if you listened to me ."

    Roger Robinson

  • "who gave you my number?"

    Vanessa Kisuule

get in touch

Reach out if you want to work together, inquire about a performance/workshop or if you want to make a (nice) comment on my work