Poems Aloud! recitation competition winner

Elizabeth Andrews
Thursday 9 March 2017

 Isi Webb-Jenkins with John MacColl

John MacColl (University Librarian) with Isi Webb-Jenkins (winner) 

The winner this year is Isi Webb-Jenkins (first year student of Latin, Ancient Greek and Comparative Literature) for her impressive performance of Vahni Capildeo’s ‘Louise Bourgeois: Insomnia Drawings (Felt Pen)’. In her application for the competition, Isi told us:

One of my biggest passions is drama and theatre, which is why I really enjoy poetry recital as there isn’t the commitment of a long script to learn but you can really engage with texts that challenge you.

And this she did! For her efforts, Isi won £100, congratulations!
Poems Aloud in The Byre 2017

In The Byre for the first time – well done to all the students!

For the first time this year, we held Poems Aloud! in The Byre Theater Auditorium. Previously it was held in the Main Library. This new, larger location lifted the event up a level, even though it may have increased feelings of stage fright! Around 50 people (including a class and teacher from St Leonard’s) turned up to watch the 12 brave contestants recite memorized poems (memorized in the middle of essay writing time!). The students were obviously immersed in the poetry with one recitation accompanied by background music and another with the reciter dressed as an Antarctic explorer while performing ‘Inexpressible Island’ by AB Jackson.
We had a great judging panel and Kayo Chingonyi even recited some of his own work while the judges conferred.
Kayo Chingonyi Poems Aloud 2017

Kayo Chingonyi preparing

Poems Aloud! couldn’t go ahead without the excellent support from StAnza and this year The Byre – we thank you and all the brave and talented students for entering! Look out for the competition and event next year…
All images by Lighbox Creative.

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