Southbank Centre Literature & Spoken Word Events

Poetry of Unknown Words

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See five double-sided prints (shown recto and verso) in response to work by Gertrude Stein, HD, Mary Wollstonecraft, Emmy Hennings and Valerie Solanas.

This display is the first section of a collaborative project by Susan Johanknecht and Katharine Meynell entitled Poetry of Unknown Words.

Susan Johanknecht is proprietor of the Gefn Press. She had a retrospective at the University of Vermont in 2007 and is Subject Leader of MA Book Arts at Camberwell College of Arts.

Katharine Meynell artists' books include 'It's inside' (Marion Boyars) and forthcoming 'Mutual Dependencies' (Artwords).

The pair has co-authored and co-edited several books and their work has been exhibited internationally, including at The British Library, Victoria & Albert Museum, The Dean Clough Galleries in Halifax and Mills College in California.

Their work together focuses on the overlaps between artwork and multiple publications, often bringing together an unusual combination of writers, poets, performance artists and forms.

Saison Poetry Library at Royal Festival Hall
Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 8pm

Start Date:

Friday 9 March 2012 - 11:00

End Date:

Friday 25 May 2012

Free

Poetry London: Spring Readings

Join us to celebrate the launch of the Spring 2012 issue of Poetry London, hosted by editor Colette Bryce and featuring the very best of new and established poets.

Poetry London readings have been a popular feature of the London literary calendar for over 20 years.

Please note - this free event requires a ticket. You can reserve your ticket online (£1.75 transaction fee) or by phone on 0844 847 9910 (£2.75 transaction fee). Transaction fees apply per transaction, not per ticket. You can also reserve your seat without a transaction fee by visiting one of our Southbank Centre Ticket Offices in person.

Start Date:

Thursday 15 March 2012 - 20:00

End Date:

Thursday 15 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Best Available

Mahfuz Mir Ali, Rowyda Amin, Nick Makoha and Shazea Quraishi

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Four poets read from their latest work in this special event to celebrate the TEN anthology. The poets' diverse backgrounds, with roots in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Uganda, are united through their craft - powerful and moving contemporary writing, which speaks of Britain today.

The event is hosted by Bernardine Evaristo.

'Sparkling new talents who demonstrate the richness, energy and confidence of the poetic voice in our multicultural country.' (Carol Ann Duffy)

In association with Spread The Word, Bloodaxe Books and The Books Project.

Start Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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Ahmed Rashid: Pakistan On the Brink

Focusing on the heart of the world's most unstable region, Pakistan on the brink examines the complex relationship between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the West.

With Bin Laden dead, and British and US forces beginning their withdrawal from Afghanistan, Ahmed Rashid explores the challenges - and the possibilities - of this geopolitical hub.

Ahmed Rashid has reported on Central Asia and the terrorist threat for 25 years, and his analysis attempts a long-term view of the region, carefully balancing historical precedent with the policies and strategies being implanted now.

Start Date:

Tuesday 17 April 2012 - 20:00

End Date:

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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Women of the World Introduction

Programme coordinator Domino Pateman discusses the ideas behind this exciting and thought-provoking festival as well as this year's line-up.

Start Date:

Tuesday 6 March 2012 - 18:30

End Date:

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Best Available

Facility Description:

Members' Bar - level 6

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Professor Amartya Sen and Lord Nicholas Stern in conversation, chaired by Rajeev Sethi

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From here, where? A future for cultural industries

An international provocation, this debate will set the tone for Southbank Centre's Alchemy festival, bringing together three outstanding figures from the worlds of economics, philosophy, design and entrepreneurialism.

This debate asks us to imagine what the world could look like with an approach to economics and society that encourages the empowerment of the cultural activities and industries. Can we preserve rural communities and their precious traditional skills in a fast-changing commercial environment?

World-renowned academic and Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen and Nicholas Stern, I.G. Patel Professor at the London School of Economics and former Chief Economist of the World Bank, are in lively debate with influential designer Rajeev Sethi, Director of JIYO, a cultural project transforming communities in India and featuring for the first time in the UK at Alchemy 2012.

The event includes the launch of JIYO's new website featuring a live link-up with Bihar in Northern India.

Start Date:

Friday 13 April 2012 - 19:00

End Date:

Friday 13 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£15 £10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Queen Elizabeth Hall

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Polari

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Patrick Gale leads the line-up, whose novels have built up a large and loyal following that delights in his subtle and heartfelt depiction of gay lives. His novels include Rough Music and Gentleman's Relish.

Polari showcases the compelling Sophia Blackwell, Nick Field, Will Davies, Deborah Levy and Justin Torres in completing the bill.

Start Date:

Tuesday 20 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£5

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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Nikola Madzirov and Daniele Pantano

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New European Poetry

Three of Europe's most exciting poets - Tadeusz Dabrowski, Nikola Madzirov and Daniele Pantano - offer a night of poetry that is not to be missed.

Hot on the heels of a South American tour, acclaimed Macedonian poet Nikola Madzirov does a one-off reading in London with his translator, Peggy Reid.

Daniele Pantano, a Swiss poet born of Sicilian and German parentage is a literary translator, critic and editor, and his poetry has been published all over the world.

Multi-awarding winning poet, Tadeusz Dabrowski from Poland will be reading from his new collection: Black Square, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones.

In association with Stanza and Maintenant.

Start Date:

Monday 12 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Monday 12 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

St. Paul’s Pavilion

Beastie

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Children take part in this show, sharing a jaw-dropping secret. They create their own stories and explore their surroundings with a very special friend. The result is a playful, active and engaging experience for small groups of children. This show is for children aged 6 to 10 only.

Please note that parents/carers will be required to drop their children off at the Level 4 Blue Bar at Royal Festival Hall and then wait outside the room for the duration of the performance. Children will be accompanied at all times on their journey around the site.

Beastie is produced by Lone Twin

Start Date:

Monday 13 February 2012 - 10:30

End Date:

Friday 17 February 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8 (children only)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Blue Bar, Level 4

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Through the Polygon Window: Hidden Histories of British film and TV

Rob Young is a music writer, journalist and editor-at-large of The Wire. He is also the author of Electric Eden - Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music.

In this illustrated talk, Young looks at the hidden histories of British film and television.

Start Date:

Wednesday 14 March 2012 - 19:00

End Date:

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£6

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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Crowd Control: Miranda Sawyer with Jeremy Hardy and Stephen Reicher

Journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer is joined by social psychologist Professor Stephen Reicher and comedian Jeremy Hardy in a discussion on the intelligence of crowds and crowd manipulation.

Start Date:

Monday 26 March 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Monday 26 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£6

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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The Life and Times of Adrian Street: Jeremy Deller and guests

Artist Jeremy Deller invites writer and journalist Simon Garfield (author of The Wrestling and Just My Type) and musician Luke Haines (creator of 9 ½ Psychedelic Meditations on British Wrestling of the 1970s and Early '80s) to join him in a multi-media extravaganza celebrating the life and legend of wrestler Exotic Adrian Street, who will join the event via a live video link from Florida.

Start Date:

Friday 30 March 2012 - 19:00

End Date:

Friday 30 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£6

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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Shazia Mirza, Ziauddin Sardar and Kamila Shamsie

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Watermarked: Women and Water in Pakistan

Water has always been precious in Pakistan but in the past two years it has left an indelible mark, with catastrophic floods causing untold losses - and it's deepest marks have been left on women and children.

'Watermarked - Voices of Pakistan' is a compilation of stories about water from writers touched by the country, illustrated with striking artwork and photographs.

Three dramatically different writers - comedian Shazia Mirza, broadcaster and cultural critic Ziauddin Sardar, and novelist Kamila Shamsie - share their experiences of Pakistan.

They discuss terrorism, natural disasters and corruption as well as the beauty of Pakistan's people and culture with Homa Khaleeli, a Guardian journalist and the editor of the collection.

All proceeds from the sales of 'Watermarked - Voices of Pakistan' will be donated to the All Pakistan Women's Association to support flood relief efforts and rebuild a damaged school.

In association with the Asia House Festival of Asian Literature.

Start Date:

Wednesday 18 April 2012 - 18:30

End Date:

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

St. Paul’s Pavilion

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Mandela Tales

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With compelling storytelling and enchanting live music, Mandela Tales is an original production for children by its creator and composer, Artistic Director, Shirley J Thompson.

Mandela Tales is inspired on the book Nelson Mandela's Favourite African Folk Tales and features a number of delightful stories from across a variety of regions and traditions across Africa.

This heart-warming show is performed by special guest artists, Katrina Brown, Yolanda Grant-Thompson, Robert Mitchell, Eugene Skeefe, Shirley J Thompson, Byron Wallen and storyteller, Kerri Mclean.

Start Date:

Wednesday 15 February 2012 - 11:00

End Date:

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8 (adults) £4 (children)

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

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Humble the Poet

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Humble The Poet is a Toronto-bred MC and spoken word artist whose work embodies the changing nature and resilience of one of the world's most diverse cities. From his appearance to the myriad of topics and taboos addressed in his work, he introduces a critical viewpoint to Hip Hop's landscape.

In 2008, Humble the Poet (aka Kanwer Singh) began releasing independently recorded tracks and videos on Youtube. By early 2009, he had launched thepoetproject.com, a space to share his works, and those of others that inspire him.

He has toured North America, UK and India in addition to being featured in numerous publications and major hip hop web sites including MTV Iggy, Rolling Stone, World Star Hip Hop, Allhiphop, and 2dopeboyz. He is now working to establish his Believe Me Music Imprint under Major Label for 2012.

He is joined onstage by young, London-based spoken word artists. These include Naga, a 17-year-old producer and lyricist from East London and a regular performer both in his local community and across London, from the Baishakhi Mela to the Underage Festival to Club 93 Feet East. Recently, he performed at Tate Britain and at 'My Golden Bangla' alongside the Asian Dub Foundation.

Start Date:

Saturday 14 April 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Saturday 14 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (Limited availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

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Life and Deaf

Life and Deaf is a unique poetry event, featuring a performance of poetry written by deaf children, which explores their identities.

Lines from these poems have been crafted into a script which is explored through spoken and signed performances by deaf young people. There is also an urban short film shot in London earlier this year inspired by the poetry. All of the actors in this performance are deaf.

This free, fully interpreted event also features performances from the acclaimed deaf poet Richard Carter.

Please note - this free event requires a ticket. You can reserve your ticket online (£1.75 transaction fee) or by phone 0844 847 9910 (£2.75 transaction fee). Transaction fees apply per transaction, not per ticket. You can also reserve your seat without a transaction fee by visiting one of our Southbank Centre Ticket Offices in person.

Start Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

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StorySLAM:Live

£8

The top event for emerging writers to showcase their work, encourage and be encouraged by others, StorySlam Live is the night for you.

As part of Alchemy Festival in celebration of South Asian culture, we are asking writers to use the word ‘alchemy’ as inspiration for a piece of fiction no longer than five minutes.

Sign up on the night and read your piece aloud for a chance to impress our literary judges. Places are limited so get there early!

Hosted by leading spoken word artist Charlie Dark.

Start Date:

Wednesday 18 April 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Blue Room, Spirit Level

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Whale Music

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Written and performed by Matthew Sharp, Sameer Rao and Andrew Motion (Poet Laureate from 1999 - 2009), Whale Music is a long-distance love song with cello and bansuri flute.

The evening also includes Rag/Bach - an exchange between Sameer Rao and Matthew Sharp sharing celebrating what's in common in their music and what's not.

Whale Music is supported by the British Council, Alchemy Festival and Deal Festival of Music and the Arts.

Start Date:

Tuesday 17 April 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

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Mushaira: Poetry Recital

This is an intimate and interactive session, where you can hear some of the UK's finest poets share their humorous, romantic and topical poetry. You can also share your compositions and take part in discussions.

A mushaira is a beloved part of the culture of Pakistan and North India, and it is greatly admired by participants as a forum for free self-expression.

Open to all who have an interest in Urdu and Punjabi poetry, ghazal and nazam.

Start Date:

Saturday 21 April 2012 - 14:30

End Date:

Saturday 21 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Facility Description:

The Clore Ballroom

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Nikesh Shukla - The Ethnic Writer - How to Avoid Labels

Nikesh Shukla, whom the media call an ethnic writer, presents a motivational speech on how to be a writer and not an ethnic writer, unless there's a lucrative reason to be.

Start Date:

Monday 16 April 2012 - 18:00

End Date:

Monday 16 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

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