Bathwater is a powerful and extraordinary piece of drama. It has left me changed. Courageous and compelling poetry from a very talented writer.
HELEN MORT
One of the most exciting new voices which Hull's City of Culture has allowed us to hear so far.
IAN MCMILLAN, THE VERB, RADIO 3
Vicky Foster’s Bathwater was a drama about mental health and really effective in its very different verse format. This had a rhythm that drew you in. Listener John Griffiths-Jones in Wallasey emailed to say he was glued to the seat of his car and Vicky and Finlay were brilliant, whilst Tanya found it moving and uplifting at the same time and a real pleasure to hear the Hull accent. It was beautifully written by Vicky Foster.
SHEILA MCLENNON, PICK OF THE WEEK, RADIO 4
THE GUARDIAN, JULY 2024
“If you’d asked me what was the worst thing that could have happened to me at that point in my life, this was it,” says Foster. When we meet, she’s in Waterstones’ cafe in Hull, cradling a cappuccino, friendly, open, quick to laugh – to really laugh – and excited that her new book, It Happened Like This, is on display downstairs. After reading it, you want to celebrate with her; as her friend puts it in the final pages: “Karma probably does owe you one.” Full article by Anna Moore, here.
THE POETRY OF IT ALL, HEBDEN BRIDGE TRADES CLUB
19th November, 7PM
The 5th poetry of it all welcomes the fantastic Alistair McGowan as headliner. Known as one of the best impersonators in the UK, Alistair has had a 30yr+ career in the entertainment industry with his own Bafta winning TV shows and more. Alistair is now touring as a poet with his debut collection Not what we were expecting. The amazing Vicky Foster is our guest poet. Vicky is a an award winning writer, performer, poet and teacher. Her work has been broadcast on Radio 3, Radio 5, Radio 5 and Radio 6. Her sensational memoir It Happened Like This was published by Bloomsbury in 2024. Buy tickets here.
TODMORDEN BOOK FESTIVAL
Fielden Hall, Todmorden, OL14 7DD
Sun 10th November 2024, 4.30-5.30 PM
Vicky Foster was 25 when her abusive ex-partner – the father of her children – was murdered. She tried to draw a line under the past and move on with her life. This meant overcoming PTSD, trusting people again, building her career and ultimately, learning to return to herself. But, 16 years later, one of her ex-partner’s murderers hit the headlines as the ‘hero’ of the 2019 London Bridge terrorist attack. Lyrical and raw, her memoir It Happened Like This is a book about heroism and villainy, about class and the climate of neglect created by austerity. Vicky will be in conversation with Calder Valley writer Janine Bullman. Tickets here.
HELEN MORT, IT HAPPENED LIKE THIS REVIEW
'It would be easy to call a memoir like this 'courageous' or 'raw'. It is those things. But it is also shape-shifting, darkly witty, expertly structured, alarming, unflinching and finely wrought...It gets inside your head. And it is a haunting and compelling re-writing of a story, placing emphasis on the power of carrying on and refusing to be silenced.' Read more here.
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS
Here at Freedom Festival Arts Trust, we're excited to announce a new commission with our partners at Hull Maritime, with support from Arts Council England and In Situ. Our Associate Artists, The Broken Orchestra, have created a brand new audio tour 'Fair Winds & Following Seas' an immersive experience that can be downloaded directly to your mobile device for you to enjoy as you walk through the city centre. With spoken word by Vicky Foster, this tour explores Hull’s maritime heritage through a 3D medium of words and music, weaving together to guide you through the rich history of our Old Town. The project will premiere at Freedom Festival 2024.
HERE: A CELEBRATION OF HULL
Matt Holborn Quartet Plus Vicky Foster & The Broken Orchestra, Emily Render & Tom Kay and Late Night Marauders’ Ruth Scott & James Wood.
This special Hull celebration culminates with the world premiere of jazz violinist Matt Holborn’s new suite Here, inspired by Hull’s history, people and sense of place and commissioned as part of our Kickstart Commissions programme. Six of the city’s finest artists open the double bill with a programme of new music, spoken word and classic soul and jazz covers inspired by Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Etta James and Tom Waits to name a few.
FREEDOM SESSIONS: HOME
Written by The Broken Orchestra & Vicky Foster. A new commission for Freedom Festival 2021: Come and see Earth with new eyes. The Broken Orchestra and Vicky Foster will share this specially commissioned live soundscape and spoken word performance beneath Luke Jerram’s Gaia, inside the stunning Hull Minster, which will be lined with trees, courtesy of The Woodland Trust.
WHITEFRIARGATE POET-IN-RESIDENCE
A new poem has been commissioned to celebrate the area of Whitefriargate for World Poetry Day 2021. Hull’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) has partnered with Humber Mouth literature festival and Wrecking Ball Press to commission poet Vicky Foster as Whitefriargate’s poet-in-residence for 2021, Vicky Foster will draw on key features of the historic street to highlight its long-standing role in the story of the city and the people who live and work there. Read more here.
LIVE PERFORMANCE // WORD CLUB
Join us for another WORD CLUB ZOOM extravaganza with three fabulous headline poets, namely Hull's BBC RADIO 4's poetry star, Vicky Foster, the brilliant Martin Figura and reading from her debut solo pamphlet the wonderful Rachel Davies. The usual open mic slots are available and you're welcome to join our famous after-hour party as we natter into the small hours.
COLUMNIST ANNOUNCEMENT// THE HULL STORY
We are delighted to welcome four new columnists to The Hull Story.
They are Vicky Foster, Joe Hakim, Sam Hawcroft, and Russ Litten.
As well as being great writers, they are all sons and daughters of Hull. Read more here.
VICKY FOSTER // AUTHOR VOICES // SOCIETY OF AUTHORS
Foster won the 2020 Imison Award for her debut audio drama 'Bathwater'. Here she talks about the experience of writing it, the importance of sharing, what being shortlisted and winning the Imison meant, and offers a few tips for writers new to audio drama. Watch here.
For more on the Imison Award: authr.uk/imison
BACK TO OURS // NATIONAL POETRY DAY 2020
Back To Ours Celebrate National Poetry Day 2020 with readings from Hull poets. Here Vicky Foster reads her gorgeous poem responding to the theme of 'vision'. This is 'My Stormy Boy'.
WAKEFIELD LIT FEST // POETRY WORKSHOP
Join poet Vicky Foster in this opportunity to develop your skills in creating poetry for performance. This workshop is open to 14-25 year olds.
HOW TO MAKE GREAT AUDIO DRAMA // SOCIETY OF AUTHORS
Why write audio or podcast drama? How do you sell ideas to radio? In-conversation event with Scriptwriters Group chair David Morley alongside award-winning scriptwriter Rhiannon Tise and winners of this year’s Tinniswood and Imison Awards, Ian Martin (The Thick of It) and Vicky Foster. Broadcast live by the Society of Authors in Week Twelve of the SoA @ Home Festival on 6 July 2020. Watch here.
SHE FEST 2020 //A SHEVENING // #SHEFESTDIGITAL2020
Join us for a proper night in, bursting with entertainment & oozing with talent. Better yet, no show is the same so you could book twice
Singing, dancing, comedy, spoken word - you name it, these ladies have got it and they’re making herstory with it! Celebrate this incredible talent from the comfort of your home.
FIRST STORY // WRITE FROM HOME FESTIVAL 2020 // TUTORIAL
National Writing Day 2020 takes place on 24 June. With most young people at home due to the pandemic, this year’s programme is being delivered digitally. Our NWD 2020 resource bank includes nine, feature-length creative writing video tutorials led by talented First Story Writers-in-Residence.Vicky Foster shares a tutorial on Writing Place.
LEEDS LIT FEST PRESENTS // VICKY FOSTER & LUNAR-CI:HYMN TO THE MOON
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Hull poet Vicky Foster, whose powerful Radio 4 drama Bathwater has been shortlisted for The Imison Award, performs her poetry in the beautiful radio theatre upstairs at Chapel FM, alongside a unique blend of poetry and improvised music, Lunar-Ci: Hymn to the Moon, created by Charlie Wells and Jacqui Wicks and recently featured on Radio 3’s Unclassified. Lunar-Ci was originally commissioned by ‘Festival of The Moon’ Wakefield 2019 and explores our relationship to the moon. Event info here.
Picture:Tricia Yourkevich/BBC
THE BOOKSELLER // FOSTER & MARTIN CROWNED SoA AUDIO DRAMA WINNERS
Poet and pub singer Vicky Foster and comedy writer Ian Martin are the winners of this year’s Society of Authors audio drama prizes.
Foster's winning script was deemed a "mesmerising … powerful, gripping’ exploration of domestic violence" by the judges, all of whom are members of the Society of Authors’ Scriptwriters Group (Stefan Buczacki, Jamila Gavin, Nell Leyshon, David Morley, Barney Norris, Hannah Silva, Sean Grundy and Elizabeth-Anne Wheal). The prize of £3,000 is sponsored by The Peggy Ramsay Foundation. Read full article here.
SOCIETY OF AUTHORS // IMISON SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT 2020
The judges said: "It was mesmerising. Incredibly powerful, gripping and a well-written piece that handles domestic violence in an unconventional way. Bathwater is thoughtful and explores inherited trauma well and has beautiful moments. It has great use of the medium and lovely use of language with some memorable phrases. The writing sucks you in, the characters are strong, and it is an intriguing, arresting piece of poetic drama, that explores the way trouble is passed on. It puts an isolated, overlooked world on the airwaves and it does so in a way that makes you really feel for the people it documents."
BBC AUDIO DRAMA AWARDS 2020 // THE FINALISTS
The list of finalists for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2020 has been revealed, with Black Water: an American Story, Undercover Mumbai, Forest 404, Stephen Dillane, Rebecca Front, and Alexei Sayle in contention. Read the full story here.
HEADSTART HULL
In 2018 a group of young volunteers from the HeadStart Hull programme launched their inspirational and acclaimed suicide awareness campaign called “You Are Not Alone”. This is an updated short film about the You Are Not Alone Campaign, which includes footage from the launch of the campaign on the Humber Bridge. Read more here.
SHEILA MCLENNON // PICK OF THE WEEK // RADIO 4
"Earlier this year I picked a wonderful Radio 4 play, Bathwater, by the Hull poet Vicky Foster who writes beautifully. Well Vicky was one of Ian McMillan’s guests on The Verb this week, recorded at the Contains Strong Language festival in Hull. Here she is with The Broken Orchestra and her poem celebrating the River Hull, which winds its way fragrantly through the old town, past The Deep and into the Humber."
AUTHOR INTERVIEW // WRECKING BALL PRESS
Having risen to prominence following critically acclaimed appearances at two Contains Strong Language festivals, the broadcast of Bathwater on BBC Radio 4 and with a series of collaborative audio projects thrilling audiences, Vicky Foster reveals more about her work as a poet and author. Read the interview here.
PERFORMANCE OF ADELLE STRIPE'S HUMBER STAR // JOHN GRANT'S NORTH ATLANTIC FLUX
Financial Times: “'Humber Star,' for example, had a fantastic depth and poignancy. A poem by Yorkshire writer Adelle Stripe, it was set to a strings and alto flute score by Reykjavík composer Halldór Smárason, and performed at Queens Hall by local poet Vicky Foster with the Sinfonia UK Collective. As the brittle, yearning 40-minute piece unfolded, accompanying visuals revealed the local Gansey jumper design that gave 'Humber Star' its title; these distinct patterns would enable trawlermen’s families — including Stripe’s forebears — to identify relatives drowned at sea."
THE GUARDIAN // 2017
Of course, there’s more to Hull’s poetry scene than the bard of the Brynmor Jones Library. Larkin himself helped to usher in a new generation in 1982, writing the lyrical foreword for the influential Douglas Dunn-edited anthology, A Rumoured City. In September, Rhodes will co-direct Contains Strong Language, a spoken word festival introducing yet more Hull voices. Dean Wilson, Joe Hakim and Vicky Foster, he hopes, could be the latest in a poetic lineage stretching back to Andrew Marvell. Read the full article here.
HUFFINGTON POST // 2017
Contains Strong Language will give a nod to the past but will embrace the future, supporting and encouraging new local talent and giving them a platform alongside first class national and international poets. Well-established and respected names such as Imtiaz Dharker, Bohdan Piasecki and Fred Voss join world-class spoken word artists Kate Tempest and Dr John Cooper Clarke alongside brand new voices including Isaiah Hull, the winner of Words First in 2016, and Hull poet Vicky Foster. Read the full article here.
WF LIVE // UNITY WORDS REVIEW // 2016
"This section also included this audience member's highlight of the evening, as Vicky Foster answered the frequently-asked question 'Why do you live in Hull?' with a beautiful love poem to her oft-derided home city. Delivered in those broad vowels peculiar to the land of Airlie Birds and Robins, it expressed a sense of place and a pride in your roots more powerfully, surely, than anything anyone better known has written or said: who'd have thought references to the Hull Daily Mail, pattie and chips or 'hands that placed rugby balls over muddy trylines' could prompt tears in the eyes of a coaldust-in-the-blood son of the West Riding? But then that's the power of words."
HUMBER MOUTH REVIEW 2016 // RUSS LITTEN
"Up next batting for Hull, Vicky Foster.…. she smashes it with poetry birds, pictures of parks and bundles of civic pride. As well as providing seamless links between the poets, Vicky Foster treated us to her brilliant 'Why I Love Where I Live,' a multi-generational journey through the psycho-geographical ley lines of our fair city, celebrating the unique blend of guts, compassion and resilience that makes our people what we are. Superb stuff."
CHANGING TIDES BOOK LAUNCH REVIEW // MICHELLE DEE
"After just eighteen months Vicky Foster has developed into a voice of some note: her honesty and plain-spoken verse, coupled with a clear sense of pride in her roots, has made her stand out. Her poems read like pages torn from a scrapbook, scattered with memories, yet acutely aware of change. Sat in Minerva Pub by the Humber, you can feel the sense of history, the presence of all those who have made this place their own: the poem ‘Why I love where I live’ connects the generations to this spot, then allows each life to spiral out into the city streets where it may. In the poem ‘Smiggy’ – a tribute to a friend, the line ‘tumbling like carefree stigs’ jumps out from the page, immediately painting a picture of rag-tag teens, looking for a place to land. 'Vicky, she holds the heart of the city'… I heard someone say after." Read Michelle's blog here.
