New adaptations of classic poems by acclaimed theatre company.
A new theatre production is giving voice to some of the world’s best poets by taking their words onto the stage.
In Beyond the Water’s Edge: Poetry from our World, contemporary poems from around the world are performed on stage by three actor-musicians, with original music composed by the company.
With writing drawn from every continent, this is a production packed with stories that move and inspire. The human drama of love, loss and re-birth sits alongside the comedy of daily life in a captivating series of portraits, presented through the words of some of the world’s best poets.
Beyond the Water’s Edge features writing from dozens of countries, from Chile to Estonia and all points between.Well-known poets whose work features in the production include the Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2011, and the celebrated German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht.
However many of the writers are not often heard or performed in the UK – and some have even experienced censorship in their country of origin. Romanian poet Marin Sorescu managed to write beautifully witty poems despite living at a time when his country regularly persecuted writers. Some writers give the human experience of migration and asylum,in particular from the Middle East and Africa.
Jonathan Davidson, Executive Producer, explained: “Poetry is becoming an increasingly important way for us to speak about our times. The poems in this production offer us life with all its joys and challenges – there are poems to make us laugh and poems to make us reflect. Laced together with original music from our three performers, this will be an extraordinary experience for anyone who loves poetry or live theatre.”
Directed by Steve Byrne from Interplay Theatre, Beyond the Water’s Edge uses poems published by Bloodaxe Books with original music by the company and set design by Talking Birds. Beyond the Water’s Edge is performed by Jill Dowse, Dan McGarry and Nate Ryan.
This brand new poetry-in-performance show comes to Artrix on Monday 10th July. Tickets are £12 (£10 concessions) and are available to book online at www.artrix.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01527 577 330.
Pic: Graeme Braidwood
