Scottish Poetry News: August 2022
Here's the latest news on poetry performances and collections across Edinburgh for August
Livia Kojo Alour is making her first solo Edinburgh Fringe debut with her show Black Sheep (Assembly Rooms 4-27 Aug, not 15th). It’s got something for everyone, whether you’re interested in spoken word, physical theatre, or – arguably most exciting – sword swallowing. On a serious note, Black Sheep is about a queer Black woman finding love. It’s a story of overcoming institutional racism and radical vulnerability, and will be extended in Alour’s debut poetry collection, Rising of the Black Sheep, to be published with Polari Press mid-September.
Summerhall has an outstanding programme of enticing spoken word. John Hegley’s Biscuit of Destiny (Cairns Lecture Theatre, 3-28 Aug, not 15th, 22nd) sets the scene with our hero, John Keats, meeting a woman in Ireland and recognising that the poor woman is suffering from a lack of biscuits. Hegley’s usual muddle of comedy and music ensue. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Cristian Ceresoli’s Le Merda will also take to the Summerhall Dissection Room (16-28 Aug) with Silvia Gallerano reprising her blistering, unsettling performance in the internationally award-winning production.
And finally, who doesn’t love a spoken word cabaret? Luckily, Ayrshire’s own Jim Monaghan is bringing one right to your Fringe door. Word Up (The Stand's New Town Theatre, 20-21, 27-28 Aug) will feature some of the best poets from the UK and further afield, and will be joined on stage by comedians and musicians for a bit of cross-artform fun.