Game of Thrones star talks chapter and verse at StAnza

Game of Thrones star Clive Russell shared his love of poetry at the StAnza festival in St Andrews at the weekend.

The actor, who has also starred in Ripper Street and Coronation Street in a long and varied career, was in conversation with Courier reporter and poet Richard Watt.

The Fife star spoke of his experiences on stage and screen and how his tastes in poetry have impacted on his life and work.

The Byre Theatre event was just one of almost 100 events taking place during the five-day festival, which came to an end on Sunday.

Among this year’s headliners were Simon Armitage and New Zealand’s first Poet Laureate, Bill Manhire, along with three poets making their first appearances at StAnza: American poet Alice Notley, Sinad Morrissey, currently Belfast’s Poet Laureate, and Ian Duhig.

Festival director Eleanor Livingstone said: “This has been another hugely successful run for StAnza … Attendance has been excellent this year, and while it’s too early to give exact visitor numbers we are confident we have met our expectations.

“2015 has been a fantastic festival for StAnza and while we’re sad that it is all over for another year we’re thrilled to end on such a high.”