Acclaimed Caribbean-British poet John Agard is touring his new play in which he re–imagines the voyage of Christopher Columbus.
Titled Roll Over Atlantic, Agard's satirical play is written in verse and performed with a soundscape. He said of it, "my influences behind my latest show include what I would describe as having the sentiment of the “Poetsonian”—a combination of poetry and the rhythms of calypso—and the satirical, irreverent potential of cabaret.
"As a former Poet In Residence at the National Maritime Museum, producing work to accompany objects in the museum’s Atlantic: Slavery, Trade, Empire gallery, I found myself wondering how could the Atlantic, so tainted by the slave trade, find redemption, 'to make a libation of itself'."
Roll Over Atlantic is written and performed by John Agard. It is directed by Mark C Hewitt and has musical backing by Thomas Arnold. The play is presented by Crosspath Theatre with support from Tilt.
The tour currently visits as follows with more dates to be announced:
- 7 October – Cheltenham Literature Festival
- 14 to 16 October – Southbank Centre's London Literature Festival
- 9 November – Nottingham Festival of Literature
- 1 to 5 March – StAnza Poetry Festival
Running time is 90 minutes including an interval. Suitable for ages 14+.