In the first hour of this recording of Public Address, you’ll hear Spoken Word performances. 'Spoken Word' is poetry that's written to be performed and can be delivered in a variety of styles and can even involve collaboration and experimentation with other art forms. In the first hour of this recording of Public Address, you’ll hear Spoken Word performances. 'Spoken word' is poetry that's written to be performed and can be delivered in a variety of styles and can even involve collaboration and experimentation with other art forms, including music, theatre and dance. It can be used to tell stories or to explore the stories of others.

Some spoken word artists even incorporate raps and hip hop beats into their work. The main way that they differ is that spoken word tends to be straight to the point, avoiding complicated metaphors in favour of stripped back lyrics. Spoken word first kicked off with the American Beat Poet movement that took place in the 1940s and 1950s. This saw a group of authors in New York using their work to exploring and influence the culture of the time. Venting their frustrations with society, these poets started a tradition that has continued for many years, moving all the way up to today, where new social issues have brought upon a completely new era of spoken word.

In this Public Address Spoken Word special you’ll hear classical poems read by familiar voices mixed with newer material verbalised by newer voices all reflecting life and social issues over the years up to the present day.

1.     AURORA Written and Read by MOLLY CASE

2.     BALANCE Written and Read by KATE TEMPEST

3.     HOOKED Written and Read by THOM MCKEOWN

4.     BLUEBIRD Written and Read by CHARLES BUKOWSKI

5.     TOMORROW HAS YOUR NAME ON IT 

        Written and Read by ROGER McGOUGH

6.     A GROWN WOMAN CRYING

        Written by ALAN LEWIS and Read by ANN REID

7.     CANOE

        Written by KEITH DOUGLAS and Read by CLIVE JAMES

8.     THE LESSON

        Written and Read by THOM MCKEOWN

9.     SPIRIT

       Written by THOM MCKEOWN

        and Read by MEGAN ROSE THOMAS

10.   THE LAMB

       Written by WILLIAM BLAKE

        and Read by SIR RALPH RICHARDSON

11.   IF

       Written by RUDYARD KIPLING

        and Read by SIR MICHAEL CAINE

12.   STOP ALL THE CLOCKS

        Written by WH AUDEN and read by TOM HIDDLESTON

13.   KILSHEENLAN BAY

        Written and Read by THOM MCKEOWN

14.   OZMANDIAS

        Written by PERCY BYSHEE SHELLEY

        and Read by VINCENT PRICE

15.   AFTERWARDS

        Written by THOM MCKEOWN and Read by REBECCA BURTON

16.   INVICTUS

       Written by WILLIAM HENLEY and Read by MORGAN FREEMAN

17.   DESIDERATA

        Written by MAX EHRMANN  and Read by SHANE MORRIS

18.   BLACKBERRY PICKING

        Written and Read by SEAMUS HEANEY

19.   LOVE LETTER

        Written by VITA SACKVILLE WEST and Read by JUDY COMER

20.   THE BOXER

         Written by GABRIELE TINTI and Read by KEVIN SPACEY

21.   REMEMBERING MARIE

        Written by BERTOLD BRECHT and performed by DAVID BOWIE

        And following Side 2 of ‘Slowmotion Music’

        SIR ANTONY HOPKINS will recite Dylan Thomas’ RAGE

        to conclude the programme.