A weekend with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Celebrating a new translation by Michael Gibson of the famous medieval poem
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th June 2023
Celebrating a new translation by Michael Gibson of the famous medieval poem
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th June 2023
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The unknown author of this magnificent poem - composed not very far from Buxton – was a trickster and a cheat! So says Michael Gibson who this year publishes a close and rhythmic translation of the original verse narrative. How does he know?
In the long preparation of this new translation, Michael has come to a new understanding of the tale and argues that it has in many ways been misunderstood. His claim is that the author is inviting us to play a game, if we dare. There is another more subversive story within the given one – if we can find it. |
Programme of Events
Saturday 24th June
1. Green Knight… Green Man… Green Chapel - 5.30 to 6.30pm in the Ground Floor Gallery
A presentation with illustrations addressing the question, “Where is the Green Chapel?” Michael discusses its possible location, the strange character of the Green Knight and how he might connect with the Green Man of folklore.
6.30pm: Snack Buffet available (must be pre-booked)
2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - A telling of the tale in two hours with one interval - 7.45 to 10pm in the Ground Floor Gallery
Michael will tell this rich and fascinating tale partly in his new translation, partly in the original verse and partly in prose storytelling. Accompanied by original music.
Sunday 25th June
3. Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise – or Cheat? - 2pm to 3.30pm in the Workshop Room*
For anyone who would like to delve more deeply into the poem, Michael presents his theories on the ‘story within the story’ and shares insights into the process of translation and the difficult issue of plagiarism.
plus…
Original Illustrations by Joanna Allen
From 10.30am to 4.30pm on both days and during Saturday evening in the Ground Floor Gallery
A pop-up exhibition of the collagraph prints commissioned to illustrate for Michael’s new translation.
*The Workshop Room is reached via one flight of stairs.
Booking
Book at the gallery in person or by phone during opening hours. (01298 937375)
Single Tickets
1. Green Knight… Green Man… Green Chapel £6
2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – A telling of the tale £8
3. Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise – or Cheat? £6
Combined Tickets
1 and 2: Talk and performance - Saturday £12
2 and 3: Performance - Saturday and talk - Sunday £12
1 and 3: Two talks – Saturday & Sunday £10
Snack buffet on Saturday £6
All events including snack buffet on Saturday £24
Drinks available in return for donations
Michael Gibson is a ‘poetician’, performer and scholar who is deeply immersed in the language and rhythms of English poetry from its earliest forms to the present day.
Previous appearances at The Green Man Gallery include Beowulf’s Boxer Shorts, Caedmon Sings and Sir Orfeo. His presentations are accompanied by music played on the pipe and a replica Anglo-Saxon lyre.
In July 2023 he will be back at the gallery with How Mad Was Ted Hughes? – On Poetry and Passion. Details can be found in the Spoken Word section of the Buxton Festival Fringe programme.
Saturday 24th June
1. Green Knight… Green Man… Green Chapel - 5.30 to 6.30pm in the Ground Floor Gallery
A presentation with illustrations addressing the question, “Where is the Green Chapel?” Michael discusses its possible location, the strange character of the Green Knight and how he might connect with the Green Man of folklore.
6.30pm: Snack Buffet available (must be pre-booked)
2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - A telling of the tale in two hours with one interval - 7.45 to 10pm in the Ground Floor Gallery
Michael will tell this rich and fascinating tale partly in his new translation, partly in the original verse and partly in prose storytelling. Accompanied by original music.
Sunday 25th June
3. Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise – or Cheat? - 2pm to 3.30pm in the Workshop Room*
For anyone who would like to delve more deeply into the poem, Michael presents his theories on the ‘story within the story’ and shares insights into the process of translation and the difficult issue of plagiarism.
plus…
Original Illustrations by Joanna Allen
From 10.30am to 4.30pm on both days and during Saturday evening in the Ground Floor Gallery
A pop-up exhibition of the collagraph prints commissioned to illustrate for Michael’s new translation.
*The Workshop Room is reached via one flight of stairs.
Booking
Book at the gallery in person or by phone during opening hours. (01298 937375)
Single Tickets
1. Green Knight… Green Man… Green Chapel £6
2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – A telling of the tale £8
3. Truth, Dare, Kiss, Promise – or Cheat? £6
Combined Tickets
1 and 2: Talk and performance - Saturday £12
2 and 3: Performance - Saturday and talk - Sunday £12
1 and 3: Two talks – Saturday & Sunday £10
Snack buffet on Saturday £6
All events including snack buffet on Saturday £24
Drinks available in return for donations
Michael Gibson is a ‘poetician’, performer and scholar who is deeply immersed in the language and rhythms of English poetry from its earliest forms to the present day.
Previous appearances at The Green Man Gallery include Beowulf’s Boxer Shorts, Caedmon Sings and Sir Orfeo. His presentations are accompanied by music played on the pipe and a replica Anglo-Saxon lyre.
In July 2023 he will be back at the gallery with How Mad Was Ted Hughes? – On Poetry and Passion. Details can be found in the Spoken Word section of the Buxton Festival Fringe programme.