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| Photo: Sally Bavage |
Thursday 7.30pm 20 March
Doug Sandle writes:
The Heart café with daffodils and night light candles
on every table was a cosy atmospheric venue for the annual headline guest
poetry event of the LitFest. A full house was introduced to Yorkshire poet John
Wedgwood Clarke and to the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke. As was
remarked – with a LitFest event still to come entitled A Pair of Sandles, we were not expecting also to feature a pair of
Clarkes! The event opened with our usual format of a five minute taster from each
of our guests –
of which Gillian joked that it would give an opportunity for the audience to decide
whether to stay or not – but of course after the taster session no-one left and
all remained for what was to be an enthralling and intensely evocative evening
from two poets whose respect for and craft with language and the expressive
intensity of their descriptive and metaphorical use of words was spell binding.
John’s work reflected his interest in sea swimming and
the relationship between swimmer and sea and his poetic exploration of the
coastal land and sea scape of the East Yorkshire coast. His careful reading enabled each word,
each pause and each phrase to echo with meaning to convey a basic human and yet
spiritual encounter with sea, shore and coast and an evocative expression of
both a specific and universal sense of place, and of its life and narratives.
Gillian read with an engaging easiness that lulled the
listener into an encounter that was an intense expression of her poetic
response to nature and landscape (especially that which was winter sharp and
ice cold), and the narratives, lives, and events they and their seasons framed.
Often intensely descriptive, her poetry’s sensuous and sensory imagery drew us
into the deeper resonances of their narratives revealing a very humane respect
for and love of life.
Audience Comments
1. Really good evening as ever – congratulations on organizing these
memorable evenings esp. getting Gillian Clarke at such short notice. Candles
and flowers, really good atmosphere.
2. Excellent.
3. Two fine poets. And HEART did it well.
4. A first-class event. Both poets were on top form. John Wedgwood Clarke’s
command of language is impressive and Gillian’s poetry is lovely, lyrical and
full of beautiful imagery.
5. Brilliant! These two poets complemented each other perfectly. A rare
opportunity to experience famous poets like Gillian Clarke in intimate
surroundings – small number audience.
6. There was a delightfully all-embracing atmosphere. Both poets were
outstanding as speakers (vocally) and as communicators. The overall
organisation of the event was superb.
7. Two very different poets. Inspirational, relaxing, &
stimulating. A really excellent evening.
8. Very entertaining and inspiring.
9. Good sound system!! Excellent poetry – clear reading!! Welcoming,
friendly venue!! Very good!!
10. Wonderful – but John Clarke was somewhat overshadowed.
11. I could listen to Gillian Clarke read and speak all day! I love the
format of anecdote and poem, as it (anecdote) adds an extra dimension to the
meaning of the poem. Carry on with the poetry please!
12. Really good evening – very inspiring.
13. Excellent evening. Terrific atmosphere created by these two poets.
Relaxed and without any kind of poetic pomp, they riveted the audience. Thanks
to Headingley LitFest for this event.
14. J.W.C. enjoyed poems. Would have liked 15 mins for questions to
learn more. G.C. – generous sharing of the back-stories of her poems. Gentle
humour. Wonderful poetry. More!
15. Thoroughly enjoyed both. A brief question and answer session with
each would have been great.
16. Such a privilege to be in the company of such an amazing woman.
17. John was a good choice for a Leeds audience – we recognised so much
of the area and empathized with his emotions. Gillian’s poetry was sensual and
almost mythical. An inspirational evening!
18. Really good quality poetry and well read, with two important poets.
Nicely compèred by Sheila and Doug, and the length of the evening was just
right.
19. I thought that both poets were very good and I particularly enjoyed
John’s coastal poetry.
20. Fab readings. (Fridges a bit noisy). Great opportunity to hear
memorable words.
21. Very special and evocative.
22. Nice balance between the two poets – good to have a regional voice
as well as a ‘national’ poet – both very good. Nice relaxed atmosphere – and
great that it cost only £6 – very good value.
23. A privilege to hear two poets of such quality in one evening. Well
done to the Headingley LitFest for getting them to read their work.
24. Delightful evening! What a privilege to hear Gillian Clarke – a real
coup for the LitFest to bring her to Leeds.
25. Enjoyed both poets very much. So evocative of place and memory. Made
me want to experience those places. I have experienced them through their words
26. 1. Lovely venue – warm, relaxing, comfortable with welcome
refreshments available. 2. Successful structure – nice introductions, and a
welcome interval. 3. Good speakers – Gillian Clarke was exceptional. I would
like to have a hug from her one day.
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