I think I’ve made a habit of reaching the back-end of the
season before putting a blogpost together. Although the summer hasn’t involved
many public readings, things have been bubbling away behind the scenes. The
interactive poetry-play, ‘Carried on a Cloud of Sawdust’ at Nostell Priory on
July 13th was well received and I was thrilled that all the characters were taken
on by audience members over two performances. I was also able to see the
incredibly versatile and very talented poet, Zodwa Nyoni perform her poem, ‘Mahogany’,
at the same event. The National Trust have very kindly asked me to return to
Nostell for one more performance of my Chippendale play on September 28th,
if anyone is able to make it, it’d be great to see you there.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to work on a project with
Forward Prize-winning poet Vahni Capildeo, who is exploring the theme of
journeys and Windrush at Dewsbury Road Community Hub. I helped Vahni deliver a
workshop on August 14th and the work produced by the writers
attending the workshops will feature in a text exhibition in the building next
year. This is part of a larger project called Collections in Verse taking place
across Leeds.
Next up I’ll be part of the judging panel at Otley’s
first-ever Town Crier Competition on Sunday September 23rd. On
September 30th I will appear at The Bridge Church to read a
commissioned poem celebrating their stained-glass window which commemorates the
end of the First World War. This is followed by a performance at Ilkley
Literature Festival with the Courthouse Writers who have devised a piece
entitled ‘No Cold Callers’ with fellow poet and friend James Nash on October 1st
at Ilkley Playhouse. Then I will join Otley Poets to celebrate National Poetry
Day on Oct 4th and support James for the launch of his new book ‘A
Bench for Billie Holiday’ at The Leeds Library on October 16th
alongside Di Slaney. I will return to Chesterfield Labour Club on October 27th.
And I will be appearing at The Purple Room in Ben Rhydding on November 22nd.
I’ve most likely missed something out, so I’ll quit while I’m ahead and try to
be more organised when compiling autumn’s blogpost.
I think I’ve made a habit of reaching the back-end of the
season before putting a blogpost together. Although the summer hasn’t involved
many public readings, things have been bubbling away behind the scenes. The
interactive poetry-play, ‘Carried on a Cloud of Sawdust’ at Nostell Priory on
July 13th was well received and I was thrilled that all the characters were taken
on by audience members over two performances. I was also able to see the
incredibly versatile and very talented poet, Zodwa Nyoni perform her poem, ‘Mahogany’,
at the same event. The National Trust have very kindly asked me to return to
Nostell for one more performance of my Chippendale play on September 28th,
if anyone is able to make it, it’d be great to see you there.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to work on a project with
Forward Prize-winning poet Vahni Capildeo, who is exploring the theme of
journeys and Windrush at Dewsbury Road Community Hub. I helped Vahni deliver a
workshop on August 14th and the work produced by the writers
attending the workshops will feature in a text exhibition in the building next
year. This is part of a larger project called Collections in Verse taking place
across Leeds. 
Next up I’ll be part of the judging panel at Otley’s
first-ever Town Crier Competition on Sunday September 23rd. On
September 30th I will appear at The Bridge Church to read a
commissioned poem celebrating their stained-glass window which commemorates the
end of the First World War. This is followed by a performance at Ilkley
Literature Festival with the Courthouse Writers who have devised a piece
entitled ‘No Cold Callers’ with fellow poet and friend James Nash on October 1st
at Ilkley Playhouse. Then I will join Otley Poets to celebrate National Poetry
Day on Oct 4th and support James for the launch of his new book ‘A
Bench for Billie Holiday’ at The Leeds Library on October 16th
alongside Di Slaney. I will return to Chesterfield Labour Club on October 27th.
And I will be appearing at The Purple Room in Ben Rhydding on November 22nd.
I’ve most likely missed something out, so I’ll quit while I’m ahead and try to
be more organised when compiling autumn’s blogpost.
