Poetry at Teesside

A new series of poetry events is about to be unveiled at Teesside University, featuring some of the best names in contemporary poetry.

The University has teamed up with independent publishers Ek Zuban and Smokestack Books to host the readings as part of a regular series of poetry events.

Among poets due to take part is award-winning Scottish actress, director, writer and university academic Gerda Stevenson, who has been described as Scotland's finest actress, having appeared in many plays and films. Her first collection of poetry If This Were Real was published by Smokestack. She will be at The Curve, T2.07 from 5.00pm to 6.00pm on Thursday 11 February.

Paul Summers returns from a four-year stay in Australia to read his work about living under strange stars and learning the language of sunlight. Paul has written extensively for TV, film, radio and the theatre. He will be at The Curve, TG.03 from 5.00pm to 6.00pm on Thursday 17 March. Admission free.

Tony Harrison is arguably one of the most important poets writing in English today. The author of From the School of Eloquence, A Kumquat for John Keats and Laureate's Block, he has translated Racine, Moliere, Aristophanes, Hugo, Aeschylus and Sophocles for the National Theatre and written pioneering film-poems. His many awards include the European Prize for Literature and the 2014 European Poetry Prize. He will be at the Centuria, H0.01 from 6.00pm to 7.00pm on Friday 15 April. Admission £6 and £4.

Paisley poet Graham Fulton, who has published over forty books and pamphlets of poetry, will be reading from his two Smokestack collections; Open Plan and One Day in the Life of Jimmy Denisovich. He will be at The Curve, T2.07 from 5.00pm to 6.00pm on Thursday 12 May.

Jill Morgan, Dean of the School of Arts & Media, said: 'We are delighted to be collaborating in hosting these poetry readings, welcoming some of the most significant names in contemporary poetry to the University.

'Poetry offers a creative space which can help us re-think our experiences of the world and for different conversations to take place.'

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