Did you know that Charles Dickens experienced a record 12 white Christmases during his childhood? Or that there really was an Old Curiosity Shop – but only because the canny owner of a local store decided to get in on the act?
After a fascinating illustrated talk at Swiss Cottage Library on the great author by Camden archivist, Tudor Allen, five poets were invited to read their specially commissioned poems inspired by Dickensian characters or themes.
Claire Booker, Lisa Kelly, Alan Price, Pauline Sewards and Louise Warren had some real fun and games with ghosts of past and future. The newly minted poems included ‘In the Beginning I am Bored’ – a very broad interpretation of the brief by Claire Booker. She chose to recount her childhood tussles with ‘David Copperfield’. The novel was used as a punishment book from which she had to copy out a page for every major misdemeanour.
PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: this is not an effective way of encouraging a love of the arts!
Poets Off The Shelf’ is a poetry event held every other month at Swiss Cottage Library (the Gallery, 88 Avenue Road, London NW3 6ER) from 6pm to 8pm. Cost: free. Further details from Alan Price 0207 419 7819
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