This Floating World, a book-length poem, has been adapted for a forthcoming theatrical performance at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne. Passionate Melbourne poetry writer Libby Hart created This Floating World, a collection of 76 poems during an Australia Council for the Arts residency in Ireland.
Libby, always curious of the world around her, had her first poetry collection Fresh News from the Arctic published in 2006. Fresh News from the Arctic received the Anne Elder Award, for the first publication in Australia of a first book of poetry. Libby’s inspiration for her poetry works draws on personal interest, in particular her keen interest in nature and animals.
It was during a road trip throughout Ireland in 2005, while touring and visiting the counties of Ireland that Libby envisaged the idea of This Floating World. Three years later in 2008 during her six week Australia Council residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland, Libby wrote the narrative which unfolds over 24 hours and visits 17 counties of Ireland. Each poem has been written using a different voice. The voices throughout the narrative move on with the wind and the rain. The voices glide to and fro.
This Floating World is not complicated poetry it represents a portrait of Ireland and captures the country’s landscape. The work is a narrative of Ireland through a myriad of voices that belong to people, animals, birds, spirits and nature. “The work is focused on how we are connected to all things and to each other. How we live and the dilemmas we face.” Libby explains.
This Floating World was chosen from about 80 entries submitted to the Australian Poetry Centre to be adapted into a one hour theatrical performance.
The theatre adaption of This Floating World does not use Irish accents. The actors Teresa Bell and Gavin Blatchford bring spirit to each poem. Their performances show them connecting with the voices Libby has created in her poetry. The audience is taken on a magical journey through the beauty of Libby Hart’s writing.
The Australian Poetry Centre will host a performance by Teresa Bell and Gavin Blatchford in This Floating World at The Wheeler Centre at 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, on Sunday 11 July, 5.00pm – 6.00pm.
Bookings www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=3722
Or call 03 9094 7826. Tickets $10.
