The Voice and the Echo, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

It's not just Shakespeare at the Globe: poetry will take centre stage at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in four evenings of intimate candlelit concerts. As the title suggests, these poetic performances will reflect on the voice of a beloved poet and the ways in which it is echoed, centuries later, through contemporary creatives.
Classic and contemporary will be in conversation as brand new works by the likes of Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage and Nick Cave are intermingled with published poems by Alice Oswald, Craig Raine and many others to pay homage to the influence of some of history's greatest wordsmiths, from John Donne to William Blake.

John Donne: The Voice and the Echo, Saturday 29 August
Fresh from an astounding performance in the regional tour of Charles III, actor Tim Pigott-Smith will bring his eloquence to the work of John Donne. In a celebration of Donne's scope and influence, Piggott-Smith will read works from modern poets and writers such as Nick Drake, Paul Mudoon and Craig Raine. The poetry readings will be accompanied by Richard MacKenzie on the lute. 

George Herbert: The Voice and the Echo, Friday 4 September
Triple Olivier-winning stage and screen veteran Alex Jennings and up-and-coming actress Hattie Morahan (The Changeling) will explore the religious imagery and intricate rhymes of George Herbert. The readings feature a stellar selection of contemporary works from Wendy Cope, Alice Oswald, Vikram Seth and many more. Cellist Jacqueline Thomas will provide musical accompaniment. 

William Blake: The Voice and the Echo, Saturday 5 September
Writer cum stage and screen actress the magnificent Meera Syal, most recently on stage in The National Theatre's Behind the Beautiful Forevers, will reflect on the vivid imagination of Romantic poet William Blake through a series of readings of contemporary poets such as David Harsent, John Agard and Deryn Rees-Jones. Craig Odgen will punctuate the performance with guitar music.

Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Voice and the Echo, Wednesday 9 September
After dazzling in High Society and before a blockbuster revival of Guys and Dolls, first man of musical theatre Jamie Parker breathes life into the work of Victorian poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. Guitarist Gary Ryan will provide musical accompaniment to poetry readings form the work of John Burnside, Fiona Benson and Peter Oswald.