“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde
This event is based on a collection of poetry entitled Poems for a World Gone to Sh*t - poems will be read by actor Adjoa Andoh, interspersed with songs from a range of composers from Howells and Schubert to Eva Cassidy and Laura Marling, performed by James Newby and Joseph Middleton.
Baritone James Newby says ‘As I read these vital and emotive poems, I realised that they resonated with me in the same way as the songs I was performing. Songs from today, as well as songs from a past era, have always provided the ideal vehicle to express our feelings and explore our emotions. There’s plenty in the world that we aren’t in control of – we are constantly surrounded by news of atrocities and suffering. The poems in this collection articulate those feelings of despair, frustration, loss, anger, but also reminds us that for all the ‘sh*t’ in the world, there is always beauty and joy to be found.
I’d love it if people left this recital having had even the tiniest shift, a new way of looking at something, a conscious gratitude, or even a melody that articulates better than words some sadness or joy. For me, that’s what I try to achieve every time I stand on stage, and that’s what makes art, in every form, so relevant to society today.’
Poetry will be read by actor, writer and director Adjoa Andoh
James Newby ~ baritone
Joseph Middleton ~ piano
Adjoa Andoh ~ guest speaker
I. WHAT THE F**K?
Poulenc Sanglots
Shakespeare Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, (Macbeth)
Percy Grainger Willow, willow
Hollie Mcnish Soup Kitchens
Hans Eisler An den Kleinen Radioapparat, Der Sohn I und II
Philip Larkin This be the verse
II. GET ME THE F**K OUT OF HERE
Schubert Totengräbers Heimweh
Emily Dickinson A long – long sleep
Gurney Sleep
Gil Scott-Heron The Oldest Reason
Laura Marling What he wrote
Anon On a tired Housewife
III. KEEP YOUR SH*T TOGETHER
Copland Why do they shut me out of heaven?
Emily Dickinson I’m nobody! Who are you?
Katherine Mansfield The Earth-child in the grass
Strauss Ruhe, Meine Seele
Gurney The songs I had
Barber Sure on this Shining Night
IV. LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SH*T
Nikita Gill Ancestors
Dove All You who sleep tonight
Rudyard Kipling From if
Strauss Allerseelen
Maya Angelou Still I rise
Howells King David
Portia Nelson Autobiography in five chapters
V. LIFE IS STILL F*CKING BEAUTIFUL
Susan Coolidge New every morning
Schubert Hoffnung
Buxton Orr Shy Geordie
Edward Lear The Owl and the Pussycat
Wallen About Here
John Dryden Happy the Man
Eva Cassidy Fields of Gold
