Helen Calcutt heading to Cheltenham Poetry Festival

Rising poetic talent Helen Calcutt is due to perform at this years’ Cheltenham Poetry Festival, which runs from 19th to 22nd April.

The festival offers visitors the chance to enjoy intimate readings with acclaimed poets in ambient settings, cabaret nights with stand-up poets and travelling stage plays.

Helen will be reading works from her debut collection due for publication next year.  Other readers at the festival include novelist and television presenter Owen Sheers, poets Helen Mort, Penelope Shuttle, Martin Figura, Helen Ivory, Luke Kennard, Charles Tomlinson, Philip Rush and Matthew Barton.

Described as ‘distinctive and uncompromising’ by Perdika Press, London and ‘illuminating’ by highly acclaimed poet Glyn Hughes,  Birmingham-based Helen, who was born in the industrial Black Country, promises to provoke, engage and move the listener.

Her performance ‘Voices’ will support the beautiful music of vocalist and flautist Debra Hannis.

Festival director Anna Saunders said: “Helen will be part of a programme which also includes acclaimed poet Penelope Shuttle, Hip-hop star Dizraeli, comedian Monkey Poet, Luke Kennard, slam-champs Ash Dickinson and Jack Dean’s graphic comic show Under Stokes Croft and 90 other poets, comedians and musicians.

“I am really looking forward to hearing Helen read. This is a wonderful chance to see a new and exciting voice in poetry.”

Helen’s website is http://www.helencalcutt.com

For more information on the festival, see:

http://www.cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk/events.php