Keats Festival 7-15 June 2014

Two hundred years ago John Keats found his voice and wrote his first poem. Join us as we celebrate that moment at the 2014 Keats Festival.

Keats House will come alive with a whole range of events and activities for all ages, from writing workshops, new work from emerging talent and fun family days, to a poetry film night and celebrated actor Simon Russell Beale reading a selection of Keats’s poetry on 12 June.

The festival will also mark the hand-over in our poet-in-residence programme from Jo Shapcott to Daljit Nagra, both of whom will be running activities and events during the Festival.

Other Highlights

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.