Poet Laureate to stage Fringe show

Published on Saturday 2 May 2009 11:28

THE UK's first female Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, is to perform at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.

Ms Duffy, the first Scot to hold the post, will be performing a new children's show based on her writing at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

The Glasgow-born writer is widely known for her TS Eliot Prize-winning poetry collection Rapture, as well as large body of critically acclaimed work, much of which is now also included in school curricula.

Ms Duffy also writes poetry for children, and has produced a significant number of well-loved children's picture books.

The Princess' Blankets performance, based on Ms Duffy's picture book of the same title, is a modern environmental folk tale, and the story of a princess who is always cold.

In a desperate quest to find warmth, the sad princess is visited by a harsh stranger who covers her in blankets made of the forest, ocean, mountain and earth.

The poet will be joined by musician John Sampson for the show, which is aimed at children aged over eight and adults.

The Princess' Blankets will be previewed at the British Library in London, before performances at the Scottish Storytelling Centre run from August 15-24.