Harper’s Bazaar’s Erica Wagner on Dark Rose for Christmas

The last-minute scramble for Christmas gifts is upon us. Sure, you thought you’d have it all planned out – but somehow it never quite works out that way, does it? But never fear: I’m happy to offer a little help with a couple of stocking-size treats that are bound to please… well, almost anyone you know. Of that I am sure. Read more.

A Christmas Treat with Carol Ann Duffy and Friends

Review of our ‘Dark Rose for Christmas’ show at Manchester Metropolitan University in the online student magazine Humanity Hallows.
By Freddie Bruhin-Price
This week, at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, a sell-out crowd gathered for the final event of this year’s ‘Carol Ann Duffy and Friends’ series. This special Christmas evening included jazz, poetry and a performance from a group of musicians called LiTTLe MACHiNe. Read the full review here

Christmas cracker: Carol Ann Duffy teams up with Little Machine on festive album

Dark Rose for Christmas reviewed by Write Out Loud

Could poetry provide a Christmas hit this year? The poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has teamed up with Little Machine, a trio of musicians that sets famous and contemporary poems to music, to create Dark Rose for Christmas – 10 album tracks of Christmas poems with musical settings. Little Machine have already added music to a number of the poet laureate’s poems – she has in turn dubbed them “the most brilliant music and poetry band in the world”.  Read the full review.

Dark Rose For Christmas CD art

Dark Rose For Christmas

LiTTLe MACHiNe Christmas album collaboration with Carol Ann Duffy.

‘Dark Rose for Christmas’ is now available to purchase from our online shop £12.99 plus p&p. The Album can also be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes  and CD Baby.

With cover art designed by Tom Duxbury the limited edition CD is expected to sell out quickly so please get orders in fast. To find out more about the project and to receive alerts about the release and our Christmas shows with Carol Ann please subscribe to our newsletter.

Tracklist – click on the title link to hear before you buy
December
The Lineage
Advent
The Bee Carol
The Lord of Misrule
Christmas Eve
Elvis
The Single Bed
The Mistletoe Bride
Dark Rose for Xmas
Oh Hogmanay

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Carol Ann Duffy

Carol Ann Duffy with LiTTLe MACHiNe Brighton Dome

Review by Emily Nutbean. (Age 13) for New Writing South

Carol Ann Duffy spoke for around an hour, captivating every single person as she read out her amazing poems; some from the point of view of the wife of a famous man, mythical or real. One of these examples is Mrs. Midas, who is left to deal with the atrocious consequences of her husband’s whimsical wish. Carol Ann Duffy made us laugh and cry; Read more