Hailing from Scotland, Imogen Stirling is a playwright, performance poet and producer who creates startling and expressive hybrid work straddling the worlds of poetry, theatre and electronic music. She’ll be performing solo at this year’s festival, without an electronic artist – “unusual for me these days”, she says – in a show that will include “old and new pieces, alongside teasers and excerpts from some new and upcoming projects.” We caught up with Stirling to find out more.
Q&A with Imogen Stirling
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into live performance?
I’m a Scottish performance poet and playwright creating startling and expressive hybrid work. I typically create stage show fusions of poetry and electronic music and perform in theatres, arts venues, at festivals and everything in between. I want to present poetry that is thrilling, dynamic, story-led and accessible to varied audiences.
I’m preparing to tour my show Love The Sinner around Scotland this Autumn where we’ll head everywhere from Dumfries to Shetland. The show is produced by Vanishing Point Theatre Company and currently nominated for three awards, including Best New Play, at the CATS Awards.
I performed in a lot of theatre productions when I was young and then toured Europe in a music duo after leaving university. Performance poetry was my way to fuse my loves of theatre and music – I wrote my first poetry show for the Fringe in 2018 and haven’t looked back since.
What’s it like to be performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival?
It’s on every performer’s bucket list, isn’t it? I’m emboldened, energised and excited by it. Music festivals are one of my favourite places to perform and you can’t top Glastonbury for sheer size and vibe.
What can you tell us about your plans for the show?
I’m performing solo which is unusual for me these days, I typically play alongside an electronic artist. So it’s an excuse to return to real audience connection – relishing the experience of telling a story to a gathered group. I’m going to perform old and new pieces, alongside teasers and excerpts from some new and upcoming projects.
How do you approach performing at a festival like this?
For music festivals, it’s all a case of reading the crowd. Are they hyped up from the festival and want poetry they can dance to? Or are they looking for relaxation, a pause amidst the chaos? You need to respond authentically and immediately to the people around you which is a thrill and a challenge. Glastonbury is a whole new ball game. I’m ready to think on my feet and orchestrate an engaging performance for the people who come to listen.
Will you be checking out any other acts across the weekend?
There are so many to pick from, it’s unbelievable. I’m hoping to catch Little Simz, Janelle Monae, The Last Dinner Party, James Blake and Faithless. What a treat!
Imogen Stirling performs on Poetry&Words at Glastonbury Festival, taking place from 26-30 June
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