Derek Jarman: Modern Nature
The Prospect Cottage Diaries
Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature is adapted by Living Productions in a unique tribute to the artist, author and activist which combines readings, music, artwork and footage from his Super 8 Films.
Shortly after his HIV diagnosis and his father’s death, Derek Jarman left the chaos of London for a simple life on the Kent coast. He lived there in a derelict Victorian fisherman’s hut, Prospect Cottage, in the shadow of Dungeness power station. Facing an uncertain future, he wrote Modern Nature: a diary capturing how he found solace in the natural world.
James Dacre directs Olly Alexander, Jessie Buckley, Omari Douglas, Shaun Evans, Jessica Walker and Will Young in readings from the diaries with original music by Valgeir Sigurðsson, Max Richter, Kele Okereke and Simon Fisher Turner and songs by Donna McKevittperformed by Nils Wanderer, Penelope Appleyard and Clare Stewart.
Including artwork by Gilbert McCarragher and Susan Thomson and sound design by David Gregory with recordings by Tilda Swinton.
★★★★ “A moving, star-studded multimedia tribute features a fascinatingly eclectic array of performers and musicians, alongside Jarman’s own phantasmagorical Super 8 home footage.” The Stage
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
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
Tilda Swinton and Maxine Peake poetry recordings
