Spoken Word...

The 2012 Lostwood programme is almost confirmed!  Read on to discover the band of poets who’ll be performing in Lostwood this year, and check back for lots more still to be announced, from storytelling and authors talks, to interactive word workshops and book based happenings…

Lyrical Lostwood - Poetry 

Larmer Tree’s poetic offerings continue to go from strength to strength, with a fourth year of Lyrical Lostwood performances from Thursday to Sunday night.  There’s something for everyone here, from the bitingly slick raps of Joelle Taylor and Catherine Labiran, to the comedic ramblings of Scott Tyrrell and Anna Freeman, and the mesmerising music/poetry harmonies of Yaffle.  If you’re looking for something a bit different to tantalise, lyricise or gently scandalise your sensibilities, then Lyrical Lostwood is the place for you.

Megan Beech

Described as an “artist, cultural terrorist [and] poetic activist”, Megan has been dubbed “by far the strongest female freestyler I have ever had the infinite pleasure to witness” Poetry Society.  She has had feature slots in events such as Apples and Snakes: FORKED and Bang Said the Gun, and is a recent winner of the Poetry Society’s SLAMbassadors national slam.  Also, watch out for Megan’s poetry and beat boxing workshop in Lostwood on Sunday afternoon.
www.wix.com/megbeech/performancepoet

 Jo Bell

Jo’s inspiration comes from boats (she lives on one), archaeology (she used to be an archaeologist) and sex with sailors (everybody needs a hobby).  She works across the UK, performing and producing poetry road shows such as Fourpenny Circus, which was nominated for the Ted Hughes Award.  Jo is the Director of National Poetry Day across the UK.
http://belljarblog.wordpress.com/

Anna Freeman

A multiple slam champion and activist for ginger rights.  Her work is mostly comedic, with a spine of genuine pain and humiliation at the inarguable fact of her own existence.  Her poetry has been known to make audiences laugh helplessly, before leaving a greasy after-taste of lingering wrongness... like a kebab made of goat meat. 

Adam Horovitz

Adam has worked as a journalist, ghost writer, editor and sheep dipper to support his long-term poetry habit.  He was Glastonbury Festival's official website poet in residence in 2009 and, in 2010, was voted onto The Independent's Hospital Club 100 as an 'emerging talent'.  His debut collection, Turning, was published in 2011. Also, watch out for Adam’s poetry workshop in Lostwood on Saturday afternoon.
http://adamhorovitz.co.uk/blog/about-2/ 

David C Johnson

A slam-winning performance poet and Radio 4 playwright, his witty, observational poetry has entertained audiences at literary and poetry festivals in the UK and North America.  He has appeared on BBC Radio's Word of Mouth and Stand Up Poetry. His latest collection is Fallen Apples.
www.davidcjohnsonpoet.com

Lyrical Laureate - Catherine Labiran

Larmer Tree’s Lyrical Laureate for 2012 is Catherine Labiran. Catherine will be running workshops for all ages during the afternoon, and performing for Lyrical Lostwood in the evening.  She is a dynamic spoken word artist who uses hip hop inspired rhythms and stream of consciousness writing to draw in audiences.  She has performed at venues including The House of Commons and The Royal Festival Hall.  She is an associate artist of The Roundhouse with her collective Elephant. 

Dan Simpson

A spoken word poet and compere, poetry projects and event organiser, workshop facilitator, and writer, Dan’s poetry deals with love and literature, science and stars, ex-girlfriends and Xboxes: all that good geeky stuff.  He is compere of The Word House in Bethnal Green, and his poetry has featured on the London Underground, in Fuselit Journal and Inc. Magazine. 
www.dansimpsonpoet.co.uk 

Joelle Taylor

Don’t miss this spoken word artist, novelist, award winning playwright and cultural terrorist who has toured nationally and internationally, and has featured on radio and television.  She is the founder and Artistic Director of SLAMbassadors UK - the national youth slam championships.  Her book SKA TISSUE was released in May 2011.

Scott Tyrrell

This Newcastle-based award-winning Stand-up Poet has been pestering stages since 2001 with his unique sideways take on the grace and grind of the 21st Century. From the perils of parenthood and transience of technology to good old fashioned silliness, Scott frames a warm snapshot of humanity comically finding its feet on today’s shifting sands.

Yaffle (Helen Gregory and Benita Johnson)

One of the hidden wonders of festivals like Glastonbury and Larmer Tree, Yaffle fuse poetry and music in deliciously captivating musings, which leave their audiences spellbound.  Benita’s expressive, haunting voice and guitar melodies perfectly harmonise with Helen’s poignant, sultry poetry, to narrate mesmerising tales of love, loss and the wonders of life. 

For more activities from beneath the trees please see our pages about Woodland Crafts.

For a full timetable of events, don’t forget to buy your programme. They can be bought when you buy tickets online or from Info at the festival.