On Fri 05 April, audiences can see Roger McGough in person at Roger McGough: Alive & Gigging. The show takes audiences on a journey back to key moments of Roger’s life, as he reflects on his Liverpool childhood before World War II, with memories and poems including The Overall Winner and Learning to Read and a throw-back to the 60s and poems of the Mersey Beat. New verses have been added for Lily the Pink which takes a playful update on the Scaffold’s 1968 classic.
The President of the Poetry Society himself, Roger McGough not only helped kickstart the musical careers of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, but inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of young poets on their poetic journeys.
86 years old and at that awkward age now between birth and death, he puts on a brave face and takes to the stage with a show featuring new poems as well as old favourites.
As well as laughs, there will be poems about growing old… A Joy to be Old, A Cure for Ageing and Let me Die an Old Man’s Death, which aptly round up the new show, plus the chance to ask questions and a book-signing.
On Sat 06 April, family audiences can enjoy a charming new musical by the beloved poet’s The Sound Collector suitable for ages 5+. Blind musician Keith loves his noisy life. One day, a mysterious figure sneaks into Keith’s house and steals his favourite sounds; it’s up to the audience to lend Keith an ear and help him catch the thief.
The production will feature inventive sound design and foley techniques to give audience members of all ages an exciting sensory experience.
“The Sound Collector is a wonderful poem about a stranger who steals all our sounds”, explains Director Jonny Danciger. “The sounds of the poem are so captivating, but it also makes us imagine what life would be without them. We want to recreate that in our theatre adaptation, using exciting techniques to help children imagine different sensory perspectives, whether that’s blindness or noise sensitivity. It’s a dynamic show with a huge heart.”
Roger McGough: Alive & Gigging
Fri 05 Apr | 19:30 | £20
watersidearts.org/alive&gigging
