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All aboard for Larkin’s Whitsun Weddings
Hull appears to be “well on track” for its year as UK City of Culture 2017 thanks to an innovative collaboration between cutting-edge theatre company Ensemble 52, The Larkin Society and Larkin 25.
Marking the 50th anniversary of Philip Larkin’s The Whitsun Weddings poem, a one-off performance piece will take place on the platforms, and on board a train journey from Hull to London.
Passengers on board the two dedicated performance carriages of the Hull Trains service on Friday, June 6th will not only get away this Whitsun Saturday - as Larkin himself did when he wrote the poem - but will also hear exclusive recorded poetry readings by actor and reputed Larkin fan Bill Nighy.
The following day, June 7th, a permanent commemorative Philip Larkin plaque will be unveiled at London Kings Cross train station by Baroness Virginia Bottomley.
Larkin’s poem, The Whitsun Weddings, describes his journey from Hull to London one Whitsun Saturday, as he noted numerous brides and grooms boarding the train. Described by the Times Literary Supplement as one of the best poems of our time, it will be brought to life by performers covering 200 miles of track, eight towns and cities and 50 years. And all in less than three hours.
Councillor Steven Bayes, Hull City Council Portfolio Holder for City of Culture, explains: “It’s fitting that Hull organisations are taking culture that is Made In Hull to London in this way. Hull culture is not just for Hull, or for 2017. It travels well, stands the test of time, and celebrates Roots And Routes and the “Hullness” that is integral to the ‘Quirky’ theme of our original bid document.”
As director of The Whitsun Weddings, Andrew Pearson of Hull theatre production company Ensemble 52, will be responsible for keeping things on track.
He says, “This will be one of those events that will forever stay in the minds of those that join us on board. It will be a very special journey and is a chance to celebrate the anniversary of a truly great collection and a poet whose life and work is intertwined with Hull, the UK City of Culture 2017. The focus of City of Culture isn’t only about events that take place in 2017, it is about the build-up and the legacy. We’re delighted that Bill Nighy has got involved as this will be the only opportunity to hear Bill reading these poems. They will not be commercially available at a later date.”
Brides and grooms will board the train at several of the stations (Hull, Brough, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham), waved-off by family and friends dressed in the “parodies of fashion” from 1964. Once on board, each couple will share stories of the highs and lows of married life, love, loss, joy and heartbreak from the past 50 years. The stories will last the period of time between stations and be interspersed with other poems from the collection relayed over the tannoy. The journey will also feature a soundtrack of Larkin’s beloved jazz music.
The Whitsun Weddings performance train departs Paragon Station, Hull Transport Interchange at 12.30pm on Friday, June 6th, bound for London Kings Cross – with full on-board and platform performances and an exclusive chance to hear Bill Nighy’s recorded performance of the Philip Larkin poem. Tickets, including one-way rail travel from Hull to London Kings Cross, cost £65 / £60 / £55, depending on the boarding station. To book, visit www.e52.co.uk or http://whitsunweddings.eventbrite.co.uk.
The unveiling of a Philip Larkin plaque at London Kings Cross Station, will take place on Saturday, June 7th at 12.30pm next to the First Class Lounge on the main concourse. Carved from slate by sculptor Martin Jennings, the ellipse plaque will be unveiled by Baroness Virginia Bottomley the High Sheriff of Hull.
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For further information, please contact:Anthony Yates, Tourism Manager, Visit Hull and East YorkshireTel. 01482 391530Email: [email protected]
MEDIA CALL:
Friday, June 6, 2014, from noon to departure of 12.30pm Hull Trains service from Hull to London Kings Cross: Paragon Station, Ferensway, Hull. Cast and audience members board the train for a unique performance piece on board two carriages.
Saturday, June 7, 2014, 12.30pm: London Kings Cross station, concourse opposite the First Class Lounge. Baroness Virginia Bottomley unveils The Larkin Society plaque to mark the 50th anniversary of the Philip Larkin poem, The Whitsun Weddings. To register, call 01482 847047 or Email [email protected].
