Over the last two months I have been collaborating with poet Andrew Mitchell, three dancers from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (recent graduate Rachel Fullegar, and current third years April-Louise-Davies and Ruth McNulty), and cellist Natalie Halliday, on a performance-presentation of the poem, The Burial of Lord Byron, by Andrew Mitchell.
‘A Byron Elegy’ will be performed on Wednesday 13th November, 1-2pm at Embrace Arts Centre, as part of the Literary Leicester Festival in association with Leicester’s Centre for New Writing.
The 300-line narrative poem The Burial of Lord Byron follows the story of Byron’s funeral, as witnessed by his close friends. Drawing on the recollections of John Hobhouse, John Clare, Mary Shelley, Samuel Coleridge and others, their memories gradually assemble an moving, impassioned portrait of Byron.
The dance and music has been devised specially for this interdisciplinary performance. Featuring composed and improvised elements, our contemporary idioms draw on the Scottish folk traditions of Byron’s heritage. The performance is accompanied by projected illustrations by Mary Kuper taken from the poem pamphlet. Hard copies of the poem will be available to purchase after the performance.
More information on the performance can be found here.
Full Literary Leicester PDF programme here.
Poetry/Reading/Scottish small pipes: Andrew Mitchell
Dance and Choreography: April Davies, Rachel Fullegar, Ruth McNulty (NSCD)
Composition and Cello: James Whittle
Cello: Natalie Halliday
Illustrations: Mary Kuper