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Derek Jarman: MODERN NATURE

The Prospect Cottage Diaries

,Hall
Prospect Cottage

Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature is adapted by Living Productions & Bold Tendencies in a unique tribute to the iconic artist, author & activist, combining readings, music & footage from his Super 8 Films.

After his HIV diagnosis and father’s death, Derek Jarman acquired Prospect Cottage on the barren Kent coast. With his partner Keith Collins he transformed a Victorian fisherman’s hut in the shadow of Dungeness power station into an extraordinary home & garden. Facing an uncertain future, he wrote Modern Nature: a diary capturing the solace he found in nature.

James Dacre directs Olly Alexander, Jessie Buckley, Omari Douglas, Shaun Evans, Jessica Walker & Will Young in readings from the diaries. Featuring original music from Valgeir Sigurðsson, Max Richter, Kele Okereke & Simon Fisher Turner and songs by Donna McKevitt, performed by Nils Wanderer, Penelope Appleyard & Clare Stewart.

Soloists include Joseph Atkins, Roger Chase & Rosie Banks-Francis and sound design by David Gregory incorporates poetry recorded by Tilda Swinton & Maxine Peake.

Tagged with: Contemporary music Young Barbican Theatre & dance More...

Running time: approximately 100 minutes, no interval

Age guidance: 14+

Produced by Living Productions and Bold Tendencies.

Originally commissioned and premiered at Bold Tendencies in 2023 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Derek Jarman Garden, planted by Keith Collins (1966-2018): long-time companion of Jarman and custodian of Prospect Cottage.

Modern Nature Copyright © The Keith Collins Will Trust, Derek Jarman 1991. Used by permission of The Keith Collins Will Trust and the Felicity Bryan Literary Agency.

Footage from Derek Jarman’s The Garden (1990) and Glitterbug (1993) is used courtesy of Basilisk Communications. Additional footage is used courtesy of James Mackay and Luma Foundation.

Donna McKevitt’s settings of Derek Jarman’s poetry to music are released as “Translucence” by Dharma Records.

Photography from “Prospect Cottage: Derek Jarman’s House” by Gilbert McCarragher

Performers

  • Olly Alexander   reader 
  • Jessie Buckley   reader
  • Omari Douglas   reader 
  • Shaun Evans       reader
  • Will Young   reader 
  • Jessica Walker   reader and singer
  • Nils Wanderer   countertenor 
  • Penelope Appleyard   soprano
  • Donna McKevitt   contralto & musical director
  • Clare Stewart   soprano
  • Joseph Atkins   piano 
  • Rosie Banks-Francis   cello 
  • Roger Chase   viola 
  • Kele Okereke   guitar 
  • James Dacre   director 
  • David Gregory   sound designer 
  • Susan Thomson   film 
  • Gilbert McCarragher   photography 
  • Maxine Peake   poetry recordings
  • Tilda Swinton   poetry recordings

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