BBC Radio 4 ‘More Than Words’ – A listening festival for Bristol live at St George’s Bristol, 16-18 March 2012
‘More Than Words’ is a wonderful free weekend of live performance, comedy, storytelling, conversation, drama, and poetry courtesy of BBC Radio 4.
Celebrating Bristol and some of the great shows made by Radio 4 in the area and beyond, this will be a thought-provoking and inspiring weekend, not to mention a lot of fun. The theme is “listening” which, in a fast paced world, is something we all struggle to make time for. This is your chance to reconnect with thoughtful listening and to come face-to-face with wonderful thinkers, journalists, writers, comedians, actors and poets in the process. You can join them for discussions, drama, conversation and entertaining perspectives on a wide range of topics and, of course, there will be a chance for you to make your voice heard as well. It will also be an opportunity for you to experience some of the most exciting local talent Bristol currently has to offer.
The following events are taking place here at St George’s, but for details of the full programme of events across the city visit the ‘More Than Words’ website. Details of how you can get tickets follow.
Friday 16 March
Desert Island Discs – 6.30pm
The festival kicks off with a special 70th anniversary recording of Desert Island Discs. Singer-songwriter & jazz-pianist, Jamie Cullum will be Kirsty Young’s castaway.
Broadcasting House Workshop – 7.45pm
A chance to see how Paddy O’Connell’s Broadcasting House programme is made. Join Paddy and the team for an editorial meeting… and bring your ideas.
Great Lives with Matthew Parris – 9pm
Radio 4′s biographical series looks at some of the world’s most fascinating and influential characters. Matthew Parris invites a special guest and an expert to reveal the real person behind the reputation.
Saturday 17 March
Loose Ends with Clive Anderson and Arthur Smith – 11am
Lively conversation, music and comedy brought to you by the Radio 4 Loose Ends team headed by Clive Anderson and Arthur Smith. Surprising and engaging guests and live music.
Bristol Readings – 3pm
Three ground-breaking and talented writers from Bristol push the boundaries of radio fiction in specially commissioned stories bringing together words and sounds.
A Good Read – 5.30pm
Lively conversation and passionate opinions as presenter Harriett Gilbert and two guests recommend their favourite reads for one of Radio 4′s best loved book programmes.
Wondermentalist Cabaret – 8pm
Poet, performer and enemy of all that’s difficult and upsetting, the matchless Matt Harvey presents a comedy-infused, musically-enhanced, slightly interactive poetry cabaret.
Sunday 18 March
Broadcasting House with Paddy O’Connell – 9am
Join Paddy O’Connell and his guests for a live broadcast of news, views and discussion with a difference.
Readings with A L Kennedy: Are You Inexperienced? – 11.30am
A trilogy of short stories comes from award-winning writer, dramatist, performer and long term aerophobic A L Kennedy.
With Great Pleasure – Cerys Matthews – 2pm
A chance to hear singer-songwriter, broadcaster and multi-instrumentalist Cerys Matthews as she shares an eclectic and personal mix of some of her favourite pieces of poetry, prose and song, joined by actors and musicians.
Poetry Please with Roger McGough – 4.30pm
National treasure Roger McGough, the regular presenter of Radio 4′s Poetry Please, is joined by well-known actors to share requests for poems that celebrate sounds and the joy of listening.
For tickets and information
Tickets for these events are free and only available by registering your request at bbc.co.uk/tickets
Due to the popularity of these shows the BBC is operating a random draw. You can register for a maximum of two tickets per recording and one recording per household.
Applications for tickets will be accepted at any time from Monday 20 February at 9am until Friday 2 March at 4pm.
Please note these tickets will not be available from St George’s Bristol Box Office.
For more information on the festival go to bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/more-than-words