One Hull of a weekend: the return of Contains Strong Language
More than 30 events in venues around the 2017 City of Culture… dazzling sets from The Hull 18, our 18 featured poets... live broadcasts and recordings for BBC Radio… and so much more. It can only be the return of Contains Strong Language – the UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival of new writing. Here are some highlights.
2018 Highlights video - Part 1
The Best of CSL 2018 - part 1
The Best of CSL 2018 - part 1
Making beautiful music
There were live broadcasts and recordings from The Verb on Radio 3, Front Row on Radio 4 and BBC Radio Humberside came live from Contains Strong Language with the Kofi Smiles Show and BBC Music Introducing. Lots of musical treats, from Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals to a Leonard Cohen tribute feature an array of talents.
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What is Contains Strong Language?
The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival of new writing returned to Hull in September 2018. Get all the event details and meet those involved.
Leonard Cohen Is My Spirit Guide - at Jubilee Church, Hull
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National Poetry Day 2018
#BBCLocalPoets celebrates 12 exciting new poems on the theme of change
Making tasty music
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BBC Music Introducing
Spoken word artists, lyricists and rappers perform in front of a live audience at the BBC
Young Identity and Nabb Gang - One Mic Stand
Brand new comic drama - I Told You I Was Ill
In the centenary of his birth, I Told You I Was Ill is a tribute to comedy legend Spike Milligan. The comedic and dramatic talents of Jessica Hynes, Mark Heap, Toby Hadoke, John Hegley and others came together to produce three short plays in homage to Spike - recorded in front of a live audience at Hull University's Middleton Hall. The show was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 7 October and is available for 30 days on BBC iPlayer.
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I Told You I Was Ill - on Radio 3
In the centenary year of his birth, this is a special homage to Spike Milligan, where three writers respond to Milligan’s style, his work, his legacy, hosted by comic poet and singer John Hegley.
I Told You I Was Ill - a tribute to Spike Milligan
What would Spike Millgan make of this?
Unwritten: Caribbean Poems After the First World War
Unwritten Poems
Caribbean Poets after the First World War
Still - JoinedUp Dance and Simon Armitage
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About Still
JoinedUp Dance Company present a rich visual experience in response to Simon Armitage’s collection of poetry Still, commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions.
The Poetry in Film - Jackie Kay and Matthew Kay
First times, feeling inspired and falling in love with poetry
"Thank you, CSL"
Feeling honoured
"See you again soon, Hull!"
Highlights from BBC Radio
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The Verb on BBC Radio 3
The Verb, recorded live at Hull College - listen and enjoy a few photos.
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Front Row on BBC Radio 4
Recorded live at Hull College - listen and enjoy a few photos.
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BBC Music Introducing on Radio Humberside
Spoken word artists, lyricists and rappers perform in front of a live audience at the BBC.
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Kofi Smiles with Young Identity
A special live show from the BBC Open Centre in Hull as part of the "Contains Strong Language" poetry festival.
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The Echo Chamber
Jacob Polley, Caroline Bird, Wayne Holloway-Smith and Mary Jean Chan share poems about beginnings, arrivals and coming of age.
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I Told You I Was Ill
In the centenary year of his birth, this is a special homage to Spike Milligan, where three writers respond to Milligan’s style, his work, his legacy, hosted by comic poet and singer John Hegley.
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Between The Ears: Miss Birdie's Letter
Poet Karen McCarthy Woolf follows the trail of a letter sent to her Jamaican grandmother by her Church, commending her on 67 years of faithful service.
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Drama on 3: The Blackwood
Part of Radio 3’s showcase of new audio plays at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Recorded with an audience at the BBC’s newly created pop-up drama studio at the Summerhall arts venue.
