Crying Into Bins

20 years in hospitality – a cathartically funny poetical memoir

From the food waste bin into which her friend had a nervous breakdown, Lia tries to make sense of the twenty years she spent serving food and drink. Crying into Bins chronicles tales collected over two decades and takes shape as a long-form spoken word poem. But expect a little more than one woman and a microphone. This is a fast-paced and funny poetical exploration of mental health, societal structures, terrible rage and bittersweet acceptance.

I have spent my adult life shovelling leftover potato fondants into my mouth in the vain hope that the sheer volume might make up for the lack of company, posh dress and dinner music they were designed for…

“I wrote this piece to give voice and catharsis to some of the most sidelined, patronised, overlooked and poorly paid workers in the gig economy. And to pay tribute to those who stood beside me pulling pints, steaming milk, holding trays and pouring champagne. Those people saved my soul and sanity every single day.” – Writer & Performer Lia Burge