A poetry workshop celebrating identity and difference, home and belonging is the latest creative initiative from the Palace Theatre. The participatory workshop, which is part of the very successful Poems from the Palace project, highlights the theatre’s importance as a leading cultural hub as well as a multi award-winning performance venue in Torbay. Anyone over the age of 14 years with an interest in writing poetry and developing their performance practise is invited to take part. The poetry workshop will take place on Saturday 21 November, led by South West based writer, poet and speaker, Louisa Adjoa Parker.
Maureen McAllister, Director of Operations of Jazz Hands CIC which manages the Palace Theatre says: ‘We are delighted to be the catalyst for bringing cultural activities to Torbay and the poetry workshop is just one of many initiatives that we have planned for local residents to enjoy’.
The workshop has been made possible with support from National Lottery Players and Arts Council England’s Emergency Response Fund, Torbay Culture’s Create to Recover programme and Literature Works.
Helen Chaloner, CEO of Literature Works says: ‘It’s wonderful to see poetry and theatre coming together. We are delighted, at Literature Works, to support this project through our Annual Fund and by connecting the Palace Theatre to our network of South West writing talent, amongst which Louisa Adjoa Parker is a star. Happy National Poetry Day 2020!’
Martin Thomas, Executive Director of Torbay Culture says: ‘Torbay Culture initiated the ‘Create To Recover’ programme in response to COVID-19. With Arts Council England funding we have supported local artists to create work in different settings across Torbay with local communities to build confidence and morale. Louisa’s workshop at the Palace Theatre is a beautiful example of that, especially as it also encourages dialogue and respect between people. We need more creativity in these tough times’.
Councillor Jermaine Atiya-Alla from Torbay Council says: ‘We welcome this poetry workshop that’s being hosted by the Palace Theatre to look at issues around identity and difference – it is so important that we use culture and the arts to educate people in a positive way on diversity. With October being Black History Month and Torbay Council about to launch a comprehensive review into how we can all do more to make Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic lives matter in Torbay, this is really timely’.
Poetry workshop spaces are limited and must be booked in advance through the Palace Theatre’s website:www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk. A selection of poetry videos submitted by local community groups and businesses as part of the Poems from the Palace project can be seen on the Palace Theatre’s Youtube channel and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites.
