NPF 2024: Carol Ann Duffy & Imtiaz Dharker
Overview
We’re delighted to be hosting a reading again this year by two of the UK’s most distinguished and engaging poets.
This month marks the publication of Imtiaz Dharker’s seventh poetry collection with Bloodaxe, The Shadow Reader, a collection which pays attention to wilful erasures, exclusions and also to places of sanctuary. While it acknowledges the shadows lurking in the everyday, it is also an irreverent, joyful celebration of life and, like all her work traces a delicate connection, between her drawings, much more than illustrations, and her writing. Imtiaz was awarded the Queen’s God Medal for poetry in 2014 and is the Chancellor of Newcastle University. She also runs an offshoot of her hugely successful Poetry Live for schools in the region during the festival.
Carol Ann Duffy was UK Poet Laureate for a decade from 2009 – 2019, and her tenure was distinguished by her generosity and inclusiveness in relation to other poets. She won the PEN Pinter Prize in 2012 and was made DBE in the 2015 New Year Honours list. In 2021, she was awarded the International Golden Wreath for a lifetime achievement in poetry. ‘I like to use simple words in a complicated way’ she has said of her own writing. However, her poetry is also full of imaginative leaps, as she travels through time, through the minds of characters, finding verbal nuance, irony, joy and music in the everyday. She is currently Professor of Contemporary Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University.
This event is supported by the Institute of English Studies.
Carol Ann Duffy c. Jemimah Kuhfeld
Imtiaz Dharker
There are two entrances to the theatre, Kings Road Entrance (this is the taxi drop-off/collection point) and the Main Entrance.
Both level entrances have automated doors. These lead into the foyer area where you will find the Restaurant, Bar, Box Office and entrances to Stages 1, 2 and 3.
STEP FREE ACCESS
Northern Stage is fully accessible. The theatre has three lifts providing access to all parts of the building, including the accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, stages 2 & 3 and the backstage area. Buggy parking is available
WHEELCHAIR SPACES
There are five wheelchair positions in Stage 1, two positions in Stage 2 and all seats are removeable in Stage 3.
TOILETS
We have a Changing Places toilet in the Stage 1 lobby and accessible toilets in Stage 3 and Stage 2 lower entrance lobby. Gender neutral toilets are situated in the Stage 2 lower entrance lobby.
HEARING ENHANCEMENT
Induction loop system in all public spaces, and an infra-red system in all three stages. (In Stage 1 the induction loop is best covered in rows E – L).
ASSISTANCE
One free ticket for the assistant of a disabled person who is not able to attend unaccompanied.
BOOKING COMPANION SEATING
To book a free ticket for a wheelchair companion or an assistant, contact our Box Office on 0191 230 5151, via email at boxoffice@northernstage.co.uk or by visiting our Box Office in person.
GUIDE DOGS
Guide, hearing and all working dogs are welcome here.
SEAT ACCESSIBILITY
Stage 1: Seats are 43 cm wide, 41cm deep, with 46cm between arm rests. The aisleway is 51cm deep from the seat back. Arm rests cannot be removed.
Stage 2: Seats are 40cm wide, 41cm deep. The aisleway is 64cm deep from the seat back. There are no arm rests.
Our seats are rated to British Standards at installation and are guaranteed to hold up to 110kg.
More Information
To discuss any access needs, take a look at our access page or please call our Box Office on 0191 230 5151.