National Theater Mourns Tony harrison, ‘People’s Poet’ and Longtime Bard
LONDON – Tony Harrison, the fiercely independent Yorkshire poet who forged a unique four-decade relationship with the National Theatre, has died at age 88. Harrison, renowned for his politically charged verse and innovative stage work, passed away peacefully at his home in Oxford, according to reports confirmed today. His death marks the end of an era for British theatre and poetry, leaving a void for those inspired by his uncompromising vision and dedication to working-class voices.
Harrison’s connection to the National Theatre was complex and enduring, marked by both critical acclaim and periods of estrangement. While he famously declined consideration for the Poet Laureate role-articulating his dissent in the poem “Laureate’s Block”-he became, in effect, the theatre’s unofficial poet, crafting verse for productions and developing original plays that challenged conventional theatrical boundaries. His work, often rooted in his working-class upbringing in leeds, explored themes of class, power, and the enduring relevance of classical mythology.
Harrison first gained prominence with the Trackers of Oxyrhynchus (1988), a groundbreaking production that wove together fragments of a lost Sophocles satyr play with the story of the archaeologists who discovered them. He followed this with Square Rounds (1990),a controversial examination of the morality of scientists involved in developing weapons of mass destruction. Despite a lukewarm initial reception-described by then-NT artistic director Richard Eyre as “a kind of noble disaster”-both plays were later lauded on revival at the Finborough Theatre in 2017-18.
His collaborations with the National also included a version of Victor Hugo’s Le Roi S’Amuse as The Prince’s Play (1996), staged by Eyre, and Fram (2008), a play about Arctic exploration. Beyond the National,Harrison was a prolific poet and translator,celebrated for his translations of Greek tragedy and his own powerful verse collections,including V., a deeply personal exploration of his upbringing and his mother’s death.He was lauded as “a people’s poet” for his ability to connect with audiences through his accessible language and unflinching social commentary.
