Lemn Sissay News

Frantic Assembly’s new version, penned by Lemn Sissay, may be poetically vivid and visually mesmerising, but it is terminally plagued by dramatic inertia. Without that key ingredient, the production melts into the looming shadows. An expressionistic mess. But a beautiful one to watch unravel.

The cherished Radio 4 series Desert Island Discs is preparing to transfer to the live stage with a very special show celebrating over 80 years of casting its guests away. Desert Island Discs: The Live Show will grace the stage of the iconic London Palladium for three nights only from 25th - 27th March 2024.

Frantic Assembly’s adaptation of Metamorphosis, in collaboration with BAFTA-nominated Poet, Playwright, and Broadcaster Lemn Sissay Obe, concludes its national tour at The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, from 01 February – Saturday 02 March 2024.

An all new trailer has been released for Frantic Assembly's electrifying new adaptation of Metamorphosis. Check out the video here!

Theatr Clwyd has announced its Spring Season. With the capital re-development making great strides, shows continue to take place in Theatr Mix. Theatr Clwyd will also take shows and activities across the county and touring Wales. The venue will produce three productions in this stellar season, Kill Thy Neighbour, Constellations and Rope, led by three Welsh directors.  

Featuring Lemn Sissay and Salena Godden for the UK, and Kwame Dawes, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu and Jive Poetic from the USA, Apples and Snakes will explore identity, social justice and the complexities of human nature in an eclectic mix of performances at the Southbank Centre's London Literature Festival.

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Apples and Snakes are offering 40 poets the opportunity to learn about creating visuals to accompany their poetry, an increasingly necessary skill in the digital era. 

Featuring Lemn Sissay and Salena Godden for the UK, and Kwame Dawes, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu and Jive Poetic from the USA, Apples and Snakes will explore identity, social justice and the complexities of human nature in an eclectic mix of performances at the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival. Learn more about the show here!

From October 5–21, Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director Andris Nelsons, now in his 10th year, leads the orchestra in 10 exciting concerts featuring both classical favorites and resonant contemporary compositions.

Frantic Assembly is delighted to share production images for its electrifying new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, a collaboration between BAFTA-nominated poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE (author of bestselling book My Name Is Why and soon to be published new poetry collection Let the Light Pour In – published by Canongate on 21 September) and Frantic Assembly’s Artistic Director Scott Graham (Othello, Lovesong, Beautiful Burnout). 

Fall programs at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Andris Nelsons in his tenth season, feature distinguished soloists, important new works, and a weeklong celebration of Hungarian composer György Ligeti's centennial through chamber and orchestral concerts. 

Frantic Assembly has shared rehearsal photos from its new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, a collaboration between BAFTA-nominated poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE.

The album features a host of stellar musicians, such as keyboardist Jackson Baird (Mama Sutra, Sean Khan, Marcina Arnold); jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player Kevin G Davy (Cymande, Kevin Davy Quartet D’Semble), who has recorded and toured with Finley Quaye, Lamb, Adam F and Lemn Sissay's Secret Society.

Shakespeare North Playhouse, a world-class cultural landmark situated in the heart of Prescot, is celebrating its first birthday. 

Frantic Assembly has announced casting and the full creative team for its new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, a collaboration between BAFTA nominated poet, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE  and Frantic Assembly’s Artistic Director Scott Graham. 

PEN International, which has been promoting literature and defending freedom of expression worldwide since 1921, will host three post-show Q&As taking place in London this summer, as part of its unique partnership with the West End production of multi award-winning Martin McDonagh’s electrifying play The Pillowman.

Shakespeare North Playhouse has announced its lineup of performances, workshops and events for the upcoming 2023 Summer Season. 

In celebration of 40 years supporting some of the UK’s finest spoken word talent, Apples and Snakes will take over Roundhouse for a full day programme of spoken word and poetry events as part of The Last Word Festival.

The Royal Society of Literature (RSL), the voice for the value of literature in the UK, has unveiled the shortlist for the 2023 RSL Christopher Bland Prize. 

In celebration of 40 years supporting some of the UK's finest spoken word talent, Apples and Snakes will take over Roundhouse for a full day programme of spoken word and poetry events as part of The Last Word Festival.