Audio: half-term festival of words for Southampton

SOtospeak Steering groupPoetry, fiction, song and theatre will fill the air during SO: To Speak, Southampton's first festival of words from October 23. We bring you more details, as well as recordings of city poet Angela Chicken to mark the event.

 

so to speak progTaking place over half term between October 23 and November 1, SO: To Speak’s programme offers a diverse mix of poetry, readings, comedy nights, music, creative workshops, theatre and more, at venues across Southampton.

Events and speakers include Philip Hoare, Ali Sparkes, Tales of Southampton – telling the legend of Bevis, CSI Southampton, and a celebration of the Spitfire at the Solent Sky Museum with poet Matt West and the Spitfire Sisters.

Angela Chicken 460Use the player below or click to hear Angela Chicken, left, reading her poem 'Glide' in a city park.

Angela will be co-hosting a poetry workshop for women during SO: To Speak – details below article, or click to jump to workshop details.


Further events have been announced which include Southampton’s first Persian Festival celebrating poetry, music and film, an all-day line up of top poets and local musical maestros at the Dancing Man Brewery, and Words in the City – a host of free events in the city centre on October 25 to get So get SO: To Speak underway.

Meanwhile, local arts organisation ‘element arts’ will be introducing ‘Transported’, a series of unique art installations and performances within shipping containers in Guildhall Square. Working in collaboration with Williams Shipping, the shipping container village will be open throughout the festival.

Use the player below there's a fault with the player so please click to hear Angela Chicken reading her poem 'North Baddesley' [opens new window].


Shakespeare in a Car Park

Charlie Hislop, of Southampton Festivals and co-founder of SO: To Speak, said: “We are hugely excited to show everybody what we have been working on over these last months. There is such a dynamic programme on offer, from Amanda Prowse to Shakespeare in a Car Park, that there really is something for everyone. We hope that SO: To Speak will help show what a vibrant and creative city Southampton really is.”

Matt West

Matt West, left, of Artful Scribe, added: “SO: To Speak will be a fantastic celebration of Southampton’s creative scene and also offer a great chance for people to try their hand at writing or performing. Over the ten days there are events going on all day, every day, so I would urge anyone who is curious to get involved and go to the events that catch their eye. We look forward to seeing you there!”

For further information click here, and to purchase tickets, call the Mayflower Box Office on 02380 711811.

Main picture: SO: To Speak steering group

Photo of Angela Chicken performing at Jawdance courtesy Nina McDonagh/Apples and Snakes

• Southampton poets Angela Chicken and Anna Carr host a free poetry workshop 'High Tea & Poetry' for women during the festival on October 26 at Stagedoor from 2-4pm. Tickets from Eventbrite click to book.

 Poetry recordings and poems: © All rights reserved respective copyright owners

SOtospeak Steering group

 

We're not currently accepting new comments on this site

We're reader powered! Please help us keep publishing today...

Our local news is currently free to view, but not to produce. Join people just like you who already chip in to keep our site going by becoming a 'Good Friend' supporter for just £2.99 a month - or more if you can.

Use the subscribe button below using a debit or credit card securely via PayPal. You don't need a PayPal account - just use the "Pay with Debit or Credit Card' option, when you click the 'Subscribe' button below, on the next screen. There's no obligation to open a PayPal account. Or use your existing PayPal account if you prefer. Or even better, contact us to set up a standing order so we get all your sub rather than PayPal taking a percentage.

Click here for other options/to set up a standing order - and help us keep on keeping on.

It's appreciated!

Subcription Options

 

Alternatively make a one-off donation here - you don't need a PayPal account for this option either.