Ostensibly Tony an interview between host poet Simon Armitage and guest Tony Harrison about Harrison's life and lengthy body of work, this episode of IN CONVERSATION transformed itself into a fascinating disquisition on the role of the poet in contemporary societies.
Harrison has had a long career as a public figure, as a published poet and as collaborator on landmark theater and television productions. His version of THE MYSTERIES brought the medieval mystery plays into the contemporary world at the Royal National Theatre, later on his version of THE ORESTEIA helped us to understand more clearly the function of masks in dramatic art. On television his reading of the poem V was a damning indictment of Thatcherite Britain, causing a great deal of controversial comment, especially among the conservative media.
Since then Harrison has divided his time between creating more television essays and publishing poetry. Like Armitage, he believes that poetry should communicate with everyone; it should not be some high-falutin' art appreciable to the literary cognoscenti. Both men have steadfastly refused to shed their Yorkshire accents in the belief that they are part of their identities.
Viewers might not like some of the sentiments expressed in this program, but they cannot help admire the sincerity and commitment of both poets as they strive to write popular yet accessible work across different media.