After his HIV diagnosis and father’s death, Derek Jarman acquired Prospect Cottage on the barren Kent coast. With his partner Keith Collins he transformed a Victorian fisherman’s hut in the shadow of Dungeness power station into an extraordinary home & garden. Facing an uncertain future, he wrote Modern Nature: a diary capturing the solace he found in nature.
James Dacre directs Olly Alexander, Jessie Buckley, Omari Douglas, Shaun Evans, Jessica Walker & Will Young in readings from the diaries. Featuring original music from Valgeir Sigurðsson, Max Richter, Kele Okereke & Simon Fisher Turner and songs by Donna McKevitt, performed by Nils Wanderer, Penelope Appleyard & Clare Stewart.
Soloists include Joseph Atkins, Roger Chase & Rosie Banks-Francis and sound design by David Gregory incorporates poetry recorded by Tilda Swinton & Maxine Peake.
Produced by Living Productions and Bold Tendencies.
Originally commissioned and premiered 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 Copyright © The Keith Collins Will Trust, Derek Jarman 1991. Used by permission of The Keith Collins Will Trust and the Felicity Bryan Literary Agency.
Footage from Derek Jarman’s The Garden (1990) and Glitterbug (1993) is used courtesy of Basilisk Communications. Additional footage is used courtesy of James Mackay and Luma Foundation.
Donna McKevitt’s settings of Derek Jarman’s poetry to music are released as “Translucence” by Dharma Records.
Photography from “Prospect Cottage: Derek Jarman’s House” by Gilbert McCarragher
