lancaster litfest 2013 brochure
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The 35th Lancaster Literature FesturalTRANSCRIPT
Litfest2013The 35th Lancaster Literature FestivalWednesday 16 - Sunday 20 Octoberwww.litfest.org
Welcome to Litfest 2013Lancaster’s 35th Literature Festival
It’s my pleasure for the eighteenth time to present Lancaster’s annual literary festival and a fabulous array of poets, novelists, short fiction writers and storytellers. If you catch sight of me at this year’s festival it will be as a volunteer, or as an audience
member enjoying the work, as I am moving on to new pastures. I leave certain in the knowledge that Litfest will keep changing and growing, always creating new opportunities for writers and readers to connect in interesting and exciting ways.
I cannot count the number of conversations I have had with writers and audience members over the years that have introduced me to new books, ideas and perspectives. That, of course, is the joy of a festival – the events are great, but it’s the conversations they spark that make the whole thing worthwhile. Thank you to all the writers, participants and audiences for helping make Litfest so very special.
It has been a privilege to work for Litfest; I will continue to support Litfest’s work and to advocate for the benefits of literature development and the arts more widely. I hope you will do the same.
We are grateful for the continued support of Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council whose funding and collaboration are crucial if the arts are to develop and thrive in Lancaster.
Enjoy the festival – it looks set to be a great one!
Andy DarbyArtistic DirectorLitfest
Funded by
Cover photo Jonathan Bean2
www.litfest.org
Nicholas Royle is the author of First Novel, as well as six earlier novels including The Director’s Cut and Antwerp, and a short story collection, Mortality. He has edited
numerous anthologies including three volumes of The Best British Short Stories (2011–2013). A senior lecturer in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, he also runs Nightjar Press and works as an editor for Salt Publishing.
“His books are a tonic for our jaded palates”Jonathan Coe
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £8/£6 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
M John Harrison’s works include the Viriconium sequence of novels and short stories and the Kefahuchi Tract trilogy, which consists of Light, Nova Swing and
Empty Space. He has won the Boardman Tasker Award (Climbers), the James Tiptree Jr Award (Light) and the Arthur C. Clarke Award (Nova Swing). His acclaimed rock-climbing novel, Climbers, first published in 1989, was brought back into print this year by Gollancz.
“Harrison is among the most brilliant novelists writing today”Robert Macfarlane,Chair of the Man Booker Prize Judges
Wednesday 16 October 7.30pm
M John Harrison in Conversation with Nicholas RoyleReadings and conversation from two masters of the uncanny
Wednesday 16 October 6.00pm
Freely AdaptedNorthern Broadsides Panel Event
Northern Broadsides’ new play, The Grand Gesture is ‘freely adapted’ by Deborah McAndrew from Nikolai Erdman’s 1928 Russian black comedy, The Suicide.
Chaired by Lancaster University’s Professor Alison Findlay, the panel will discuss the challenges and the process of adapting classic texts for a modern day audience.
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16Venue: The Dukes Tickets: Free but please book in advance as places are limited Booking: The Dukes 01524 598500 / www.dukes-lancaster.org
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Cover photo Jonathan Bean 3
Thursday 17 October 6.30pm
Moss Witch: Science and the Short StoryWith Sara Maitland and Dr Robert Appleby
Featuring the first single-author collection to spring from Comma’s science-into-fiction series
Sara Maitland’s much-awaited Moss Witch features 14 stories developed directly from conversations with leading scientists, each story fusing together cutting-edge research
with ancient myth or contemporary realism. As the laboratory smoke settles, we meet witches that can outwit botanists, twins who fight every day for quantum mechanical reasons, and scientists who fall in love with the birds they study…
The collection will be introduced by Sara and consulting scientist Dr Rob Appleby, a CERN physicist who will be discussing the four fundamental forces and conflicting theories of what preceded the big bang.
Sara Maitland’s first novel, Daughters of Jerusalem, was published in 1978 and won the Somerset Maugham Award. Novels since have included Three Times Table, Home Truths and Brittle Joys, and one co-written with Michelene Wandor – Arky Types. Her short story collections include Telling Tales, A Book of Spells and most recently, On Becoming a Fairy Godmother.
This event is supported by the Institute of Physics.
Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 October 8.00pm
Forced Entertainment presentsTomorrow’s Parties
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £8/£6 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
A playful, poignant and at times delirious look forwards to futures both possible and impossible
“Britain’s most brilliant experimental theatre company” The Guardian
Venue: Live at LICA Tickets: £13 / £10 concs / £9 Web Advance booking £1.50 off Booking: 01524 594151 www.liveatlica.org
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Venue: The Storey Tickets: £8/£6 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
Aamer Hussein was born in Karachi, and moved to England, aged 15, in 1970. A graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies, he began to write in the
mid-80s. His first collection of stories, Mirror to the Sun, appeared in 1993. He has since produced four further collections of short fiction, most recently Insomnia, as well as a novella, Another Gulmohar Tree and a novel, The Cloud Messenger. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2004. and is currently Professorial Writing Fellow at the University of Southampton.
“Quiet voices sometimes find it difficult to be heard. Hussein gives great pleasure to those who listen carefully. There is no sense of strain in the language and not a word is wasted.”The Telegraph
Alison Moore’s first novel, The Lighthouse, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2012, in the New Writer of the Year category of the National Book Awards 2012, and won
the McKitterick Prize 2013. Her debut collection, The Pre-War House and Other Stories, was nominated for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award 2013. Born in Manchester, she lives near Nottingham and is an honorary lecturer in the School of English at Nottingham University.
“…beautifully crafted, rendered in a lean, pared-down style that accentuates the stark content…”Metro
Thursday 17 October 8.00pm
Short Stories: Wide HorizonsWith Alison Moore and Aamer Hussein
Readings and discussion from two leading proponents of the short story form
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Friday 18 October 1.00pm, 2.00pm & 3.00pm
Afternoon ClassicsLitfest’s popular daytime lectures are a 40-minute introduction to
works of classic literature and a chance to hear the work read aloud
Thursday 17 October 7.30pm Chetham’s Symphony OrchestraWith David Threlfall
Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra returns to Lancaster with renowned British actor David Threlfall as narrator for a performance of William Walton’s Henry V – A Shakespeare Scenario, based on the Oscar-nominated score for Laurence Olivier’s popular film adaption of the Shakespeare play.
Venue: Live at LICA Tickets: £19 - £16 / £16 - 14 concs / £8.50 Web Advance booking £1.50 off Booking: 01524 594151 www.liveatlica.org
Thursday 17 October 8.00pmWhat Happens To The Hope At the End of the Eveningby Tim Crouch & Andy Smith with Karl James - Commissioned by the Almeida with Live at LICA
The story of this evening, one evening and any evening. The story of a reunion, a reiteration and an act of betrayal. A journey into the space between opposing beliefs; between action and inaction; between forms; between friends.
Venue: Live at LICA Tickets: £11.50 / £9.50 concs / £8.50 Web Advance booking £1.50 off Booking: 01524 594151 www.liveatlica.org
1.00pm
G.K.ChestertonJohn Coates
Chesterton’s blend of comic verve, intellectual sharpness and wisdom is hard to match. Author of over a hundred books in every branch of literature and a remarkable stylist, he challenged the pessimism and fatalism he saw around him.
2.00pm
W.B.YeatsCarol Coates
The voice of an Ireland rediscovering its identity, Yeats has a universal significance and appeal. He was a fine poet in every phase of his career which moved from late Romanticism to a spare and haunting expression of the post 1918 world.
3.00pm
Joseph ConradPeter Sampson
One of the great English novelists, Joseph Conrad was born in Poland in 1857. He left his native land, then under Russian tyranny, to become a sailor. By 38 he had retired from the sea and become a novelist, having mastered the English language. ‘The Secret Sailor’ (which will be read today) was written in 1910.
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £4/£2 concs Book all 3 classics for £8/£4 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
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Friday 18 October 7.00pm
Two Novels: Intimate Worlds With Evie Wyld and Alison MacLeod
Alison MacLeod is an acclaimed novelist and short story writer. She is the author of three novels, including The Changeling and The Wave Theory of Angels. Her latest,
Unexploded, has been longlisted for this year’s Man Booker Prize. She is also the author of the short story collection Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction. Alongside her writing, she is Professor of Contemporary Fiction at the University of Chichester. She was raised in Canada and has lived in the UK since 1987 when she took up a place at the University of Lancaster. She now lives in Brighton.
“Alison MacLeod is a strikingly original voice. Her stories create intimate worlds... and make the reader live in them with an intensity which is haunting, disturbing and above all beguiling.” Helen Dunmore
Evie Wyld runs Review, a small independent bookshop in South London. Her first novel, After the Fire, a Still Small Voice, won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and a
Betty Trask Award. In 2011 she was listed as one of the Culture Show’s Best New British Novelists. She was also short listed for the Orange Prize for New Writers and is included on Granta’s list of Best of Young British Novelists 2013. The list has previously included Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan and Kazuo Ishiguro. Her second novel All the Birds, Singing came out in June.
“It is no surprise that she has been included on every possible shortlist of talented young authors to look out for. Evie Wyld is the real thing.” Spectator
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £8/6 Booking: www.litfest.org OCTOBER
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Photo by Richard Matthews
Readings and discussion from two prize winning authors
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Friday 18 October 8.45pm
SpotlightOpen Mic Slam
Friday 18 October 1.30pm & Saturday 19 October 4.00pm
I, MalvolioWritten and performed by Tim Crouch
Tim Crouch re-imagines Twelfth Night in a brilliant one-man show that unlocks Shakespeare’s play and tells a timeless story of bullying, prudery and practical jokes.
For ages 12+
Venue: Live at LICA Tickets: £8.50 / £7.50 concs / £6.50 Web Advance booking £1.50 off Booking: 01524 594151 www.liveatlica.org
Friday 18 & Saturday 19 October Doors 7.00pm
Demi-Paradise Productions presentGhostly Tales
Lancaster Castle’s resident professional theatre company presents readings of four classic ghost stories within the Shire Hall section of this great historic building.
For ages 12+
Venue: Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle Tickets: £7.50/£6 concs Booking: Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle 01524 64998
Grab the mic’ and perform your way to audience acclaim and a cash prize (£60, £30, £15).
Places are limited so book your slot now by emailing:
Music: Plainview Compere: Simon Baker
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £4/£2 Booking: On the door OCTOBER
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Mic photo by Robert Bejil Photography
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Saturday 19 October
Poetry DayA celebration of the breadth and quality of contemporary poetry
1.00pm
Peter Didsbury & WN HerbertSeriously Playful
Enthusiastic & remarkable imaginations whose distinctive styles blend the esoteric with the everyday
Peter Didsbury was born in 1946 in Fleetwood, Lancashire. He has published four collections with Bloodaxe including The Classical Farm and That Old-Time Religion,
which were Poetry Book Society Recommendations.
WN Herbert established his reputation with two English/Scots collections from Bloodaxe, Forked Tongue, Cabaret McGonagall, followed by The Laurelude, The Big Bumper
Book of Troy, Bad Shaman Blues and Omnesia. His practical guide Writing Poetry was published in 2010. He also co-edited Strong Words: modern poets on modern poetry with Matthew Hollis and Jade Ladder: Contemporary Chinese Poetry with Yang Lian.
2.30pm
Nancy Mattson & Hannah LoweLegacy of Flesh
Poets who explore the rich vein of family roots with extraordinary poems of sensitivity and insight
Nancy Mattson moved from the Canadian prairies to London in 1990. She has published three full-length collections including Maria Breaks her Silence and Writing with
Mercury which explore memory, myth and history. Nancy co-organises the popular Poetry in the Crypt reading series in London.
Hannah Lowe’s pamphlet The Hitcher was published in 2011 by The Rialto. Her first book-length collection Chick was published earlier this year by Bloodaxe and is
shortlisted for the Forward First Collection Prize.
4.00pm
David Morley & Neil CurryElegant and Eloquent
The English language is alive and well in the striking and accomplished work of two masters of lyric narrative
David Morley’s latest poetry collection is The Gypsy and the Poet, a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. His collection Enchantment was a Sunday
Telegraph Book of the Year. He was one of the judges of the 2012 T.S. Eliot Prize and is judging the 2013 Foyle Young Poets of the Year. He writes for The Guardian and Poetry Review.
Neil Curry has lived for many years in the Lake District. Among his poetry collections are Ships in Bottles, a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, Walking to
Santiago in which he recounts his five hundred mile walk along the medieval pilgrim route and Other Rooms: New & Selected Poems. Forthcoming include The Fable of the World and a new collection, Some Letters Never Sent.
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £8/£6 concs per event 3 events for the price of 2: £16/£12 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
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Mic photo by Robert Bejil Photography
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Saturday 19 October 8.00pm
Simon ArmitageThe ever-popular poet and broadcaster, who always delights
Finely-crafted work mixing gravity and humour, inventive use of conversational speech and an eye for detail.
Poet, playwright and novelist Simon Armitage was born in Marsden, West Yorkshire in 1963. He studied Geography at Portsmouth, and Psychology at Manchester, qualified as a social worker and worked for six years as a probation officer. He is now a freelance writer and broadcaster and has taught creative writing in various universities.
Simon Armitage’s first collection, Zoom, appeared in 1989, published by Bloodaxe. Subsequent poetry books, all published by Faber, include Kid, Book of Matches, The Dead Sea Poems, Moon Country, Cloud Cuckoo Land, Killing Time, Travelling Songs and The Universal Home Doctor. His acclaimed and best-selling translation of the middle English classic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was published in the UK and in the US. His first novel, Little Green Man, was published by Penguin in 2001. His second novel, The White Stuff, was published in 2004.
He writes for radio, television and film, and is the author of four stage plays . He also received an Ivor Novello Award for his song-lyrics in the Channel 4 film Feltham Sings.
His latest book, Walking Home: Travels With a Troubadour on the Pennine Way, is a comic journey of self discovery and an account of the poet’s attempt to tramp the ‘wrong’ way up Britain’s most gruelling trail, the 256-mile Pennine Way.
Venue: Lancaster Library Tickets: £12/£10 concs Booking: www.litfest.org OCTOBER
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Penine Way photo by Peer Lawther10
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Sunday 20 October 2.00pm
Joseph Delaney and The Ghost PrisonDare you enter the spooky world behind closed doors at Lancaster Castle?
Join Joseph Delaney as he introduces his new book in one of Lancaster Castle’s atmospheric prison wings, the inspiration for his new novel The Ghost Prison.
Night falls, the portcullis rises in the moonlight, and young Billy starts his first night as a prison guard. But this is no ordinary prison. There are haunted cells
that can’t be used, whispers and cries in the night ...and the dreaded Witch Well. Billy is warned to stay away from the prisoner down in the Witch Well. But who could it be? What prisoner could be so frightening? Billy is about to find out …
Joseph Delaney is the creator of the Spook’s series, the first of which is to be released as a major feature film next year.
For ages 8+
‘This is the entrance to the Witch Well and behind that door you’d face your worst nightmare. Don’t ever go through there.’
Venue: Prison Wing, Lancaster Castle Meet in NICE @ the Castle (in the castle courtyard) Tickets £8/£6 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
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Sunday 20 October 8.00pm
BluebeardStorytelling by Cat Weatherill
Spellbinding storytelling from one of Europe’s greatest performance storytellers.
Bluebeard is a journey into obsession. Inspired by Perrault’s classic gothic horror story, it’s magnificently dark, erotic and creepy. But it’s also a celebration
of the resilience of women and joyously life-affirming.
In a fifteen year international career, Cat Weatherill has performed at every major literature and storytelling festival in the UK, and on national radio and tv.
“Cat is one of our great storytellers, vivacious and inventive”Michael Morpurgo
“A magical performer”The Times
For ages 18+
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £10/£8 concs Booking: www.litfest.org OCTOBER
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Wednesday 16 - Monday 21 October
Writer Portraitsby Jonathan Bean
Portraits of local, regional and national writers taken during past festivals and for Litfest’s Flax imprint, along with more recent writer portraits.
Wednesday 16 October 5.30pmExhibition Launch
The exhibition launch includes short readings from Naomi Kruger and Norman Hadley, two writers published by Flax, Litfest’s digital publishing imprint.
All welcome
Venue: The Dukes Foyer Free entry
A free ‘What’s On’ smartphone app for Lancaster arts activity including listings for Litfest First Fridays: every month, take a chance
on something new or submit your own arts event to [email protected]
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First FridaysFriday 4 October 8.00pm
Shahnameh – The Book of Kings
Storytelling with Xanthe Gresham
Aerial artiste of the spoken word, Xanthe Gresham, dives headlong into the wild mythology of Persia, to perform sections of Shahnameh – the epic masterpiece The Book of Kings by Firdawsi.
Magical horses, epic heroes, and consuming passions abound in this world of romance, lust, tragedy and war.
“A magical experience” The Independent
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £10/£8 concs Booking: www.litfest.org
Friday 1 November 6.00pm
Light Up the Streets
Take a stroll through the city for a unique night-time art experience animating our beautiful buildings and squares. Discover new stories along the trail, with a string of music, dance, theatre and film events.
As part of Light Up the Streets, Litfest have commissioned 40 new pieces of writing to form an immersive interactive installation in the dark of Lancaster Library.
For more information call 01524 582394 or visit: www.lancaster.gov.uk/lightuplancaster
Friday 6 December 8.00pm
Beyond the Firelight
Storytelling with Clare Murphy and Dominic Kelly
Is anything better than curling up by a fire while winter howls outside? But beyond the edge of the firelight, who knows who (or what) is peering in at the window?
Walk away from the safety of the fireside with tales that encapsulate the strange and dangerous beauty of winter.
Venue: The Storey Tickets: £10/£8 concs Booking: www.lifest.org
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www.litfest.org
Booking and VisitingUnless stated, please book at www.litfest.org
Travelling to EventsThe StoreyMeeting House Lane Lancaster LA1 1TH
The Storey is located in Lancaster City Centre, just 2 minutes walk from Lancaster Train Station (follow signs to the city centre). Paid parking is available around Lancaster Castle or there a several car parks nearby, the closest being Dallas Road.
Lancaster Library18 - 20 Market Street Lancaster LA1 1HT
There is no immediate car parking outside the library but there are car parks and disabled spaces nearby. For more details see www.lancaster.gov.uk/parking
Access InformationBoth The Storey and Lancaster Library are fully accessible to wheelchair users. If you wish to reserve a wheelchair space please call 01524 62166.
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.
Please check other venue websites for further access information.
VolunteersOver the years our festival has thrived due to the invaluable help from our volunteers. If you’d like to offer your support, whether working front of house or putting up a poster, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact [email protected]
Litfest The Storey, Meeting House Lane, LA1 1TH www.litfest.org E: [email protected] T: 01524 62166
litfestlancaster @litfest
If you require a large print version of the brochure please contact: [email protected]
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Date Time Event Venue
Tuesday 15 October 8.00pm Tomorrow’s Parties Live at LICA
Wednesday 16 October 5.30pm Writer Portraits Exhibition Launch The Dukes
6.00pm Northern Broadsides Panel Event The Dukes
7.30pm M John Harrison and Nicholas Royle The Storey
8.00pm Tomorrow’s Parties Live at LICA
Thursday 17 October 6.30pm Moss Witch: Science and the Short Story The Storey
7.30pm Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra Live at LICA
8.00pmWhat Happens to The Hope at the End of the Evening
Live at LICA
8.00pm Short Stories: Wide Horizons The Storey
Friday 18 October1.00pm/ 2.00pm/ 3.00pm
Afternoon Classics The Storey
1.30pm I, Malvolio Live at LICA
7.00pm Two Novels: Intimate Worlds The Storey
7.00pm Ghostly Tales Lancaster Castle
8.45pm Spotlight The Storey
Saturday 19 October 1.00pm Peter Didsbury and WN Herbert The Storey
2.30pm Nancy Mattson and Hannah Lowe The Storey
4.00pm David Morley and Neil Curry The Storey
4.00pm I, Malvolio Live at LICA
7.oopm Ghostly Tales Lancaster Castle
8.00pm Simon Armitage Lancaster Library
Sunday 20 October 2.00pm Joseph Delaney Lancaster Castle
8.00pm Bluebeard The Storey
Festival Schedule
Funded byAll details are correct at the time of going to press. We reserve the right to change the programme if circumstances dictate. Litfest cannot refund money for purchased tickets, except in the case of a cancelled event. Lancaster & District Festival Ltd, trading as Litfest. Registered Company No. 1494221. Registered Charity No. 510670.