British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Dance steps into Literature Week
Charles Dance, Kenneth Cranham and Elizabeth McGovern light up the stage in British Academy event
The Josephine Hart Poetry Hour attracts well-known faces from stage and screen, and the special version to be hosted by the British Academy next week will be no exception, with three leading actors taking to the stage to bring vividly to life classic and lesser known examples of some of the finest poetry ever written for the stage. The event is free to the public.
Announced today, Charles Dance (The Jewel in the Crown, Gosford Park), Kenneth Cranham (Shine on Harvey Moon, Layer Cake, Hot Fuzz) and Elizabeth McGovern (Ordinary People, Ragtime) will join the novelist and theatre producer Josephine Hart for this poetic tour de force. By matching her readers to her choice of poetry, Josephine will enable even the most well-loved verse to be heard as if for the first time.
The Poetry Hour is part of a double bill celebrating contemporary poetry in the theatre during the British Academy’s Literature Week. The second half, Beyond Verse?, will bring together playwright Frank McGuinness, poet Grey Gowrie and classical theatre expert Professor Edith Hall for a discussion of 20th century revivals of ‘poetic’ theatre, new translations of classical drama and different interpretations of what constitutes ‘poetry’ in the contemporary theatre. It will be chaired by one of our foremost literary critics, Dame Gillian Beer.
The evening begins with the Poetry Hour at 5.00pm on Thursday 21 October. After a short interval, Beyond Verse? follows at 6.30pm (note: this session originally included the poet Derek Walcott, who had to withdraw due to ill health). The event is hosted by the British Academy at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH. For more information and to register, please visit www.britac.ac.uk/literatureweek
Dr Robin Jackson, Chief Executive and Secretary, the British Academy, said:
'The Academy is excited to have attracted such eminent figures to its first ever Literature Week, and we are delighted to be able to give the public a unique opportunity to watch, listen and be inspired by their words.'
NOTES TO EDITORS
Published:
22 October 2009
For more information, images or media passes to attend, please contact Kate Turnbull, Press and PR Manager: 0207 969 5263/k.turnbull@britac.ac.uk
- British Academy Literature Week runs from 19-22 October 2009. Each day features a pair of linked events, starting at 5.00pm with an hour-long discussion or series of readings, followed by a short tea break, then a lecture or panel discussion at 6.30pm. Each evening ends with a reception at around 7.45pm.
- All the events are free and take place either at the British Academy (10 Carlton House Terrace) or at the Royal Society (6-9 Carlton House Terrace). Doors open at 4.30pm. The event is being run in association with the Institute of English Studies.
- To register attendance to any of the events in Literature Week, please visit www.britac.ac.uk/literatureweek and fill out the online registration form. All events are free and pre-registration is the best way to secure a place. However, some seats for all Literature Week events will also be available on the night, on a first come, first served basis, for those unable to pre-register.
- Born and raised in Ireland, Josephine Hart was a Director of Haymarket Publishing and founded Gallery Poets (now the Josephine Hart Poetry Hour at the British Library) before going on to produce a number of West End plays, including the award winning The House of Bernarda Alba by Lorca, Noël Coward’s The Vortex, The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch and Let Us Go Then, You and I. She presented the series Books by My Bedside for Thames TV. She is the bestselling author of Damage (filmed by Louis Malle), Sin (adapted by Théâtre Blu), Oblivion, The Stillest Day and The Reconstructionist (filmed by Roberto Ando). Her most recent novel is The Truth about Love (2009).
- The British Academy, established by Royal Charter in 1902, champions and supports the humanities and social sciences. It aims to inspire, recognise and support excellence and high achievement across the UK and internationally. For more information, please visit www.britac.ac.uk