Tasmanian Poetry Festival director Cameron Hindrum to bring back live poetry readings

The series of poetry readings are being presented in conjunction with Theatre North's subscription season.

Organiser Cameron Hindrum said the readings had been launched last year and were very popular and so he had worked to help return them for 2019.

The first instalment, The Effects of Light: Tasmania in Voice and Verse, will take the audience on a spoken word poetic journey to discover Tasmanian poems and poets.

Hindrum, who is the outgoing director of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival, has worked with Launceston poet Michael Edgar to curate the program for the sessions.

The first will feature original poetry from renowned Tasmanian poet Tim Thorne.

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Hindrum said all poetry was inherently meant to be read and hearing spoken word poetry was a unique experience.

"Poetry is meant to be heard; the words often capture the musical lilt of the voice," he said.

The readings will draw on over 150 years of verse to paint a portrait of what Hindrum described as "delightful, challenging and evocative moments in Tasmania's history. Not simply a history lesson and not simply a poetry reading."

There will be four  poetry reading forums held throughout the year, each on a different theme.

Ticket prices are $10 and can be purchased ahead of the event or on the door. All proceeds go to support Friends of Theatre North.

The grand evening will be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel on Friday with drinks and bar snacks available from 5pm. The poetry will get underway at 5.30pm.