Forward book of poetry launched at Brick Lane on eve of prize night
The Forward book of poetry, which accompanies the annual prizegiving and contains the work of many illlustrious, commended poets as well as the shortlisted ones, was launched on Monday night at Rough Trade East in London’s Brick Lane, on the eve of the prize ceremony at the Southbank tonight.
In the book’s introduction the chair of judges, Jeanette Winterson, who this afternoon will sit down with her panel to decide on the winners, describes this year as “a powerful year for poetry”. After last night’s launch, with 10 shortlisted poets reading their work, Forward organiser Susannah Herbert, pictured, tweeted that she was “impressed, humbled, glad”.
Earlier in the day the London Evening Standard had suggested that poets were up in arms about the fact that actors would be reading their work at tonight’s glitzy prize event at the Southbank’s Purcell Room. This, the paper said, was a further blow to organisers, after the withdrawal of shortlisted poet CJ Allen under the weight of plagiarism allegations.
In truth, the reaction on social media from poets to the news that actors including Juliet Stevenson, Helen McCrory, Natascha McElhone, and David Soul would be reading their work has been 50-50, with many arguing that actors might well do the job better.
However, last night at the Rough Trade East record store, shortlisted poets Emily Berry, Marianne Burton, Steve Ely, Hannah Lowe, Adam White, Rebecca Goss, Glyn Maxwell, Sinead Morissey, Jacob Polley, and Michael Symmons Roberts read their work with charm, humour and grace. Irishman Adam White was a particularly impressive performer.
The compere for the evening was performance poet Mr Gee, who seemed a little uneasy about his role and somewhat in awe of the talent on display. But good on him for showing respect to such an accomplished bunch. And good luck to them all today. My tips? Rebecca Goss for best collection, and Hannah Lowe for best first collection. But what do I know?
Background: Countdown to Forward prizes glitz
Poet accused of plagiarism pulls out of Forward shortlist
