Glastonbury Festival - Poetry and Speakers

Poetry&Words Tent

1. POETRY&WORDS - INTRO

For poetry in motion & words in performance, head for the
Poetry&Words Tent in Green Futures up in the Green Fields.

Way back before there was a whole tentload of Poetry&Words at Glastonbury, PVT West, Dennis Gould and other itinerant Riff Raff Poets used to wander the festival creating audiences where they could, and often attracting huge crowds.

In 1992, the Poets first had their own Tent, a humble yurt in a far flung corner of the Green Fields. Always pioneering, and ever-willing to offer a platform for newcomers and new experiences for audiences, in 1994 the Poets Tent hosted one of Britain's first ever poetry Slams - now a regular Sunday afternoon event, ever exciting and unpredictable, a crowd-pleasing competition with the winner decided by the audience.

Poetry&Words has offered a platform to established performers such as Attila the Stockbroker, Peter Finch and Patience Agbabi, and to some who went on to become big names in the world of the spoken word, among them MC Jabber and Gaia Holmes.

Our 2003 poets are working within four groups, each taking the stage for up to two hours at a time: The Comeback All-Stars; The Bards of Bath; The Lords of Misrule and The Brightside. Meanwhile, outside and beyond the Poetry&Words Tent, you can join Joseph Marinus, poem-man of London Town, meet the wandering Sandwich Bard (Stop Him and Hear One), or engage with Brighton's Fridge Poetry Collective.

2. POETRY&WORDS - ABOUT THE POETS

the Comeback Allstars:
PVT West herself - organiser of this festival venue
Luke Wright - Slam Winner 2002
Rachel Pantechnicon - a surreal blend of Sham 69 and Patience Strong
Sue Hamblen - funny tales from Wales
Annie McGann - defies descriptions such as "punk poet" and "Gothic floozie"
Heather Taylor - darkly comic snapshots from life

the Bards of Bath
Brendan Georgeson - punchy pop poet
Kevan Manwaring - nature inspired
Julian Landau - in the nonsense tradition
Ebon Bouri - poetry stories in a lyrical style
Jo Butts - surrealism & humour
Pete Hunter - deadpan dry humour

the Lords of Misrule
SV Wolfland - she of enthralling myths
Farren Gainer - satire, rhyme & mime
Matt Harvey - surreal humour
Nii Parkes - poemsongs of love & pain
Re:Leaf (Carl Cracknell & Neville Mansfield) - dj poets with attitude
Marie Stansbury - a heartweave through the ocean of emotion

the Brightside
Rob Gee - founder of the biggest poetry cabaret in central England
Jenny Lindsay - winner of the Tap Water poetry award Edinburgh 2002
Lindsey Warnes - sexy, honest & a little bit soppy
Mairi Campbell-Jack - uncontrollable newcomer
Steve Carroll - an old stager on a mission
The Dalai - "a cross between Eminem and Spike Milligan"

3. POETRY&WORDS - GLASTONBURY 2003 PROGRAMME

Friday
10am the Bards of Bath
12noon the Lords of Misrule
2pm the Comeback Allstars
4pm the Brightside
6pm Close

Saturday
10am the Brightside
11.40am Luke Wright
11.55am Rachel Pantechnicon
12.10pm Women's Time, including women's open mic
2.10pm Helen Thomas
2.25pm The Reverend
2.40pm the Bards of Bath
4.20pm the Lords of Misrule
6pm Close

Sunday
10am the Comeback Allstars
10.45am the Brightside
11.30am the Lords of Misrule
12.15pm the Bards of Bath
1pm SLAM! You get to choose the champion!
2.30pm Close

* each group will host some open mic performers during their time slots

Also look out for:
* Brighton's Fridge Poetry Collective
* Joseph Marinus - poem seller
* the wandering Sandwich Bard (Stop Him and Hear One)
* the poetry bookshop

4. POETRY&WORDS - FAQs

1. When can I read my own poetry at the Poetry&Words Tent?

Every day, each of the groups includes an Open Mic slot (usually no more than two poems or 3-5 minutes per performer). Just wait your turn and volunteer.

2. When is that fantastic poet going to be on again, so I can tell all my mates to come and see him/ her/ it?

Just check out the poster board outside the tent to see when that poet's group is on again. This year the poets are working in four
groups, each with a session every day.

3. Where can I buy a copy of my favourite poet's work?

Those who have books, pamphlets or CDs will be selling them in the poetry bookshop nearby for a while after they come off stage.

4. Why is there a separate Women's Time on Saturday?

It's been a tradition since the beginning of this Poetry&Words event. It's very popular - lots of women join us for this time and the tent takes on a special atmosphere with so much uninterrupted work by women. Much of the music at Glastonbury is played by men, and this
two hour slot offers an oasis in the midst of all that. And organiser PVT West has been an active feminist since 1969!

5. Why is there no music in Poetry&Words?

This tent is an oasis for the unaccompanied voice. So if you've OD'd on music elsewhere in the festival, chill out with us! You might be surprised how one person with their words alone can hold a whole tent enraptured.

Poetry&Words Tent

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