Sussex poetry celebration for William Shakespeare’s 457th birthday

Ten of the poets whose work is published by Dempsey and Windle will read two Shakespearean-inspired poems each at the event.

The poems read will focus on Shakespearean characters or plots, the Bard’s life and family or be parodies of his style.

Others will be new poems written for the occasion, serious or humorous or anything in between. Each poet will have five minutes to read during an hour of entertaining and fast-moving and varied poetry hosted by Janice Windle.

Leading the way from the world of theatre will be two Sussex actors who have trodden the boards performing Shakespeare’s plays.

Screen and stage actor Gareth Williams whose credits include Guys and Dolls in the West End, Mike Leigh’s recent film of Peterloo and roles with the English Shakespeare Company, will deliver Jaques’ famous speech from As You Like It, The Seven Ages of Man.

He has also appeared in the Festival of Chichester.

His wife, Paula Tinker, who has appeared on a number of occasions at Chichester Festival Theatre, will read Portia’s speech from The Merchant of Venice, The Quality of Mercy.