Past Poets
Piloted in 2005 as Dead Poets Sessions, these events have proved hugely popular. The Past & Present series generally features two poets (appearing in their own right elsewhere in the festival) in discussion with chairman Colin Will. Each talks about a nominated poet from the past, touching on their enthusiasm for the work and any personal connections, ending with a short reading. Poets of the past are also present in other ways during the festival: in performances, on film and as illustrations in workshops. This year they were also met with on the Poetry Walk round St Andrews.
Thu 13 March | Poetry Walk
Led by Jim Carruth
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Theatre Garden
Thu 13 March | Past & Present
James Thomson (B V): Tom Leonard; William Blake: Adrian Mitchell; Chair: Colin Will
The Town Hall, Queens Gardens – Council Chamber
Fri 14 March | Past & Present
T S Eliot: Annie Freud; Edward Lear: Janice Galloway; Chair: Colin Will
The Town Hall, Queens Gardens – Council Chamber
Fri 14 March | In Concert: The Poems of Federico Garcia Lorca
Keith James (guitar, vocals) & Rick Foot (double bass)
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Auditorium
Sat 15 March | Past & Present
Raymond Carver: Tess Gallagher; H D (Hilda Dolittle): Penelope Shuttle; Chair: Colin Will
The Town Hall, Queens Gardens – Council Chamber
Sun 16 March | Past & Present
Basil Bunting: August Kleinzahler & Chris Jones; Chair: Colin Will
The Town Hall, Queens Gardens – Council Chamber
Sun 16 March | Poetry Film
Wholly Communion by Peter Whitehead featuring Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Adrian Mitchell, Alexander Trocchi and many more
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre