Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and singer-songwriter Pete Atkin are set to explore the power of words in both poetry and music on Friday 4 October.
As many readers will know, Rowan Williams is a theologian, academic, and church leader who served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012. Having taught theology at Oxford and Cambridge University, he is a writer of philosophy, theology, literature and spirituality. He is well-known for his work on the relationship between faith, reason, and social justice, authoring many popular works such as his study of CS Lewis, The Lion’s World – A journey into the Heart of Narnia, as well as books that have made a unique contribution to international theology.
In addition to his theological contributions, Williams is also a poet. This event offers an opportunity to hear him discuss poetry outside of his usual themes of theology and politics.
Joining Williams is Pete Atkin, a singer and songwriter who gained prominence in the late 1960s and 1970s for his collaboration with the poet Clive James. Together, they created a series of critically acclaimed albums, including Beware of the Beautiful Stranger (1970), Driving Through Mythical America (1971), and A King at Nightfall (1973). Atkin is set to perform some of his work during the event.
The evening has been organised by Andrew Taylor, a priest with a deep interest in the intersection of theology and literature. Having organised other theology and literature related events before, he sees this evening as a rare opportunity to witness a thought-provoking conversation between two prominent figures.
“I wanted to bring together Rowan Williams with Pete Atkin to talk about the power of words in poetry and music.
“Rowan Williams is a name that has a large reach with secular audiences. People outside of church know his name, and they know that he speaks very insightfully.
“I’ve also admired Pete Atkin since my teenage years. He was for the latter part of his professional life a Radio 4 producer. You will hear his name, for example, on the credits for the radio programme Yes Minister and This Sceptered Isle. Before that, during the late 1960’s and 1970’s, he had a fruitful working partnership with the poet Clive James as his lyricist, releasing a series of critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful albums on the RCA label.
“Stephen Fry, well known to so many as an actor and author, is a huge fan of Atkin and James, writing in the forward to Ian Shircore’s book Loose Canon: The Extraordinary Songs of Clive James and Pete Atkin –
‘No one British has written consistently better, sharper, sour sweeter or more original or hauntingly memorable songs over so long and fruitful a partnership’.”
The first half of the evening will feature a mix of discussion and performances, while the second half will allow both Williams and Atkin to showcase their own work.
This is not strictly a theological event, but Andrew anticipates that theological reflections may naturally emerge, given the backgrounds of both participants.
“The event gives people the chance to hear one of the leading thinkers and spiritual writers of our age speak about poetry. With this, they get to hear him talk with an individual who has a very different perspective. The evening will explore what they have in common, how they use words in music.”
Tickets are priced at £12, and can be purchased in advance or at the door. People can purchase tickets online here.
The venue is St. Andrews URC in Cheltenham and, although not an event in the festival, takes place on the first day of the Cheltenham Literature Festival from 7pm to 9pm.
“Two distinguished voices from different worlds are coming together to share their insights. Poetry works best when it is performed, and this evening promises to bring both song and poetry to life in a truly unique setting.”
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