Macbeth at the Globe

Blood, witches, blood, Scots fighting, blood, witches, mad woman, blood, murdered children, blood, ghost, did I mention the blood? Yes, there was a lot of it. Gratuitous? Probably but I rather ignored it in favour of the witches appearing in many unexpected places looking like they were the true puppet masters and not a hint of Halloween in sight. James McArdle - the new David Tennant - as Malcolm, was an unexpected find. Watch him, I think he'll go places. Pity about the circling helicopter, but this is one of the hazards of the outdoors in London. Macbeth on a sunny day - weird, but rather wonderful.

Brian Patten

Last night at South Street in Reading. Excellent reading of his wide range of poems - those for children, of adolescence, love and death. Especially poignant were the poems on the death of his mother, and his fellow poet Adrian Mitchell. He signed some pretty ancient copies of his work brought by the crowd- testimony to his long lasting appeal. Patten was supported by Alan Buckley from Oxford who gave a well measured reading from his pamphlet Shiver (tall lighthouse) as well as new poems. A lovely evening - thanks guys!

Mexican Poets Tour

I heard their reading at Exeter College last week and fell for the very seductive poetry of Coral Bracho. I have very little and very rusty Spanish but sometimes that doesn't spoil one's enjoyment of the sound of poetry, which is in part what it is all about. Luckily translation was at hand. Coincidentally a poem of her's is in the current edition of Poetry Review. Enjoy it.

Oxford Poetry Professor

I'm backing Michael Horovitz, not that I have a vote, I just wanted to beat my drum in his direction. Bon chance.