
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.
Running time: approximately 80 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
Ticket prices
20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact groups@barbican.org.uk to make a group booking.
Subject to availability.
Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
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Hall
Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in row U at the rear of the stalls (up to sixteen, depth of row 180cm) and the back row of the circle (four), both with fold-down companion seats. Some seats in row S of the stalls for people with very limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the concert hall where there are a limited number of suitable seats in row G of the stalls. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the concert hall. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
Free large-print programmes
These are available for most of our concerts. Please contact access@barbican.org.uk at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.