W H AUDEN - A Humorous Chat about the Poet with John Clarke and Clive James

This delightful writers' festival discussion involves two superbly talented word artists reflecting on the work of a giant of English poetry. John Clarke (1948 - 2017) and Clive James (1939-2019) were humorists with a deep understanding of the subversive potential of language. John Clarke came from New Zealand in the 1970s to become the parodist supreme in Australia. widely admired for his ability to lovingly lacerate pomposity, most memorably in the news commentary he presented with Bryan Dawe in which he portrayed political and cultural notables but without any attempt at changing his voice or appearance. His natural sense of the ridiculous led him to instinctively follow Voltaire's advice about the purpose of satire - to make vice and folly bleed. Clive James achieved international distinction as a wit, broadcaster, critic and poet. Here they recite their favourite Auden poems, discuss interpretations of his work and the effect that the poet's verse had on their own development. With humanity, virtuoso impromptu commentary and gentle self analysis, they talk about their own struggles for meaning and a guiding philosophy, and of course are consistently funny.

Видео W H AUDEN - A Humorous Chat about the Poet with John Clarke and Clive James канала Jay North