SPOKEN WORD

SPOKEN WORD

'Spoken word' is poetry that's written to be performed and can be delivered in a variety of styles and can even involve collaboration and experimentation with other art forms, including music, theatre and dance. It can be used to tell stories or to explore the stories of others. Some spoken word artists even incorporate raps and hip hop beats into their work. The main way that they differ is that spoken word tends to be straight to the point, avoiding complicated metaphors in favour of stripped back lyrics.

Spoken word first kicked off with the American Beat Poet movement that took place in the 1940s and 1950s. This saw a group of authors in New York using their work to exploring and influence the culture of the time. Venting their frustrations with society, these poets started a tradition that has continued for many years, moving all the way up to today, where new social issues have brought upon a completely new era of spoken word.

In this Public Address Spoken Word special you’ll hear classical poems read by familiar voices mixed with newer material verbalised by newer voices all reflecting life and social issues over the years up to the present day. From Screenstage Studios, the performing arts project affiliated to Public Address.

Presented by Thom McKeown

The first four Spoken Word renditions are performed by the writers themselves:

1. AURORA Written and Read by MOLLY CASE
2. BALANCE Written and Read by KATE TEMPEST
3. HOOKED Written and Read by THOM MCKEOWN
4. BLUEBIRD Written and Read by CHARLES BUKOWSKI
5. TOMORROW HAS YOUR NAME ON IT Written and Read by ROGER MCGOUGH
6. A GROWN WOMAN CRYING Written by ALAN LEWIS and Read by ANN REID
7. CANOE Written by KEITH DOUGLAS and Read by CLIVE JAMES
8. THE LESSON Written and Read by THOM MCKEOWN
9. SPIRIT Written by THOM MCKEOWN and Read by MEGAN ROSE THOMAS
10. THE LAMB Written by WILLIAM BLAKE and Read by SIR RALPH RICHARDSON
11. IF Written by RUDYARD KIPLING and Read by SIR MICHAEL CAINE
12. STOP ALL THE CLOCKS Written by WH AUDEN and read by TOM HIDDLESTON
13. KILSHEENLAN BAY Written and Read by THOM MCKEOWN
14. OZMANDIAS Written by PERCY BYSHEE SHELLEY and Read by VINCENT PRICE
15. AFTERWARDS Written by THOM MCKEOWN and Read by REBECCA BURTON
16. INVICTUS Written by WILLIAM HENLEY and Read by MORGAN FREEMAN
17. DESIDERATA Written by MAX EHRMANN and Read by SHANE MORRIS
18. BLACKBERRY PICKING Written and Read by SEAMUS HEANEY
19. LOVE LETTER Written by VITA SACKVILLE WEST and Read by JUDY COMER
20. THE BOXER Written by GABRIELE TINTI and Read by KEVIN SPACEY
21. HENRY KING Written by HILAIRE BELLOC and read by TOM O'BEDLAM)
22. REMEMBERING MARIE Written by BERTOLD BRECHT and performed by DAVID BOWIE