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  The Poetry of Hart Crane -...

  Hart Crane

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  Harold Hart Crane was born on the 21st July 1899 in Garrettsville, Ohio. 
  Crane was drawn to literature at an early age, becoming a voracious reader and pursuing self-education rather than attach himself to a more formal college education, although he did attend East High School in 1913.  His developing love of poetry was nurtured with the works of the English Romantics and the French Symbolists, as well as near contemporary American poets. 
  Much of his youth was spent shuttling between Cleveland and New York as his parents’ marriage descended into continuing conflict before they separated with Crane still in his teens.  Shortly after Crane attempted to enlist in the U S Military but was rejected for being a minor. 
  His first published poem also came in 1917 with ‘C33’ and its reference to the cell number that Oscar Wilde was incarcerated in. 
  Crane now centred more of his time in New York and immersed himself in the vibrant artistic scene of Greenwich Village.  Alongside this he dabbled in various jobs to support himself, including copywriting and work in a munitions factory, as he continued to develop his ambitions for a poetic career.   
  His early work was already being noticed for its lush and rich use of words and by the time ‘White Buildings’ was published in 1926 he was being critically acclaimed. 
  Despite this success his personal life was troubled.  It was both nourishing his work and fuelling complex patterns of despair as he sought to establish his identity.  In a time when homosexuality was openly condemned his openly gay attitude sat uneasily as he pursued relationships that were both intense and emotionally fraught. 
  His acclaimed work ‘The Bridge’ in 1930 was both ambitious and a foundation stone for new American poetry.  Against this his battles with depression and alcoholism were being lost. 
  Hart Crane died on the 27th April 1932 by jumping from the deck of a steamship into the Gulf of Mexico upon his return to the United States.  He was 32.

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  All’s Well That Ends Well

  Tom Wheelwright, William...

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  The young and virtuous physician’s daughter Helena desperately loves Count Bertram, but he regards her as beneath his notice. 
  When Helena cures the king of France of a mortal illness, he rewards her with Bertram’s hand, but before their marriage can be consummated, the count flees. To win her husband back again, Helena forms a daring and resourceful plan. 
  A plot to unmask the strutting soldier Parolles makes up another strand in this sometimes disturbing comedy of deception and disguise. 
  ACT IScene 1. Bertram, the young Count of Rossillion, is leaving home to take his place at the court of the King of France, who is gravely ill. Bertram bids farewell to his mother the widowed Countess, her friend the old lord Lafew and the young and virtuous Helena, daugther of a famous doctor now deceased, who lives as a dependent in the old Countess’ household. Helena is passionately in love with Bertram, though without hope because he is so far above her in birth. Parolles, a blustering soldier who has attached himself to Bertram, is also going to the French court and Helena determines to follow. She has learned the mysteries of medicine from her father; if she can cure the King, she may win Bertram’s heart.Scene 2. The ailing King tells of war between the Florentines and Sienese; he will give permission to any young gentleman of France who wishes to go to Italy in search of glory. Bertram arrives and the King greets him warmly. Scene 3. The Countess gently forces Helena to admit her love for Bertram and reveal her plan to attempt the King’s cure. The old lady kindly offers her support. 
  ACT IIScene 1. Lafew announces the arrival at court of a young woman who claims to be able to heal the King. The King is deeply skeptical, but Helena persuades him to allow her to make the attempt. Should she succeed, the King is to grant her the husband of her choice.Scene 2. The Countess’ fool Lavatch is to be sent to the court. He claims that he has a response that will serve him in all social situations, but the Countess exposes his folly.Scene 3. Helena has restored the King to joyful health. He offers her the hand in marriage of any of the young lords at court, but when she chooses Bertram he recoils in horror. Angrily, the King commands Bertram to wed Helena instantly. The marriage takes place, but Bertram vows that he will never sleep with his bride and determines to steal away to the Italian wars at once.Scene 4. Helena receives a letter from Bertram telling her that he has been called away and ordering her to take leave of the King.Scene 5. Lafew warns Bertram that Parolles is a hollow sham. Helena enters and Bertram dismisses her curtly, instructing her to return to the Countess. 
  ACT IIIScene 1. The Duke of Florence prepares to welcome the young Frenchmen who come to fight on his behalf.Scene 2. Helena has received a letter from Bertram: until she can get the ring from his finger, which he has vowed never to remove, and produce a child that she has conceived by him, she will never be able to call him husband.Scene 3. The Duke of Florence, impressed by Bertram’s military promise, has given him an important command. Scene 4. The Countess has received a letter from Helena telling her that she has gone on a pilgrimage to atone for her sin in aspiring to Bertram’s love and freeing him from his responsibility for her. The Countess bitterly deplores her son’s arrogance and blindness.Scene 5. Helena has come to Florence where she meets a kindly widow and her beautiful daughter, Diana. The widow tells her that Bertram has fought heroically in the war but also that he has been attempting to seduce Diana. Scene 6. The French soldiers hatch a plot to convince Bertram of Parolles’ cowardliness; pretending to be enemy soldiers, they will capture him, then see if he is prepared to betray his friends.Scene 7. Helena, too, is setting a plot. Diana is to pretend to yield to Bertram’s suit on condition that he give her his ring. She

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  Endless Growth

  Abby Richardson

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  Abby Richardson has always approached life with a sense of wonder, finding beauty and meaning in everyday moments. From a young age, she expressed her creativity through painting and demonstrated remarkable resilience while navigating challenges in special education. Now a nursing professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, Abby channels her deep empathy and connection with others into her writing. She draws inspiration from the stories and experiences of her patients, loved ones, and friends. Guided by a profound spiritual connection to the healing arts, Abby views writing as a natural extension of her calling—to offer comfort, inspiration, and healing to all who encounter her work.

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  Laughing Boy - (stage version)

  Stephen Unwin

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  'So much magic. So much love. So much laughter. So much work. So much rage. And so many tears.'
  Connor is, well, Connor. He loves buses, Eddie Stobart and Lego. He also has learning disabilities. When he dies an entirely preventable death in NHS care, his mum, Sara, can't get a straight answer as to how it happened.
  But Sara and her family won't stop asking questions and soon an extraordinary campaign emerges. Demanding the truth, it uncovers a scandal of neglect and indifference that goes beyond Connor's death to thousands of others.
  Sara Ryan's impassioned, frank and surprisingly funny memoir Justice for Laughing Boy is adapted for the stage by Stephen Unwin. It was first performed at Jermyn Street Theatre, London, in 2024, in a co-production with Theatre Royal Bath.

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  Leaves of Grass

  Walt Whitman

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  "Leaves of Grass" is a seminal work of American literature, a poetry collection authored by Walt Whitman. First published in 1855 and repeatedly revised and expanded upon throughout Whitman's lifetime, it is a celebration of humanity, nature, love, and the vastness of the American experience. The poems are noted for their free verse and candidly open exploration of sensuality, self, and the interconnectedness of all things. Among its most famous sections is "Song of Myself," where Whitman delves deep into the concept of the individual and the collective, connecting the tangible with the transcendental.

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  Charles Dickens' Poor Relations...

  Charles Dickens

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  Charles Dickens The Poor Relations Story Was adapted for Audio and Produced by Alex FreemanIt features the voice talents of Ronnie Cosmos as John, Hollyn Gayle as Christiana, and all other roles were played by Alex Freeman.Music was by Axletree, tracks included Drops of Melting Snow, Cotswold Snow, The Sighful Branches, and The Curios Roe.

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