Saved events

Derek Jarman: MODERN NATURE

The Prospect Cottage Diaries

,Hall
Prospect Cottage

Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature is adapted by Living Productions in a unique tribute to the artist, author and activist which combines readings, music, artwork and footage from his Super 8 Films.

Shortly after his HIV diagnosis and his father’s death, Derek Jarman left the chaos of London for a simple life on the Kent coast. He lived there with his partner Keith Collins in a derelict Victorian fisherman’s hut, Prospect Cottage, in the shadow of Dungeness power station. Facing an uncertain future, he wrote Modern Nature: a diary capturing how he found solace in the natural world.

James Dacre directs Olly Alexander, Jessie Buckley, Omari Douglas, Shaun Evans, Jessica Walker and Will Young in readings from the diaries with original music by Valgeir Sigurðsson, Max Richter, Kele Okereke and Simon Fisher Turner and songs by Donna McKevitt performed by Nils Wanderer, Penelope Appleyard and Clare Stewart.

Including artwork by Gilbert McCarragher and Susan Thomson and sound design by David Gregory with recordings by Tilda Swinton.

Tagged with: Classical music Contemporary music Theatre & dance

Running time: approximately 80 minutes, no interval

Age guidance: 14+

Produced by Living Productions and Bold Tendencies

First produced at Bold Tendencies in 2023 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Derek Jarman Garden, planted by Keith Collins (1966-2018) long-time companion of Jarman and custodian of Prospect Cottage.

Modern Nature is published by Vintage Classics. 

Footage from Derek Jarman’s Glitterbug (1993) is used courtesy of Basilisk Communications and additional footage is courtesy of James Mackay and Luma Foundation.

Donna McKevitt’s settings of Derek Jarman’s poety to music are released as “Translucence” on Dharma Records

Gilbert McCarracher’s photographs of Prospect Cottage are published in “Prospect Cottage: Derek Jarman’s House” by Thames & Hudson

Performers

Olly Alexander reader 
Jessie Buckley reader
Omari Douglas reader 
Shaun Evans     reader
Will Young reader 
Jessica Walker reader and singer
Nils Wanderer countertenor 
Penelope Appleyard soprano
Donna McKevitt contralto
Clare Stewart soprano
Joseph Atkins piano 
Rosie Banks-Francis cello 
Roger Chase viola 
Kele Okereke guitar 
James Dacre director 
David Gregory sound designer 
Susan Thomson film 
Gilbert McCarragher photography 
Tilda Swinton poetry recordings

Ticket prices

20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

Subject to availability.


 

£10

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

No booking fee. Subject to availability.

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online. 

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.

*Excludes £4 booking fee

See more gigs for less

Get 20% off tickets and pay no booking fees. Plus, enjoy priority booking and Member-only events (T&Cs apply)
Join Membership

You might also like

Discover

Barbican Recommends

Listen: Barbican Recommends

Not sure what to listen to? Every month we update our Barbican Recommends Spotify playlist with what we've been listening to in the office. Expect everything from Punk to Jungle to Classical.

Tune in

Hall