Ancient stories brought to life by Teesside academic and poet

Teesside creative writing academic and internationally renowned poet Bob Beagrie traces the myths surrounding ancient legends in his latest book.

Bob has worked with fellow poet Jane Burn on This Game of Strangers, which is a reworking and exploration of the Lancelot and Gwynnevere medieval legends.

Published by Wyrd Harvest Press, the book investigates the issues of identity, gender, nationalism and appropriation of myth through a series of poems which examine the relationship between Lancelot and Gwynnevere through medieval and modern eyes.

Bob said: 'The book is a poetic dialogue between two poets, a dialogue between Lancelot and Gwynnevere and also a dialogue between myth and our contemporary society. Some of the poems are recast in the modern world and others are set in the mythical and historical realms.

'It draws on the many different versions of the Arthurian legends, some of which are very dark indeed. In previous versions Gwynnevere is a largely passive, voiceless character, but here she is given a voice which questions her position and resists the gendered stereotypes.'

This collaboration of two poets displays each of their own distinctive style, with the poems juxtaposing the ancient and present day, with modern-day references and different viewpoints to the same event.

Meanwhile, the historic and atmospheric grounds of Gisborough Priory will provide the dramatic backdrop for a live summer performance of Bob’s epic poem Leasungspell as part of a national tour supported by Arts Council England.

The performance on Friday 30 June, from 7.00 to 8.00pm, is based on Leasungspell, an epic poem set in 657AD which describes the journey of a monk walking from the monastery on the Hartlepool Headland to Whitby, carrying secret letters from St Hilda.

Bob's poem, which draws upon local myth and legend and is steeped in the history of the region, is written in a hybrid of Old English and Northern dialect forms.

He has worked with musicians Sara Dennis, Peter Lagan, Kev Howard and Stewart Forth to create a haunting and enchanting soundscape for the poetic story, which recounts the fateful tale of Brother Oswin’s ancient journey from Hartlepool to Whitby.

The national tour of Leasungspell, which is gaining both critical and popular acclaim, has already included performances at The British Museum, St Andrews International Poetry Festival and Wolverhampton Poetry Festival, with dates arranged at Bamburgh Castle, The Castle Keep in Newcastle, Bristol Poetry Festival and Whitby later this year.

Commenting on the Gisborough Priory show, Bob said: 'We are delighted to have the chance to perform this unique show within the ruins of the ancient priory, in a setting so steeped in history.'

Advance tickets, priced £5.00 and £4.00 concessions, are available from Gisborough Priory visitors centre.

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