aAh! Magazine
You are here: Home / News / A Fantastic Evening with Carol Ann Duffy
News

A Fantastic Evening with Carol Ann Duffy

7th December 2012 By 0 262
By Sophie Bannister
MMU Creative Writing students did The Manchester Writing School proud when they performed their poetry alongside Carol Ann Duffy at the Royal Exchange theatre on Tuesday 4th December 2012. Carly Hind, Charmain Leung, Kim Moore and David Tait, all current or former MA Creative Writing students at MMU, read their own poetry for a 100-strong audience at the Carol Ann Duffy and Friends event, guest starring Jackie Kay. The event, they said, was, ‘wonderful for us as students because we get the opportunity to read with the great and good, and we get the opportunity to share our work.’
 
The night consisted of two halves; the first was all about the students showcasing their extremely varied talents–Carly’s work was dark and a little cheeky with themes such as Shakespeare’s dark lady, immortal jellyfish and blindness, capturing the audience’s attention well. Next was Charmain, whose work is beautifully descriptive.
She focuses much more on people, emotions and experience, with excellent and appealing results. Kim, who read last, won the Eric Gregory award in 2011. Her poetry took on a more comical approach and the group sitting next to me were positively doubled over with laughter at her wit and bluntness.
 
David Tait, also an MMU graduate, is the Royal Exchange’s house poet and read a couple of his own poems at the beginning of the night’s second half, which were received with both laughter and quiet contemplation. Next up were the stars of the night. Carol Ann Duffy and Jackie Kay were powerfully engaging, soaking up the atmosphere and performing to the mood of the audience. We heard all about Carol Ann’s conflict with the GCSE exam board, her grumbles about the post office and her love of Liverpool. Jackie Kay spoke about her family and her friends, who are obviously exceedingly important to her. She shared fond memories and put certain things to rest, all whilst letting her personality shine through.
 
The MMU Writing School is represented in all its glory by both Carol Ann and these students, and we can see how well the school caters for upcoming writers. David Tait said that fellow students on his MA course, ‘improved their distinctive personal voice rather than adapting it to a certain style,
and that it’s a testament to the tutors that teach [on the course],’ This was most definitely proved on the night.
 
The evening was thoroughly entertaining, and everybody left with a smile on their face. Monday 7th January 2013 will be eagerly awaited as the next date for a night of poetry and music at the Royal Exchange Theatre. To book, click here

About the author / 

aAh!

aAh! Magazine is Manchester Metropolitan University's arts and culture magazine.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • 29th May 2026

    Fcukers @ New Century Hall gallery – bringing the party to Manchester

    Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Fcukers headline a sold-out show at Manchester’s New Century Hall, in support of their long-awaited debut album, ‘ö’. Opening the night are Sydney-based Sleepazoid, whose hazy, atmospheric sound offers a sharp contrast to the headliners’ explosive energy. Their set feels cinematic and dream-like, serving as both a striking opener…

  • 21st May 2026

    Q&A: DR DR on Manchester, Justin Timberlake and full-fat milk

    Featured image and gallery: Sub Khan Hailing from Manchester and playing a sold-out show at Manchester’s Lion’s Den, with an imminent EP on the way, aAh! speaks to Fred Farrell (vocals) and Danny Atherton (bass) of Dr Dr. Did you start the band during Covid times? Is that where it all originated? F: It was…

  • 16th May 2026

    Yellow Days @ Gorilla review – a night of cinematic neo-soul

    Featured image: Gary Walker Neo-blues soul artist Yellow Days, the stage name of Haslemere’s George van den Broek, returns to Manchester with his seventh album, Rock And A Hard Place, and a live show that proves just how far he has come.  Before he steps out, London-based act Brian Nasty warms the room up nicely,…

  • 12th May 2026

    The Royston Club @ O2 Victoria Warehouse gallery: sending shivers down your spine

    Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch The Royston Club perform alongside Overpass and Permanent (Joy) at a sold-out O2 Victoria Warehouse. Welsh indie rock band The Royston Club, school friends who began playing together in 2017, now headline O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. Touring second album Songs For The Spine, they generate an energetic sold-out…

Latest Articles