{"product_id":"poems-as-friends-the-poetry-exchange-anthology-10th-anniversary-edition-9781529432459","title":"Poems as Friends: The Poetry Exchange Anthology 10th Anniversary Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Poetry Exchange is an award-winning podcast and project that celebrates the role poetry plays in people's lives. In their first anthology, Fiona Bennett and Michael Shaeffer draw on ten years of archival material to bring together a collection of poems chosen by readers that know them as friends, presented alongside their personal stories of connection. Featuring \u003cb\u003eBrian Cox on John Clare, Andrew Scott on George Herbert\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003e Maxine Peake on Tony Harrison\u003c\/b\u003e and many more, in this gathering of poems you can reacquaint yourself with old friends, perhaps make some new ones, and enjoy the companionship poetry can offer us. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriends that offer connection and solidarity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriends that help us wrestle with difficult things.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriends that name our experiences.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriends that comfort and help us move forward.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriends we admire.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFiona L Bennett is founder of The Poetry Exchange. She has been working in theatre and poetry for over 30 years and has an MA (distinction) in poetry from Newcastle University\/The Poetry School. Her own poems have been featured on BBC radio and in journals and anthologies across the UK and USA. Her track record of curating and directing text includes collaborations with The National Theatre, The Barbican Centre and The Royal Shakespeare Company and most recently creating the poem score for \u003ci\u003eThen or Now\u003c\/i\u003e, Ballet Black, featuring the poetry of Adrienne Rich. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMichael Shaeffer has worked as an actor across theatre, film, television and radio for nearly 30 years. In the theatre he has been increasingly drawn to working alongside writers on new pieces, and is frequently called upon to help develop new plays from the earliest workshop stages, originating leading roles in \u003ci\u003eLondon Road;\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eGirl From the North Country\u003c\/i\u003e and most recently \u003ci\u003eGrenfell: in the words of survivors. \u003c\/i\u003eIn television Michael has appeared in some of the major series of recent years including \u003ci\u003eThe Sixth Commandment\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eBodyguard; Chernobyl; Game of Thrones and Black Mirror\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTogether Fiona and Michael are the co-creators of the award-winning Poetry Exchange podcast.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Quercus Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50903696212242,"sku":"9781529432459","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_60f19b2f-e39e-456d-8310-d1821a853d33.jpg?v=1738503734","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/poems-as-friends-the-poetry-exchange-anthology-10th-anniversary-edition-9781529432459","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}