Your chance to hear performance poetry, insights and stories from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage in his home town.
Simon will read from several of his poetry books which include Magnetic Field: the Marsden Poems, two recent illustrated Sunday Times bestsellers, Blossomise and Dwell, and New Cemetery, a highly imaginative and wide-ranging major new collection in which the Poet Laureate makes peace with the dead. He will also read new unpublished poems.
The hour-long performance will include an audience Q&A and will be followed by a book signing.
Simon Armitage was born and grew up in Marsden, West Yorkshire. His numerous prizes and awards include the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry and an Ivor Novello Award for his song writing. He has published over a dozen poetry collections, including Magnetic Field: the Marsden Poems and two illustrated Sunday Times bestsellers, Blossomise and Dwell. His latest major poetry book New Cemetery is out now. A regular broadcaster, who also writes for television and radio, Armitage presented the popular BBC Radio 4 series The Poet Laureate has Gone to his Shed. His brand new podcast series The Shed is available now on Apple, Amazon, Podbean and Spotify.
Armitage also writes, records and tours with the band LYR. Last summer LYR performed their commission with Ulster Orchestra for the Proms: 100 years of the Shipping Forecast. His book Never Good with Horses features his song lyrics and celebrates his ear for the music of language. An award-winning dramatist, his plays The Last Days of Troy and a contemporary spin on Hansel and Gretel were performed at Shakespeare’s Globe. He is also the author of two novels and three memoir bestsellers: All Points North, Walking Home and Walking Away.
Armitage is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. A Vertical Art brings together the vibrant and engaging lectures from his tenure as Oxford Professor of Poetry (2015-2019). He was appointed Poet Laureate in 2019.
Photo © Paul Stuart Photography Ltd
Sunday 17 May
7pm-8pm
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield HD1 2SP
£22 (£20 conc)
Age guidance: 14+ (U16s should be accompanied by an adult)
Access Guide: https://www.accessable.co.uk/huddersfield-literature-festival/access-guides/lawrence-batley-theatre
Please note: booking for this event is via the Lawrence Batley Theatre box office: 01484 430528; [email protected]; https://www.thelbt.org/
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