Keats Festival 7-15 June 2014

Simon Russell Beale and Dame Eileen Atkins headline at Keats Festival

Two of the finest actors of their generation will share the stage at this year’s Keats Festival (7 to 15 June) to read a selection of the poet’s best-loved work.

Simon Russell Beale, currently playing the title role in Sam Mendes’ production of King Lear at the National Theatre, and Dame Eileen Atkins, whose film, stage and television credits include Gosford Park, Vanity Fair, Medea, A Delicate Balance, Cranford and Upstairs, Downstairs, will appear together at the ‘Spoken Keats’ event on 12 June.

During this year’s Festival, Keats House, the poet’s home in Hampstead from 1818 to 1820, will come alive with a wide range of events and activities - from writing workshops and new work from emerging talent to family days and a screening of Jane Campion’s award-winning film, Bright Star, starring Ben Whishaw as Keats. The Festival will also mark the hand-over of the House’s Poet-in-Residence from Jo Shapcott to Daljit Nagra, both of whom will run activities and events during the Festival.

Vicky Carroll, Principal Curator at Keats House, said:

“Two hundred years ago, John Keats found his voice and wrote his first poem, ‘Imitation of Spenser’. We have taken ‘Find Your Voice’ as the theme for the Festival and we hope that visitors to the House will find their own voice at one, or more, of the events. I am particularly delighted that Simon Russell Beale and Dame Eileen Atkins are lending their voices to our headline event, which will be a very popular and memorable evening. My colleagues and I have put together an exciting programme of events this year. As well as poetry, the Festival will feature film, dance, music and screenwriting, so there will be plenty to stimulate the senses and inspire writers of all ages and levels.”

Other highlights of Keats Festival include:

The Imagination Museum (7 June)
Allow us to introduce you to Mildred, Henry and Harriet, three eccentric tour guides who will bring Keats House (and its collection of historical artefacts) to life through words and movement. A twilight performance with poetry by Anna Selby and music by Max Perryment.

Screenwriting with James Ragan (13 June)
A workshop exploring plot, character and dialogue structure, as well as how to ‘backdrop’ a film. The goal is not only to learn how to write a film, but to ‘read’ any film on the screen. Professor Ragan has worked on several films, including The Godfather and The Deer Hunter.

Poetry surgery with Jo Shapcott (14 June)
Bring along a work in progress for feedback and advice from award-winning poet, Jo Shapcott. Suitable for all abilities, from beginners to experienced poets.

Family Day: Festival fun with Michael Rosen and Daljit Nagra (15 June)
Join us for a bumper Festival Family Day with poetry activities from former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, and the new Keats House Poet-in-Residence, Daljit Nagra. Presented with Poet in the City, this family event in the grounds of Keats House will be a feast for the imagination.