Wed 8th May: On Contemplation of Mortality
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Criterion production of 'Meet Me at the Nightingale' by Andrew Sharpe originally scheduled for this evening has had to be withdrawn from the programme.
7.30pm - We Are Poetry Nation
A collation of Cov poets and word-crafters, curated and corralled by Emilie Lauren Jones and Alison Manning, combining to create a community of questioning creatives. Different voices tell disparate, desperate tales, born from the smouldering ruins of the Cathedral, and growing up fast in war time, to the legacy of the cold war; beware the dream of perfection. Hear of the rain-stained roadside paeans, to lost human beings, whilst sipping soup for the soul. For Iife is an irony, a paradox intertwining illusion with reality, and big brains, hold the court. Love can’t be brought!
8.05pm - Amit Datani
Amit Dattani is a singer songwriter known for his unique brand of roots-driven guitar and striking lyrical originality. Behind his raconteur spirit lies superb musicianship, nimble finger-picking and a versatility which has garnered a strong reputation on the live circuit, with over ten years performing across the UK and Europe under his belt.
His wry lyrics, mellifluous guitar and warm vocals come to the fore with his most recent release, Santiago - a collection of stripped back songs with just guitar and voice, garnering attention from the likes of Americana UK and fRoots, radio play on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 and a nomination for 'Best Folk Act' from the BMA Awards.
Amit has shared the stage with the likes of Charlie Parr, John Smith, Blind Boy Paxton, Willy Vlautin, Kathryn Williams and Mark Morris
9.10pm - Honey and Salt by Zsofia Hacsek
Director Karen Evans
Honey and Salt is a short character sketch, a sort of love triangle between overwhelmed Wife, epileptic Dog, and stroke-affected Husband. How does life taste when you have to relearn things, redefine roles, and live with unevenly distributed responsibility in your family? Zsófia Hacsek has been the author of prose, poetry, journalistic and academic pieces, and a novel, but this is her first flash drama to escape her drawer and meet the audience."
9.15pm - Neslihan Ozar - Poet
9.20pm - Grace by Dean Sheridan
Director Dean Sheridan
THEN: Eighteen years ago Grace made a choice, chose the iron certainty of her Catholic faith over her love of her wayward daughter, since bitterly regretting taking that path.
NOW: Presented with the spiky bundle of white hot fury in a chasm of need that is her orphaned granddaughter, Grace must choose again. Should she cling on to the last of the moral high ground, or abandon the remains of her everlasting soul to face the desperate need of what’s left of her family? A stunning morality fable from local writer and company member Dean Sheridan, who directs his own work.