The Poetry Society

What was On

National Poetry Day Live!

Join the Poetry Society and Southbank Centre for a star-studded afternoon at National Poetry Day Live 2012, with free readings from some of the most exciting poets and spoken words artists in the UK. Everyone welcome!

In keeping with National Poetry Day’s theme of ‘Stars’ you can join Inua Ellams’ intergalactic Twitter poem, be offered a cosmic cure for a broken heart by the Poetry Library doctors, or star gaze from one of the poetry tents popping up along the South Bank, inspired by Peace Camp, Deborah Warner’s UK-wide poetry project commissioned for London 2012 Festival.

Thursday 4th October 1–6pm, Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall.

An afternoon of events compered by Poetry Society President Roger McGough

1pm – 2.15pm

Ira Lightman and school students involved in Artichoke’s Peace Camp project take to the stage. They are followed by well-loved poets Roger McGough, Grace Nichols and Rachel Rooney.

2.30pm – 4.15pm

Breaking the sound barrier, we showcase some of best up and coming spoken word artists to be discovered by the Poetry Society over the past ten years: former winners of the SLAMbassadors UK championship Jamal Msebele and Megan Beech perform alongside slam superstar Joelle Taylor. Judges of the Poetry Society’s Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2012, Christopher Reid and Helen Mort, read alongside former winners Charlotte Higgins and Sarah Howe.

4.30pm – 6pm

The UK's leading poetry magazine, Poetry Review achieves escape velocity, with readings from the latest issue by Karen McCarthy Woolf, Liane Strauss and Dannie Abse, one of the century’s most important Welsh writers. Simon Barraclough shares his love of the solar system alongside Mario Petrucci, writer of the script for the world’s largest 3D soundscape. Joining them is punk poet John Cooper Clarke.

Also, don’t miss:

Over 400 secondary students from all over the UK have produced InTents, inspired by Peace Camp. Their poems and artworks are embroidered, cross-stitched, and etched onto a dozen tents which will pop up along the South Bank on National Poetry Day. Pick up your map from Southbank Centre.

Poetryclass resources for National Poetry Day

To help teachers mark National Poetry Day in the classroom, the Poetry Society has specially-commissioned two resources for National Poetry Day 2012. These star-themed lesson plans are by Grace Nichols (resource for key stage 2) and Nicholas Roe (resource for key stage 4). Visit Poetryclass for these and a host of other lesson plans.