Sir Tom's one-man show will raise funds for Larkin statue

The Bafta-winning actor will be performing a revised version of his acclaimed one-man show based on the poet's writings at the University of Hull on Saturday June 19.

Pretending to be Me, based on a day in the poet's life, premiered to great acclaim at the Yorkshire Playhouse in 2002, before transferring to the West End. One critic described it as a "rare, rich pleasure".

Sir Tom told the Yorkshire Post: "I've really enjoyed coming back to it because he is a very, very good writer.

"I admire him, he's a very interesting character full of contradictions and for an actor that's good.

"He says one thing and then says almost the opposite, which makes him so witty."

The new play, Larkin Revisited, seamlessly stitches together excerpts from Larkin's writings, poetry and essays, with an occasional linking line. Not surprisingly there's a couple of digs about Hull.

Sir Tom said his latest version had "the same jokes... just simpler".

He said: "I spent an afternoon with Ian Brown at the (West Yorkshire Playhouse) who directed it in the first place. Then I had scenery and lighting – now it is just me, a chair, a table and a cup of tea in one half and pretend alcohol in the second.

"I think Larkin was fond of Hull although he liked making fun of it – his biggest digs were at Ted Hughes and that's something I found and use throughout the show."

The programme director of Larkin25 celebrating the poet's life, Emily Penn, said: "We are really delighted that Sir Tom has revisited the play exclusively for Larkin25. Lots of people are really excited he is coming back to Hull."

Proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to the Philip Larkin Statue Appeal, which is raising 80,000 for the 7ft bronze statue to be installed at Paragon Station in December.

A total of 55,000 has been raised so far, mainly by public donations.

Twenty-five weeks of events for Larkin25 begin with a gala launch open to the public at Hull Truck Theatre from 2pm this Saturday.