Philip Wilcox

Performances & Workshops - for Primaries

Performances
Philip delivers a performance of kids’ poems from his forthcoming book Secret Notes on an Alien Planet. The poems are written from
the perspective of an Alien who has crash landed on Earth and is trying to make sense of our world. The show is packed with audience participation, jokes, and even some illustrations from the book. The arc of the performance tells the story of the alien landing, finding a family, learning about the world and then returning home. The poems are silly and fun, and maybe sometimes a little poignant. There
are so many playful language elements in the “Alien’s” poems, all translated into the performance, which then finishes with a Q and A.

Workshops
In this workshop, students develop an “alter-ego” character, and write poems from the perspective of that character. They start with writing
exercises that help create their character—an alien, a monster, or an inanimate object brought to life. They then move on through various writing activities, to performance techniques: partnering up to perform their poems in different styles, and speed run-throughs. Finally, a few students (maybe 3 or 4) will perform their poem to the class. Poetry is about looking at the world anew, and through these “Monster Poems” students can put their finger on previously unexpressed truths that they observe in the world.

Performances & Workshops - for Secondaries

Performances
Young and talented Philip Wilcox delivers performances of spoken word poetry with a wit and power that enthral and delight. He challenges audiences with a mix of humour and social insight that steers clear of the didactic or prescriptive. He threads stories, jokes and modern day myths about growing up in suburbia with an arsenal of poems – some sublime, some ridiculous. The show will have audiences spellbound one minute, then suddenly laughing the next. Interwoven with visuals, musicality and storytelling, each performance has a strong component of student participation, followed by a brief Q & A session.

Workshops
Philip teaches students tips and tricks to write and perform their own poetry, including demonstrations of ‘slam style’ poems and discussions about form and techniques. Students will experiment with poetic forms such as stream of consciousness, battle haikus and phrase poems to help them bring to life their stories and sharpen their means of expression. Workshops for schools can sit within the syllabus criteria for English, and tailored to the specific needs of the school.

“Philip was warm, easy-going, flexible and wonderfully willing to work to our needs. The workshop was age/stage appropriate and the students were incredibly engaged. To say that the students and staff enjoyed the workshop is an understatement. It was brilliant. We look forward to having Philip back!”
Rebecca Solomon, St Andrew’s Cathedral School