“What will survive of us is love.”
An Arundel Tomb by Philip Larkin

Larkin With Women is an intriguing and illuminating play that explores the surprisingly complicated, interwoven and secretive affairs that, acclaimed British poet, Philip Larkin conducted with three key women in his life from the mid-1950’s until his death in 1985.

For all his talk of isolation, Larkin could have married any one of these women, but chose not to do so. Bachelorhood, it seems, was preferable to him, partly to avoid distraction from his art, but also - as many of his poems and letters suggest - Larkin felt that married life was too much of a song and dance. 

Larkin's public persona was that of the no-nonsense, solitary Englishman who disliked fame and had no patience for the trappings of a public literary life. Frequently morbid and withdrawn, Larkin was also a savage wit, a jazz columnist, and a major administrator as the Hull University librarian.

Larkin was also quite a ladies’ man! In Ben Brown’s clever play audiences discover who Monica, Betty and Maeve were, their contrasting personas and how they each gave to Larkin passion, intellect and devotion. Sprinkled with quotes from Larkin’s poems the play provides insights and revelations that are both funny, poignant and surprising.

Larkin With Women is a Bath premiere and will be directed in-the-round by Ann Ellison BEM with Brian Hudd taking the iconic role of Philip Larkin in this stylish production.

Tickets: £17 | Concessions £13