"The Verb"

[Lateralthinking1]

.....Just a quick reminder about The Verb tomorrow with the relevant link. I have to say that I have never seen so little information given out by the BBC about an edition by a Thursday evening. A pity. Presumably there is a good reason!?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmp65

[Lateralthinking1]

.....More information on last week's programme was finally given out but on the day of broadcast. That one has now gone from the I-Player.

In what appears to be a regrettable trend, the details for this week's programme, broadcast last night (Fri), were also only posted on the day. That is available on the I-Player until next Friday. This is what it covers:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bwbkk

[Lateralthinking1]

The programme broadcast on 24 February is available on the I-Player for two more days. The details -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bztx7

A two line summary of the programme to be broadcast this Friday, 2 March, is here -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c9s2s

[Lateralthinking1]

Is anyone going to write a poem for the Proms Poetry Competition? All poems need to be based on a piece of music to be performed at this year's Proms - http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms. The competition will be launched on The Verb tomorrow:

Friday 25 May 2012

The details of this week's programme:

Radio 3's 'cabaret of the word' at the Radio Theatre is presented by Ian McMillan.

Ian's guests at this recording are:

Wendy Cope, who's been called the 'wittiest of contemporary English poets' - she'll be launching the Proms Poetry Competition

Barb Jungr - one of the nation's most respected interpreters of popular song, who'll be performing 'Blind Willie McTell' from her tribute album to Bob Dylan 'The Man in the Long Black Coat' and her own composition 'Sunset to Break Your Heart'

Joanne Harris to talk about revisiting the characters and landscape of 'Chocolat' in her new novel 'Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure'

Simon Mole with 'Rebel, Rebel', a poem which explores the pleasures and difficulties of having baby-boomer parents.

The Verb - Friday, 10pm, Radio 3

Available until Friday on BBC I-Player

Proms Poetry Competition opens to entries from 25th May

[Lateralthinking1]

Notice - A New Approach to 'The Verb' on the FoR3 Forum

To the FoR3 Forum

Many have revealed how Chris Newman took the time and trouble to write to them about shared interests. Characteristically, he was kind enough to write to me too last year about this thread. He described himself as a supporter both of Ian McMillan and 'The Verb' and encouraged me not to give up on highlighting the programme. At the same time, he suggested tactfully that if discussion of the programme remained fairly limited, we could always consider another approach.

Having stopped and started ever since, as well as holding a straw poll, I have taken some time to gather thoughts. I have now decided to move forward with a different approach as Chris suggested. While everyone is welcome to continue contributing to this thread, it will not now be the place where I bring news of forthcoming editions or comment after the event. Instead, there will be occasional individual threads about specific items on 'The Verb' that might be of particular interest to forum members.

I envisage that the new emphasis will be on broader debate. If, say, a traditional Irish poet is featured on 'The Verb', that item might be seen as a springboard for discussion about that writer. It will not be limited to what was said on the programme and will hopefully be more inclusive. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and read the reviews. I trust the change will be welcome. It would be great to have new threads from a wide range of people. That will help me to pick out items of general appeal.

Lateralthinking1

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks for this, Lats. I often feel guilty that I don't contribute to this Thread (as "often" as you remind us that it exists!) as poetry is a much more important part of my cultural life than my neglect here would suggest.

Best Wishes for the new-look Thread.