Auden Festival

Auden

.H. Auden “We lived at Solihull, a village then; Those at the gasworks were my favourite men.”

"Letter to Lord Byron" W.H. Auden

February 2022

W.H. Auden, by Howard Coster © National Portrait Gallery, London

Reveal of Auden portrait by artist Jon Jones Perplexing, humorous and melancholy, Jon’s work is created from the heart. With a background in fine art, sculpture and ceramics, he cites Rembrandt amongst his influences and enjoys scrutinising the technique behind a painting.

Auden Festival Christopher Isherwood (left) and W.H. Auden (right) photographed by Carl Van Vechten, February 6, 1939

Solihull has an important connection with the poet, WH Auden, who spent the formative years of his life in the town. Auden came here as a very young child and his family lived here during the first decade of his life, which coincided with the First World War. This new festival, which is a collaboration between Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Solihull Business Improvement District and programmed by Parrabbola (international community arts organisation), explores his artistic output through interpretations of his work, as well as that of his collaborators and contemporaries.

In this first festival, we’re looking particularly at Auden as a young man – during the 1930s where he might be said to have developed his individual voice.

We want to focus on the ‘Art For All’ ethos, bringing the arts to audiences of all ages in a myriad of different ways.

These will include immersive street theatre performances, live readings of poetry, film screenings, talks, music performances, vintage market and a museum style Auden installation as well as participatory activity for all.

Audience can view the painting at both the Touchwood exhibition and The Core Theatre.

Please note that all information and timings are correct at time of going to print. Please check www.solihullbid.co.uk/auden for further details and up to date amends or additions.

18 February 2022

All About Auden Touchwood Atrium Discover the story of WH Auden’s life and the wonders of his work. Not only a poet, but a man of social action and immense personality, WH Auden is an undisputable world figure, who grew up in Solihull. Find out more by visiting the displays in Touchwood Atrium throughout the duration of the festival.

The Poet’Tree 3pm – 4.30pm – The Core – Open to the public A chance for everyone to discover their inner poet and to contribute to our festival collection by writing a poem and hanging it on the tree.

Auden and the 1930s - a time of liberation and repression, an Illustrated Talk 7.30pm – The Core Theatre Studio Secrets and sacrifices, the battle between right and wrong, and a desire to be heard – Auden lived his life in the 1930s through these challenges. Hear Professor Janet Montefiore (University of Kent, WH Auden Society) examine these times of upheaval with an eye towards WH Auden’s personal experience. There will be some poetry readings and discussion, as well as a Q&A. Tickets can be reserved through The Core Theatre website.

19 20 February 2022

February 2022

All About Auden Touchwood Atrium

All About Auden Touchwood Atrium

Discover the story of WH Auden’s life and the wonders of his work. Not only a poet, but a man of social action and immense personality, WH Auden is an undisputable world figure, who grew up in Solihull. Find out more by visiting the displays in Touchwood Atrium throughout the duration of the festival.

Discover the story of WH Auden’s life and the wonders of his work. Not only a poet, but a man of social action and immense personality, WH Auden is an undisputable world figure, who grew up in Solihull. Find out more by visiting the displays in Touchwood Atrium throughout the duration of the festival.

The Poet’Tree 10am – 4pm – The Core – Open to the public

Producers’ Market 9am – 5pm

A chance for everyone to discover their inner poet and to contribute to our festival collection by writing a poem and hanging it on the tree.

On Saturday and Sunday, the High Street will be home to a producers’ market, featuring fresh bakes, classic tipples and handmade gifts from the very best local producers.

Producers’ Market 9am – 5pm

Conveniently Married Shows at 10am & 3pm – Solihull Train Station

On Saturday and Sunday, the High Street will be home to producers’ market, featuring fresh bakes, classic tipples and handmade gifts from the very best local producers.

Throughout history, humans go out of their way to help others, even in the face of unseemly horror. How do we manage it? Why do we do it? And when all seems hopeless, how do we continually find new ways to hope?

Words on the Street 12pm – 4pm– Town Centre Prepare to be enchanted and delighted by poetry, on your very own high street. Our engaging actors offer you a private performance of their very favourite Auden works.

This is an experience you don’t want to miss.

Conveniently Married Shows at 10am & 3pm – Solihull Train Station Throughout history, humans go out of their way to help others, even in the face of unseemly horror. How do we manage it? Why do we do it? And when all seems hopeless, how do we continually find new ways to hope?

A promenade theatre performance exploring the marriage arranged by WH Auden between his friend, fellow writer, and Dorridge resident John Hampson Simpson, and the German actress Therese Giehse at Solihull Registrar Office on May 20th, 1936.

Reserve your free ticket through The Core Theatre website – spaces are limited!

PLEASE NOTE: This is an hour and 15 minutes walking show, starting at Solihull Station, traveling through Tudor Grange Park, and ending at O’Neill’s Pub, covering a distance of approximately one mile. Performance may be subject to changes based on weather or COVID-19 restrictions – as it is entirely outdoors, audiences are encouraged to wear weather appropriate clothing.

Attendees of the show agree to take full responsibility for their own health and safety.

Pop Up Performances 2pm- 4pm – Solihull Town Centre (various locations) Extracts from plays and letters – texts from WH Auden, Christopher Isherwood, and the Birmingham Circle and more will be gracing the town centre – ranging from intimate and heart-warming to jovial and energetic. Four 15-minute performances will be popping up every quarter of an hour at various locations throughout the town centre in these two hours, so it’s easy to see all four.

Berlin in the 1930s 7.30pm – The Core Theatre Music from Berlin of the 1920s and 1930s, which might have inspired Auden’s own musical theatre and opera collaborations. Songs by Kurt Weill including the Threepeny Opera, and other Berlin Cabaret composers, are paired with extracts from Benjamin Britten’s American operetta Paul Bunyan, for which Auden wrote the libretto.

Tickets available from the Core Theatre Box Office/website thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

A promenade theatre performance exploring the marriage arranged by WH Auden between his friend, fellow writer, and Dorridge resident John Hampson Simpson, and the German actress Therese Giehse at Solihull Registrar Office on May 20th, 1936.

Reserve your free ticket through The Core Theatre website – spaces are limited!

21 February 2022

PLEASE NOTE: This is an hour and 15 minutes walking show, starting at Solihull Station, traveling through Tudor Grange Park, and ending at O’Neill’s Pub, covering a distance of approximately one mile. Performance may be subject to changes based on weather or COVID-19 restrictions – as it is entirely outdoors, audiences are encouraged to wear weather appropriate clothing.

Attendees of the show agree to take full responsibility for their own health and safety.

Lunchtime Birthday Concert 1pm – St. Alphege Church

Pop Up Performances 2pm – 4pm – Solihull Town Centre (various locations)

Programme to include the song cycles: On This Island, Fish in the Unruffled Lakes and The Cabaret Songs.

Extracts from plays and letters – texts from WH Auden, Christopher Isherwood, and the Birmingham Circle and more will be gracing the town centre – ranging from intimate and heart-warming to jovial and energetic. Four 15-minute performances will be popping up every quarter of an hour at various locations throughout the town centre in these two hours, so it’s easy to see all four.

The Poet’Tree 10am – 4pm – The Core – Open to the public

Mixed Programme Film Event 5pm – The Core Theatre Join us for a mixed programme of short films from Auden’s life and works. Featuring the acclaimed documentaries, Night Mail (1936) and Coal Face (1935).

Both contain poetry by Auden and scores by Benjamin Britten. More information can be found and tickets can be reserved on The Core Theatre website.

Four Weddings and a Funeral 7.30pm – The Core Theatre This well-loved romantic comedy from 1994, starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell is ranked one of the BFI’s Top 100 British films from the 20th century. It follows a group of friends and their adventures in love and prominently features WH Auden’s poem Funeral Blues. Bring a tissue and a loved one and join us as we celebrate Auden on the silver screen.

TTickets available from the Core Theatre Box Office/ website thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

Happy Birthday WH Auden! On what would have been his 115th birthday, we celebrate the collaboration between two great English artists, WH Auden and Benjamin Britten, in a very special song recital, given in the church where the Auden family were parishioners during their time in Solihull.

A chance for everyone to discover their inner poet and to contribute to our festival collection by writing a poem and hanging it on the tree.

For more information, please visit the festival hub in The Core Theatre Box Office. thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk solihullbid.co.uk

Stop all the clocks,

cut off

the

telephone,

W.H Auden, “Funeral Blues”

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Reg Innell/Toronto Star via Getty Images”

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message ‘He is Dead’.

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good.