VERSE STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE’S FOURTH FESTIVAL OF POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD
2018
11 - 15 APR 2018
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A FIVE DAY FESTIVAL OF LIVE EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS INCLUDING LEMN SISSAY PERFORMING A ONE-OFF SPECIAL OF SOMETHING DARK
STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE 27 ST MARY’S STREET STAMFORD PE9 2DL BOX OFFICE 01780 763203 WWW.STAMFORDARTSCENTRE.COM
•FRINGE•TUESDAY 10/WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL•FRINGE•
VERSE FESTIVAL LAUNCH EVENT TUE 10 APR 7PM, GALLERY BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
WELCOME
STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE’S FESTIVAL OF POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD returns for another year, bigger and even better than before! 2017 was a hugely successful year for poetry nationwide as well as in Stamford. More people are starting to write, read and perform poetry in an explosion of enthusiasm and talent. Nationally, spoken word artists like Kate Tempest, Hollie McNish, Luke Wright and Lemn Sissay have helped so many realise their inner poet. This year’s festival brings some more big names to the town-don’t miss Lemn Sissay’s masterclass and renowned show, ‘Something Dark’ as well as Roger McGough and his band, LiTTLe MACHiNe! With something for adults and children, beginners and experts alike, Verse 2018 has something for everyone to enjoy.
JOIN US FOR POETRY, OPEN-MICS AND MORE
IN STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE’S CELLAR BAR FROM 9PM ON FESTIVAL NIGHTS
COULD YOU BE THE NEXT POET LAUREATE!? 2
VISIT WWW.STAMFORDARTSCENTRE.COM TO ENTER
POET LAUREATE FINAL
TUE 10 APR 8PM, CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
CHILDREN’S POETRY COMPETITION PRIZE GIVING WITH JOSEPH COELHO (CBEEBIES’ POETRY JOE)
WED 11 APR 5PM, POETRY STONE/GALLERY BAR (IF POOR WEATHER)
BILLY PILGRIM AND THE HEARTSEASE KID BILLY PILGRIM is a spoken word poet whose work is grounded in abstract narratives, that explore the reality of modern life. He’s often outspoken and always irreverent, Billy will leave you questioning accepted truths. THE HEARTSEASE KID is Norwich-born producer and digital music graduate of Southampton Solent. His work with Pilgrim comes from their shared love of Hip-hop and electronic music.
WED 11 APR 9PM, CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE, FREE ENTRY
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A JOSEPH COELHO PRODUCTION
FAIRYTALES GONE BAD Join performance poet Joseph Coelho, National Poetry Day Ambassador, as he unravels familiar fairytales to create fresh contemporary classics in an enchanting performance for young and old alike. Joseph will be supported by local junior poet, Annabel Ochala Greenough. GRANNYLOCKS/THE MONSTROUS DUCKLING WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL A father returns home with a magical cloak. A cloak that hides a story…
ZOMBIE-ELLA/BLOOD-RED HOOD WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL A mysterious vaudeville storyteller with a magical top-hat and coat unwinds the true stories behind the happily ever afters, which Did you know that the ugly duckling was are maybe not as charming as you remember! never ugly? He was truly monstrous! Or that Goldilocks was never a tale about a little girl. Discover the true tale of Cinderella, where It was always a tale about a granny - a mean, she dies and becomes a zombie and falls in thieving granny who has plans for something love with a vampire prince. And of course, quite nasty. For ages 3 years plus, 45 mins there’s the true tale of Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf-hunter who never leaves her home long. without her shield, axe and blood-red stained cloak. For ages 6 years plus, 45 mins long. When GRANNYLOCKS/THE MONSTROUS DUCKLING 11.30AM | ZOMBIE-ELLA/BLOOD-RED HOOD 2.30PM Tickets £8 (£7) 4 Venue THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
LEMN SISSAY ‘SOMETHING DARK’ A rare chance to see a dramatic reading of this acclaimed one-man play! LEMN SISSAY MBE is the author of several speaker across the globe. His life story is books of poetry alongside articles, nothing short of incredible. records, public art, and plays. He was also the official poet for the London Olympics SOMETHING DARK tells the story of Lemn’s and has his Landmark Poems installed upbringing in children’s homes and foster throughout Manchester and London. He care, the search for his family and true is associate artist at Southbank Centre, identity. Originally directed by John McGrath (National Theatre of Wales), it has been performed throughout the world Buy tickets for the live show and to critical acclaim and was adapted by the masterclass together at BBC in 2005. the same time and save!
patron of The Letterbox Club and The Reader Organisation. He is a regular contributor to radio and TV and a prolific
Plus, learn from the master with Lemn’s MASTERCLASS before the live show.
When WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL MASTERCLASS 5PM | SHOW 7.30PM Tickets £20 SHOW & MASTERCLASS | £10 MASTERCLASS ONLY | £15 SHOW ONLY Venue THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
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AWARD WINNING SHOW
•FRINGE•THURSDAY 12 APRIL•FRINGE•
LYNDA GREENE
AT STAMFORD LIBRARY, THU 12 APR 11AM-12PM, FREE EVENT
Lynda will be in the Children’s Section reading from her children’s book ‘Mr Nolly and The Magic Ladder’.
RHODRI MILES IN
DYLAN THOMAS’ CLOWN IN THE MOON
Supported by local poet, Rob Ellks Located in a BBC studio, this show sets some of Dylan’s famous broadcasts and iconic works alongside vivid reminiscences of his clownish antics in pubs, bars and parties, and his encounters with a host of eccentric and volatile women. This solo show is directed by the awardwinning director and actor Gareth Armstrong and is written by awardwinning writer Gwynne Edwards. Clown In The Moon (the title of a poem written when Dylan was 14) is a dramatic portrait of the poet’s chaotic, frequently hilarious, and scene and is a popular draw at poetry events with his own brand of poetry that all too brief life. always draws a smile or poses interesting ROB ELLKS is a retired teacher who has food for thought. been a key part of the Stamford poetry When THURSDAY 12 APRIL 7.30PM Tickets £8 (£7) 6 Venue THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
AT WALKERS BOOKSHOP, THU 12 APR 2PM, FREE EVENT
Lynda will be reading from her recent collection of poems.
BOOK FOR THREE OR MORE VERSE EVENTS AT THE SAME TIME AND GET £2 OFF AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TICKETS! DU PAIN, DU VIN, DU BOURSIN …ET DES POÈMES Share a sumptuous evening of French poetry mixed with wine, cheese and great company...
THU 12 APR 6PM, STAMFORD WINE BAR, £6 INC CHEESE & WINE
BILL TAYLOR PRESENTS ‘TOPICAL POETRY’
THU 12 APR 9.30PM, CELLAR BAR, FREE ENTRY
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•FRINGE•FRIDAY 13 APRIL•FRINGE• GOT SOMETHING POETIC YOU WANT TO SAY!? TAKE TO STAMFORD POETRY STONE IN ST MICHAEL’S CHURCHYARD OFF HIGH-STREET AND SHOUT IT ALOUD!
ASH DICKINSON: HOW TO BE A SLAM SUPERSTAR WORKSHOP
DESERT ISLAND POEMS WITH RICHARD BARTER The hugely popular and ‘Poetry at Walkers Bookshop’ regular,
Richard Barter will be sharing his favourite poems complete with their interesting backstories a la BBC Radio 2’s Desert Island Discs.
FRI 13 APR 11AM, WALKERS BOOKSHOP, FREE EVENT
POETRY FUN SHOP
FOR ALL A G
WITH DARREN RAWNSLEY
ES!
The fun begins with words that dance on paper holding pencil tight, Colours swiftly rhyme and prance like Unicorns in the dead of night Who fly to dreams when children sleep and help imagination flow, Come and join our happy bunch of tiny poets, OFF WE GO!!
FRI 13 APR DROP IN FROM 11AM, STAMFORD LIBRARY, FREE EVENT
POETRY PUB CRAWL
‘Impressive wordplay’ The Times ‘Clever and funny’ The Scotsman ‘Brilliantly surreal invention...fabulous poems’ Edinburgh Evening News
WITH PETE (CARDINAL) COX
and wits! Always fancied the idea? We’re waiting to crown the Stamford Arts Festival Slam Champion and it could well be you! Popular local poet, ADI SMALLS (p10), will be judging with Ash.
FRI 13 APR 6.30PM, MEET AT THE CELLAR BAR
When FRIDAY 13 APRIL 2PM-4.30PM Tickets £5 Venue BALLROOM, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
Prepare to be lead astray as Pete (Cardinal) Cox marks the eighth anniversary of his literary column Pub Scrawl. Together with some friends he’ll read you verse and tell you tales about drinking and pubs. Meet in the Cellar Bar and then stagger on, no tickets, but buy your own drinks.
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Are you a poet or writer or rapper? Multiple slam champion and first Burning Eye poet Ash Dickinson presents scintillating spoken word and a short writing workshop building into a gladiatorial battle of words
Ash has performed in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Jordan, Germany and the Czech Republic. He has headlined many shows and festivals throughout the UK, been widely published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies and is in great demand to run poetry workshops. His first collection, ‘Slinky Espadrilles’ was the first title published by Burning Eye Books. His follow-up, ‘Strange Keys’, was released by the same publisher in April 2016.
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GRACE SAVAGE
DIRTY POETRY
SINGER, SONGWRITER & BEATBOXER
WORDS BY KALKI APORIA PERFORMED BY ALEX KAPILA
Supported by local poet, Adi Smalls
This is a show full of witty, funny, naughty, limmericks and verse that’s as free and filthy and dirty poetry by Kalki Aporia, easy as Byron’s morals. performed by Alex Kapila and produced by Performed by the amazing Alex Kapila, The Balkan Producing House. this is a show you’ll not want (or be able) A hilarious show strictly to forget in a hurry...
‘...something quite special’ CLASH
Named one of ELLE’s 100 Most Inspiring Nominated for ‘Best Female Solo Act’ Women, Grace is a rising star in the beatbox world having been crowned UK Beatbox and ‘Best Songwriter’, Unsigned Music Awards 2018 Champion four times, she has been selected by BBC Introducing and supported by BBC R1’s Huw Stephens to produce her debut EP. extraordinaire. Studying in Year 11 at Stamford Welland Academy, he has If Kate Tempest blows your socks off, don’t turned away from a life of teenage excess to write lyrical rhymes and perform on miss this blistering live beatbox show! ADI SMALLS is a fifteen year old poet countless stages after a chance meeting with Charley Genever, Peterborough’s Poet Laureate. Adi has headlined at Peterborough Key Fest, Celebration of Youth Day and the Jolly Brewer Beer Festival Drunk Poetry Stage. So, relax and enjoy a political, emotional and downright spectacular evening! Adi Smalls
When FRIDAY 13 APRIL 7.30PM Tickets £8 (£7) 10 Venue THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
for over 18s only!
Born in the Netherlands, Kalki Aporia studied at RADA and now lives between London and Serbia. As well as being an actor playwright he pens small scale theatre productions. His real passion is writing poetry, dirty poetry to be exact. Friends, audiences (and family) reckon he’s rather good at it. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience his sexy sonnets, lewd When FRIDAY 13 APR 9PM Tickets £8 (£7) Venue CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
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•FRINGE•SATURDAY 14 APRIL•FRINGE•
GINKO (HAIKU WALK) AND WORKSHOP
WITH ALAN SUMMERS
After a brief introduction to haiku, the very short poem genre, we’ll set out on a walk - known as a ginko in Japan - looking for inspiration. Afterwards, in a relaxed session, Alan will show how our rough notes and drafts can become polished haiku. Bring a packed-lunch, we’ll provide the sushi! Alan Summers is President of the United Haiku and Tanka Society and co-founder of Call of the Page. NHK TV (Japan) filmed Alan’s Haiku Journey which included a ginko.
SAT 14 APR 12PM, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE, £3
HEXAMETER A group of six poets (three women and three men) from Leicester, Lincoln, Nottinghamshire
and Sheffield, whose work has been published in national and international journals such as Acumen, Dream Catcher, Magma and The North. They first performed together in 2015 in Nottingham, and in 2016 appeared at the Southwell Library Poetry Festival, while continuing to read at festivals individually into 2017. This show presents ‘A Sense of Place’, poems reflecting our love of landscape, travel and home. SAT 14 APR 2PM, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE, FREE TICKET
DESERT ISLAND POEMS
WITH PHIL DUNKERLEY Phil Dunkerley will be sharing his favourite poems complete with their interesting backstories
a la BBC Radio 2’s Desert Island Discs. Phil, a retired geologist, chairs the Stamford Poetry Stanza group, affiliated to the Poetry Society and is a regular Pint of Poetry feature. SAT 14 APR 2.30PM, STAMFORD LIBRARY, FREE EVENT
RAIN DANCE 12
A POETRY SHOW ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, BURNOUT AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Through poems and storytelling Chris Martin (not that one) and Mike Alderson explore mental health. Both Mike and Chris are stand-up poets. Chris is based in the Midlands, whose often irreverent work has been used in both GCSE textbooks and pub arguments. Mike is a feminist who doesn’t like Feminism who says he’s ‘a few syllables away from prison’. SAT 14 APR 5PM, CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE, FREE TICKET
ROGER MCGOUGH & LiTTLe MACHiNe
www.little-machine.com
Supported by local poet, Camilla McLean Hilarious and surreal, McGough is a poet of Liverpool. Formed in 2009 LiTTLe MACHiNe many voices. Menace and melancholy there may are the ‘must have’ act at Literary Festivals be, but with plenty of McGough’s characteristic from York to Dubai. Drawing on three thousand wit and wordplay too. His latest book It Never years of poetry they set classic poems to Rains is a collection of new verses with drawings music and perform them with energy, passion by the author. President of the Poetry Society, and humour. Music that moves the feet for he has been honoured with a CBE for services words that move the soul! to literature and the Freedom of the City of CAMILLA MCLEAN is a local poet who took the local scene by storm as the 2016/17 Stamford ‘What a night. Roger and Little Machine Arts Centre Poet Laureate; a key player in stormed it’ Bewdley Festival bringing the Stamford Poetry Stone to fruition. ‘The patron saint of poetry’ She will be performing from her recent work, ‘Body Parts: a naked appreciation of the Carol Ann Duffy ‘He is a true original and more than one human body in verse’. generation would be much the poorer without him’ The Times When SATURDAY 14 APRIL 7.30PM Tickets £15 (£14) Venue BALLROOM, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
Don’t miss Roger McGough at Walkers Bookshop, Sat 14 Apr 4PM
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•FRINGE•SUNDAY 15 APRIL•FRINGE•
THE CELLAR BAR UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
WE’RE EXCITED TO BE THE HUB FOR VERSE 2018! REGULARLY OPEN MON-SAT FROM 7PM
PROSECCO AND POETRY WITH 2017/18 POET LAUREATE EMMA CUDDEFORD AND FRIENDS
SUN 15 APR 1.30PM,STAMFORD WINE BAR, £5
AFTERNOON TEA WITH LOCAL POETS
Join Stamford Poets Laureate, old and new, for an afternoon of tea, cake and poetry! SUN 15 APR 3PM, GALLERY, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE, £5 INC TEA & CAKE
END OF FESTIVAL OPEN MIC
The festival’s finale culminates in a sure-to-be popular open mic in the Cellar Bar. Bring your own poetry (or someone elses) to read aloud to an appreciative crowd. Or, if you’re not into standing up in front of soon-to-be friends, take a seat in our comfortable bar, sample some of the best wines, local guest real ales, tea, coffee or a soft-drink and enjoy the poetic musings of some top-notch poets! SUN 15 APR 9PM, CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE, FREE EVENT 14
POETRY, MISADVENTURES AND JAZZ
‘IN ALL MY HOLY MOUNTAIN’
A CELEBRATION IN POETRY AND JAZZ OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF MARY WEBB
Roger Garfitt reads from his memoir ‘The Horseman’s Word’ and gives a live performance of ‘In All My Holy Mountain’, a celelbraton of the life and work of Mary Webb. In a memoir as vivid and unpredictable as any novel, Roger Garfitt takes us into his confidence as he tries on different selves, from stable boy to jazz dancer, from Oxford dandy to Sixties drop-out. We see him on horseback with the Riding Master to the Kings of Portugal and in a beatnik pad with Redmond O’Hanlon. ‘A superb achievement’ The Guardian ‘Powerful poetry laced with jazz’ Jazz critic, John Fordham When SUNDAY 15 APRIL 7.30PM Tickets £8 (£7) Venue THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
Roger Garfitt
FREE GLASS OF WINE/SELECTED SOFT DRINK AT END OF FESTIVAL OPEN MIC IN THE CELLAR BAR WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR TICKET
In the opening set, TERESA MCCLEAN, Stamford’s second Poet Laureate, will give us word pictures of what we can’t actually see.
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EVENTS DIARY TUE 10 APR 8PM
27 ST MARY’S STREET STAMFORD PE9 2DL BOX OFFICE 01780 763203 WWW.STAMFORDARTSCENTRE.COM
POET LAUREATE FINAL, THE CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
WED 11 APR 11.30AM & 2.30PM FAIRYTALES GONE BAD, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE WED 11 APR 5PM LEMN SISSAY MASTERCLASS, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE WED 11 APR 5PM CHILDREN’S POETRY COMPETITION PRIZE GIVING, POETRY STONE WED 11 APR 7.30PM LEMN SISSAY PRESENTS ‘SOMETHING DARK’, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE WED 11 APR 9PM BILLY PILGRIM - POETRY & MUSIC, THE CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE THU 12 APR 11AM-12PM LYNDA GREENE, STAMFORD LIBRARY THU 12 APR 2PM LYNDA GREENE, WALKERS BOOKSHOPS THU 12 APR 6PM FRENCH WINE AND POETRY, STAMFORD WINE BAR THU 12 APR 7.30PM DYLAN THOMAS’ CLOWN IN THE MOON W/ SUPPORT, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE THU 12 APR 9.30PM BILL TAYLOR PRESENTS ‘TOPICAL POETRY’, CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE FRI 13 APR 11AM FRI 13 APR 11AM-12.30PM FRI 13 APR 2PM FRI 13 APR 6.30PM FRI 13 APR 7.30PM FRI 13 APR 9PM
DESERT ISLAND POEMS W/ RICHARD BARTER, WALKERS BOOKSHOP POETRY FUN SHOP W/ DARREN RAWNSLEY, STAMFORD LIBRARY ASH DICKINSON’S SLAM POETRY WORKSHOP, BALLROOM, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE POETRY PUB CRAWL WITH PETE COX, MEET AT THE ARTS CENTRE GRACE SAVAGE WITH ADI SMALLS, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE DIRTY POETRY, THE CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
SAT 14 APR 12PM SAT 14 APR 2PM SAT 14 APR 2.30PM SAT 14 APR 4PM SAT 14 APR 5PM SAT 14 APR 7.30PM
GINKO (HAIKU WALK) & WORKSHOP, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE HEXAMETER SHOW, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE DESERT ISLAND POEMS, LIBRARY ROGER MCGOUGH AT WALKERS BOOKSHOP, STAMFORD RAIN DANCE SHOW W/ MIKE ALDERSON & CHRIS MARTIN, THE CELLAR BAR, ARTS CENTRE ROGER MCGOUGH & LITTLE MACHINE W/ SUPPORT, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
SUN 15 APR 1.30PM SUN 15 APR 3PM SUN 15 APR 7.30PM SUN 15 APR 9PM
PROSECCO & POETRY WITH EMMA CUDDEFORD, STAMFORD WINE BAR AFTERNOON TEA WITH LOCAL POETS, GALLERY STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE IN ALL MY HOLY MOUNTAIN W/ SUPPORT, THEATRE, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE END OF FESTIVAL OPEN MIC, THE CELLAR BAR, STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
Tickets can be booked through Stamford Arts Centre box office by ringing 01780 763203, at stamfordartscentre.com or in person. Tickets are non-refundable, but Arts Centre Credit may be available for future purchases if we receive your tickets for exchange and successfully resell them, minus a £1 exchange fee. Tickets can be posted to UK addresses for 99p, or collected from Stamford Arts Centre Box Office prior to events. The listed discount will be applied equally across the same number of tickets for three or more Verse 2018 events (does not include free events). Concessions are priced in brackets where applicable. Parking is available at Wharf Road, Cattle Market, Bath Row and St Leonard’s Street car parks. All parking is free after 6pm. There is parking for disabled badge holders close to the Arts Centre in St Mary’s Street and St Geroge’s Square.