In collaboration with St Paul’s Cathedral, Poet in the City commissioned five contemporary poets to lift the lid on a cultural giant, reimagining its history and its place in the public imagination, in order to reconnect modern Londoners with the Cathedral.
The event was hosted by Laurie Bolger, a stand-up poet and presenter for the Roundhouse, Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Bang Said the Gun.
Poets:
Patience Agbabi is author of four books, and her contemporary version of The Canterbury Tales, Telling Tales was published in 2014. Patience’s new commission is Rise Up.
Anthony Anaxagorou has published eight volumes of poetry, most recently Heterogenous, and founded the Out-Spoken live music and poetry night. Anthony’s new commission is The Nurse, the Admiral, and the Duke.
Inua Ellams has published three pamphlets of poetry, staged his plays at the National Theatre, and is the founder of the Midnight Run, a nocturnal urban excursion. Inua’s new commission is First to Last Watch.
Kei Miller is a Jamaican poet, fiction writer, essayist and blogger. In 2014 he won the Forward Prize for his collection The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way To Zion. Kei’s new commission is In the Whispering Gallery.
Deanna Rodger is the youngest UK Poetry Slam Champion and has performed commissions everywhere, from Buckingham Palace to the Olympic opening ceremony. Deanna’s new commission is Reconstruction.