Ghost Light
Week One: Kindness
‘We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead – you first,” “I like your hat.”‘
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead – you first,” “I like your hat.”‘
This excerpt is from
Small Kindnesses by Danusha Laméris as chosen by Chris Gribble
As we navigate
through these times of isolation and social distancing, it has become more
important than ever to stay connected and to stay positive. Ghost Light
is a poetry challenge aimed at nurturing our mental well-being, and an
opportunity for our audiences to reflect on their time away from Norwich
Theatre and write about their experiences. Whether in the form of haiku,
sonnet, rhymed poetry or free verse send us your thoughts at this most unusual
time.
Every week, a
literary guest will provide a theme or source of inspiration to kick things
off. We are delighted to welcome Chris Gribble, Chief Executive at the
National Centre for Writing, as our first guest.
Your submissions will
be shared on social media and on our website, and will form part of a
commemorative book that will be published at the end of the project. All
submissions will be judged by local literary figures, and the three winning
poems will be displayed across our three buildings when they re-open to the
public.
The title Ghost
Light is inspired by the stories and superstitions of the theatre world. A
ghost light is a small, bare light that shines on the dark stage when the
theatre is closed and unoccupied. Its primary reason is safety, a ghost light
ensures that nobody accidentally trips up in the dark or falls off the stage.
However, theatre people are a superstitious bunch and there are a number of
stories surrounding the origin of this charming tradition… Maybe the ghost
light is there to give theatre ghosts, former actors themselves, enough light
to perform on stage… Or maybe is to keep those ghosts away so that they don’t
get mischievous while everyone is gone!
To Enter:
– Email your
submission to media@norwichtheatre.org – using the subject heading: ‘Ghost
Light’. Please include your name, age, address, and the title of the poem.
– Participants who
wish to share supplementary drawings or illustrations, can include them as
attachments in their email.
Terms & Conditions:
1. The Ghost Light
competition by Norwich Theatre is open to anyone aged 10+.
2. The Closing date for the competition is 30 June 2020.
3. A single entrant can submit a maximum of three poems. All entries will be considered.
4. The poems can be written in any style. All poems must have a title and must not exceed 250 words in length (excluding title). All entries must be connected to the weekly themes provided by Norwich Theatre via our website, social media platforms and weekly e-newsletters.
5. Entrants, if they so wish, can accompany their poem with a photograph, drawing or illustration.
6. Poems must be the entrant’s original work and written in English.
7. Copyright remains with the authors, but we reserve the right to publish the poems in any format.
8. Please include all of your poems on a single word document or PDF, in font size 11pt or larger. Your name and address must be included on the poem entries.
9. No alterations can be made to a poem once it has been submitted.
10. The three winners will be requested to provide a biography, headshot photograph and to take part in any subsequent publicity surrounding the poetry challenge.
11. All winning poems will be announced and published on our website and on Norwich Theatre social media platforms. The poems may also be used to decorate Norwich Theatre buildings, upon the re-opening of the organisation.
12. Employees of Norwich Theatre are not eligible to enter the competition for judged works, however, their submissions will be considered for inclusion in the commemorative book.
2. The Closing date for the competition is 30 June 2020.
3. A single entrant can submit a maximum of three poems. All entries will be considered.
4. The poems can be written in any style. All poems must have a title and must not exceed 250 words in length (excluding title). All entries must be connected to the weekly themes provided by Norwich Theatre via our website, social media platforms and weekly e-newsletters.
5. Entrants, if they so wish, can accompany their poem with a photograph, drawing or illustration.
6. Poems must be the entrant’s original work and written in English.
7. Copyright remains with the authors, but we reserve the right to publish the poems in any format.
8. Please include all of your poems on a single word document or PDF, in font size 11pt or larger. Your name and address must be included on the poem entries.
9. No alterations can be made to a poem once it has been submitted.
10. The three winners will be requested to provide a biography, headshot photograph and to take part in any subsequent publicity surrounding the poetry challenge.
11. All winning poems will be announced and published on our website and on Norwich Theatre social media platforms. The poems may also be used to decorate Norwich Theatre buildings, upon the re-opening of the organisation.
12. Employees of Norwich Theatre are not eligible to enter the competition for judged works, however, their submissions will be considered for inclusion in the commemorative book.
