‘one of the most ambitious and entertaining poets in the country.’ (The Times, Top Ten Literary Stars of 2008)
Hannah Silva is a writer and performer whose distinctive style combines the physicality of theatre with energetic, fast-paced poetry. She composes speech, choreographs language, and exploits 'double tonguing' to create a unique form of spoken word performance. Her recent works include You Said/I Said with percussionist Alexis Kirke; Panopticon, a darkly humourous investigation of language, belonging and Britishness; and Boat on the Water, a poetry/dance/theatre performance set on a yacht in Plymouth.
The Alchemy Reading & Performance Series is an eclectic mix of poetry, prose, music and more.
Since 2002, Alchemy has presented new and unique voices from the Czech Republic and abroad. Each evening features a guest reader or performer, followed by a lively open mic.
Events take place on the 1st Monday of every month starting at 8 p.m. at the Globe Bookstore and Café, Prague.
Admission is free! But get there early if you want a seat.
PAST PERFORMANCES, 2009:
APPLES & SNAKES at THE GALLERY SESSIONS
Apples & Snakes brings the UK's finest performance poets to the Gallery Sessions. Headlining tonight's event is Jacob Sam-La Rose, a poet of striking charisma and intelligence whose roles as a writer, performer, playwright and educator make him one of the hardest working artists on the scene.
He will be joined by five times winner of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year competition Helen Mort, purveyor of reggae-infused rhyme El Crisis, and Hannah Silva, whose unique physical, fast-talking style is making her a rising star. Hosted by Naomi Woddis.
Panopticon, a solo multimedia performance will be shown as part of In the Flesh, at the Barbican, Plymouth. Panopticon is scheduled for 21:35 on Friday the 13th and has a running time of 30mins.
Panopticon is named after an architectural model designed by the Benthams in the 18th century around the central principle of ‘seeing without being seen’. The Panopticon was originally conceived as a possible model for a school, a hospital, a factory, or a prison.
Panopticon is a darkly humorous investigation of language, solitude, belonging, and what it is to be British: ‘Being a British citizen is a meaningful and celebratory event not a bureaucratic experience’.
Hannah Silva has been hailed by The Times as ‘one of the most ambitious and entertaining poets in the country’. She was recently commissioned by Dance in Devon to create ‘Boat on the water’, a poetry/dance/theatre piece on a small yacht in Plymouth, described by The Herald as ‘Plymouth’s most buoyant arts event’ and by an audience member as ‘vibrant with colour and life; amazingly inventive and entirely absorbing’.
In the Flesh does sell out so booking is advised on: 01752 627131
POETRY HEARINGS 2009
Berlin Festival of Poetry in English
Fri 20 and Sat 21 Nov, 8 pm, Kaffee Burger, Berlin-Mitte
www.myspace.com/poetryhearings
--Saturday 21 November, doors open 8 p.m.
Tom Chivers
Ivy Alvarez
Andrew Shields
Hannah Silva
Tim Turnbull
Boat on the Water: SUMMER 2009
Site specific performance: poetry, dance and theatre on a boat big enough for eight in Plymouth
Phrased & Confused commissioned myself and the composer Alexis Kirke to create a spoken word/musical multimedia feast that responds to the question: Which comes first? The Music or the Words?
You Said/I Said asks....if the poet is the words and the percussionist is the music, what would happen if the two of us got together? What kind of a relationship might we have? How would we communicate with each other and an audience? What happens when my speech becomes rhythm and his rhythm starts to communicate?
In a fifteen minute show, with Alexis behind the drum kit, me in front, and projection behind us both we tell the story of our dysfunctional relationship and try to figure out what it was that brought us together then drove us apart - Was it the Words or the Music?
A documentary from the festival can be viewed Here
Commissioned by The Hub for Phrased & Confused and funded by Arts Council England
