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Simon Armitage in Conversation with Tony Harrison

In a special programme recorded in front of a live audience, two of Britain's best-known and most popular poets, Simon Armitage and Tony Harrison, discuss their craft and careers.

In this special programme recorded in front of a live audience, two of Britain's best-known and most popular poets, Simon Armitage and Tony Harrison, discuss their craft and careers.

Tony Harrison is one of the leading poet-playwrights working in the English language today. Harrison grew up in working-class Leeds and, since exploding into public consciousness in 1987 when his controversial poem 'V' was televised, he has been well-known for his outspoken politics, with his poetry dealing with issues of class, race and power. Throughout his prolific career, he has written for the theatre, opera, film, television and print - but all of it in verse.

Harrison has inspired a generation of younger writers to find their own voice - including fellow Yorkshire poet Simon Armitage, who like Harrison has established himself in other fields such as TV and translation, and whose northern roots and ear for the language of the street has given his work a young, urban appeal.

1 hour

Credit

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Pauline Law

Broadcasts

Contains Strong Language

Contains Strong Language

A season of poets and poetry, centred around National Poetry Day on 8 October 2015.

Genius of British Cinema

Genius of British Cinema

Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Arts celebrates British cinema in partnership with the BFI.