Plymouth Festival of Words Brochure

WED 3 MAY – SUN 7 MAY

P LY M O U T H F E ST I VA L O F WO R D S A STAR WARS ACTOR, A BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLISTED AUTHOR, AND THE ACCLAIM ED DIRECTOR OF ONE OF THE 1980S’ ICONIC BLACK COMEDIES – WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THE PLYMOUTH FESTIVAL OF WORDS? Building on the success of the Plymouth International Book Festival, Plymouth Festival of Words celebrates words in all their forms including literature, poetry, theatre and more. Launching Plymouth History Month, it showcases an eclectic blend of nationally and internationally renowned writers and artists, alongside a rich community programme coordinated

by WonderZoo and involving literary groups from across the city and region, and the announcement of the 2017 Plymouth Mayflower Young City Laureate.

The Festival includes celebrated film director and screenwriter, Peter Greenaway – and his stunning film, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover; highly acclaimed writer, Michèle Roberts who will introduce her new novel, A Walworth Beauty, set in Victorian London; international writers Fereshteh Ahmadi and Irenosen Okojie; and performances from Helen Chadwick Song Theatre; Joan Ellis and Star Wars actor, Michael Pennington; workshops by Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award creator, Cathy Galvin and a celebration of the South West writer, Charles Causley.

The programme also includes the Society for Storytelling annual gathering, bringing professional storytellers from across the UK to Plymouth for a weekend of storytelling through music, dance, interactive workshops and talks.

FESTIVAL DIARY DAT E

TIME

VENUE

TITLE

PAG E

Wed 3 May 18:30

China House

WonderZoo featuring the Plymouth Mayflower Young City Laureate announcement

4

Thu 4 May 16:00

Jill Craigie Cinema

Cathy Galvin: First Impressions: Short Stories and The Art Of Submission

5

18:00

The House

Fereshteh Ahmadi: Women’s Literature 5 in Contemporary Iran

19:30

The House

Dr Sam Willis and Prof James Daybell: Histories of the Unexpected Live

6

17:30

Jill Craigie Cinema

Michèle Roberts: A Walworth Beauty

7

18:30

The House

In Conversation with Peter Greenaway

8

19:30

The Roundabout Pub

Society for Storytelling: The Gathering

15

20:00

The House

Film: The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover

9

10:30 -23:00

Various

Society for Storytelling: The Gathering

1517

15:30

The House

Helen Chadwick: Harmony Singing Workshop

10

18:00

The House

Peter Randall-Page in Conversation with Matthew Jarron: On Growth and Form

11

20:15

The House

Helen Chadwick Song Theatre: War Correspondents

10

Various

Society for Storytelling: The Gathering

17

Fri 5 May

Sat 6 May

Sun 7 May 9:0012:30 Cover image: Peter Greenaway

14:00

The House

Charles Causley at 100

11

The Plymouth Festival of Words is a partnership between Literature Works, the literature development agency for the South West, Peninsula Arts at Plymouth University, Plymouth City Council (Arts and Heritage), and is supported by Arts Council England.

15:30

The House

Chris Tutton: Poetry Performance

12

17:00

The House

Joan Ellis: Died Blondes

13

18:30

Jill Craigie Cinema

Irenosen Okojie: Book Reading

13

19:30

The House

Michael Pennington: Chekhov in Siberia

14

3

WONDERZOO Thom Boulton · Plymouth Poet Laureate Simon Travers · Musician Nick Ingram · Writer and Compere Laura Quigley Jackie Juno Robert Garnham WonderZoo presents an evening of spoken word and a fusion of poetry and folk music with Plymouth Poet Laureate, Thom Boulton and musician Simon Travers.

The evening, compered by Nick Ingram, will include writers Laura Quigley and Jacki Juno as well as spoken word performer, Robert Garnham.

Taking place in the historic China House, a venue for many literary events, the evening will also announce the new Plymouth Mayflower Young City Laureate.

Wednesday 3 May, 18:30-22:00 China House, Plymouth £3, tickets available on the door only

4

CATHY GALVIN FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SHORT STORIES AND THE ART OF SUBMISSION Whether you are preparing to send your first collection to an agent or submitting to one of the many short story awards, you will find this event an invaluable hour of practical advice from Conville & Walsh literary agent Carrie Kania and the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award creator, Cathy Galvin. Cathy is the founder-director of the leading short story powerhouse, The Word Factory, and Carrie represents fiction and non-fiction writers, including Simon Van Booy, Paul McVeigh, Allen Frances and Giovanni Frazzetto.

FERESHTEH AHMADI WOMEN’S LITERATURE IN CONTEMPORARY IRAN A short story writer and novelist living in Tehran, Fereshteh is widely recognised for her enigmatic and mysterious psychological fantasies, including her first short story collection, Everybody’s Sara (2004). She has won several literary awards for both her short stories and novels, which include The Fairy of Forgetfulness (2007), Cheese Forest (2008) and Domestic Monsters (2016).

Fereshteh will be reading from her work and discussing its influences in the context of contemporary Iranian literature.

Co-presented by International Agatha Christie Festival (Torquay) and with the support of the British Council.

Thursday 4 May, 16:00-17:00

Thursday 4 May, 18:00-19:30

Jill Craigie Cinema, Plymouth University

Jill Craigie Cinema, Plymouth University

£3/£1.50

£3/£1.50

5

DR SAM WILLIS AND PROFESSOR JAMES DAYBELL HISTORIES OF THE UNEXPECTED LIVE As a curtain raiser for Plymouth History Month, BBC’s Sam Willis and Plymouth University’s James Daybell present Histories of the Unexpected Live, the charttopping, history podcast that features on Dan Snow’s History Hit Network.

Adopting a new approach to exploring our past, and moving away from the traditional linear plotting of battles, monarchs and political movements, Histories of the Unexpected argues that everything has a history. Sam and James electrify history for you, showing you how everything links in unexpected ways. It will blow your mind.

6

MICHÈLE ROBERTS A WALWORTH BEAUTY Author of 13 highly acclaimed novels, Michèle Roberts is best known for novels including The Looking Glass and Daughters of the House, which won the WH Smith Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Ignorance, her most recent novel, was longlisted for Women’s Prize for Fiction and her memoir, Paper Houses, was BBC Radio 4’s ‘Book of the Week’.

She has also published poetry and short stories, most recently collected in MudStories of Sex and Love.

Image: Michèle Roberts, photo by Viv Pegram

T H E H I S TO R Y O F T H E I TC H , T H E H I S TO R Y OF CRAWLING – AND T H E H I S TO R Y O F C LO U D S , ZO M B I E S , ZEBRAS, HOLES, PERFUME OR RUBBISH – THEY ALL H AV E FA S C I N AT I N G H I S TO R I E S O F THEIR OWN.

Michèle will introduce her latest novel, A Walworth Beauty – published by Bloomsbury Publishing – a sensuous and evocative story exploring prostitution and poverty in Victorian London.

Thursday 4 May, 19:30-20:30

Friday 5 May, 17:30-18:30

The House, Plymouth University

Jill Craigie Cinema, Plymouth University

£6/£4.20

£6/£4.20

7

THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER (1989) Dir. Peter Greenaway Running time: 120 mins Cert: 18 Cast: Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon, Tim Roth This film, notorious for its on-screen cruelty and power, put Peter Greenaway firmly in the public eye. With astonishing visual formality, costumes by JeanPaul Gaultier and a score by regular collaborator Michael Nyman the film is a visual as well as emotional experience.

IN CONVERSATION WITH PETER GREENAWAY Peter Greenaway is one of England’s true auteurs, and since 1965 his films have delighted, challenged and stunned cinema-goers. With remarkable works such as The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982), Prospero’s Books (1991) and The Baby of Macon (1993), Greenaway remains a vital voice in today’s sometimes staid and unadventurous approach to film. In this talk, Peter Greenaway reflects on the making of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover chaired by Johnny Mains, award-winning editor, author and film series curator for Peninsula Arts.

The wife of a barbaric crime boss engages in a secret romance with a gentle bookseller between meals at her husband’s restaurant. Food, colour coding, sex, murder, torture and cannibalism are the exotic fare in this modern fable, which has been interpreted as an allegory for Thatcherism.

“

If the most crass and sadistic people gained power, what would happen to the social order, to art and above all, to love?

New York Times

”

Friday 5 May, 18:30-19:30

Friday 5 May, 20:00-22:00

The House, Plymouth University

The House, Plymouth University

£6/£4.20

£6/£4.20

8

9

“

”

Chadwick... an exquisite find.

HELEN CHADWICK HARMONY SINGING WORKSHOP

The Guardian HELEN CHADWICK SONG THEATRE WAR CORRESPONDENTS

PETER RANDALL-PAGE IN CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW JARRON ON GROWT H AND FORM Hailed as ‘the greatest work of prose in 20th century science’, and inspiring scientists, artists and thinkers alike, On Growth and Form by the Scottish mathematical biologist D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson celebrates its 100th anniversary. Devon-based artist, Peter Randall-Page will discuss the influence of D’Arcy Thompson’s writing with expert, Matthew Jarron, curator of the D’Arcy Thomson Museum of Zoology at the University of Dundee.

Join Helen for an uplifting and fun afternoon singing in harmony. Helen has been running workshops of exquisite harmony songs for community choirs, actors and amateur singers in over 20 countries as well as at the National Theatre and across the UK.

War Correspondents bears witness to those who risk their lives in extreme circumstances in order to tell the truth to the outside world. Chadwick and creative collaborator Miriam Nabarro interviewed over 30 journalists working in conflict zones across the world, which were then transformed into songs.

Saturday 6 May, 15:30-17:30

Saturday 6 May, 20:15-21:20

The House, Plymouth University

The House, Plymouth University

£10/£7

£10/£7

Saturday 6 May, 18:00-19:30

Sunday 7 May, 14:00-15:00

£15/£10 Helen Chadwick workshop and performance

£15/£10 Helen Chadwick workshop and performance

The House, Plymouth University

The House, Plymouth University

£6/£4.20

£3/£1.50

CHARLES CAUSLEY at 100 Jen McDerra, CEO of the Charles Causley Trust, introduces the writersin-residence at Causley’s former home, Cyprus Well. She will discuss with them how the poet inspires them and the development of their writing.

10

11

“

A performer of great charisma and humour, his poetry is shot through with vitriolic wit Bath Literature Festival.

”

JOAN ELLIS DIED BLONDES Marilyn Monroe. Ruth Ellis. Infamous women. Famous last words reimagined.

What secrets did Marilyn whisper to Joe DiMaggio? How did Ruth Ellis justify her crime to the lover she shot, David Blakely?

Piecing together the latest theories, awardwinning writer, Joan Ellis enables two so-called dumb blondes to find their voice during her stunning solo performance.

IRENOSEN OKOJIE BOOK READING

Joan is the author of four acclaimed books including psychological thrillers, Guilt and The Killing of Mummy’s Boy – shortlisted for the Winston Fletcher Fiction Prize 2016 – chick lit, I am Ella.

Buy Me, and her funny yet poignant memoir, The Things You Missed While You Were Away.

Irenosen Okojie’s unique and highly imaginative critically acclaimed debut novel, Butterfly Fish deftly charts a dark, multigenerational tale of loss, legacy and inheritance. Selected by Booker Prize winning author Ben Okri as a dynamic talent to watch, Butterfly Fish traverses modern London, the ancient kingdom of Benin and 1950’s Nigeria. Her second book, Speak Gigantular, a collection of surreal and unusual short stories was shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize. Join the award-winning author to discuss reimagining lost kingdoms, cultural loss, diversity and taking risks in fiction.

Sunday 7 May, 15:30-16:30

Sunday 7 May, 17:00-18:00

Sunday 7 May, 18:30-19:30

The House, Plymouth University

The House, Plymouth University

Jill Craigie Cinema, Plymouth University

£6/£4.20

£6/£4.20

£6/£4.20

CHRIS TUTTON POETRY PERFORMANCE Poet, raconteur, maverick, wit – for more than 20 years Chris’ books and performances have beguiled, amused and entertained.

A festival favourite, he has appeared widely on radio and television, including Loose Ends on Radio 4, Shaun Keaveny on BBC6 Music and Mark Radcliffe.

12

13

SOCIETY FOR STORYTELLING THE GATHERING

MICHAEL PENNINGTON CHEKHOV IN SIBERIA In 1890, Anton Chekhov did a most un-Chekhovian thing: he battled 4,000 miles across Russia in order to conduct a survey of the penal colonies of Sakhalin Island. Michael Pennington brings that journey superbly – and shockingly – to life with a pungent one-man performance.

Pennington’s deep affection for Chekhov shines throughout the performance highlighting the intimate relationship that can miraculously bloom between reader and writer.

Michael is an actor, director and writer.

Most known for his roles as Moff Jerjerrod in Return of the Jedi (1983) and Michael Foot in The Iron Lady (2011) – director and writer, he founded the English Shakespeare Company in 1989 with director Michael Bogdanov. He has performed many memorable roles on stage and screen and is Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Sunday 7 May, 19:30-20:30 The House, Plymouth University

Join the Society for Storytelling, ‘the home of oral storytelling’ in the UK for their annual gathering and enjoy workshops, family activities, music and performances all based around the theme of ‘Change and Exploration’. A not to miss annual event that for the first time will take place in Plymouth.

For more information about these events, please visit www.sfs.org.uk.

F R I DAY 5 M AY 10:0015:00

Storytelling Workshop Discover how storytelling can be used in your setting, and practice your skills or learn new ones.

19:3020:30

Devon and Cornwall Tellers: Join innovative storytellers Alan Woollard and Lisa Schneidau for an introduction into storytelling.

20:3023:00

The Klezbians: From West Cornwall, the 11-piece band will showcase their own unique take on Jewish Gypsy (Klezmer) music.

DRAKE’S PLACE GARDENS

£20

THE ROUNDABOUT PUB

£16

S ATU R DAY 6 MAY 9:1510:30

Welcome and launch of the Annual Gathering

10:30 11:0013:30 14:3018:00

Free

Storytelling performances Experience storytelling performances in The Storytelling Tent, and visit the storytelling stalls in The Market Place.

CROSSPOINT ROLAND LEVINSKY BUILDING PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

10:3011:15

Devon and Cornwall Tellers: Enjoy the West Country’s finest storytelling with Alan Woodward, Moe Keast and Lisa Schneidau.

10:3011:15

Storytelling for Dementia: Abimbola Alao will share her experience of using storytelling to support those with dementia in Memory Cafés.

10:3012:00

Moving Bodies Workshop: Led by experienced choreographer, Lois Taylor, this workshop will help you to use space, gestures, body positions, placing and characterisation when storytelling.

£12

10:3012:30

Navigating the Digital Quagmire Workshop: Award-winning film producer and cultural entrepreneur, Denzil Monk, will illustrate essential processes to create, capture and share stories across digital platforms.

£14

£8 £8

£6/£4.20

14

15

11:1512:45

Cultural Diversity Through Storytelling Workshop: David Heathfield will share his experiences as a storyteller and how he encourages people to share stories from their own and each other’s heritages.

11:1512:15

The Music in the Words: Mike O’Connor, musical contributor to the successful Poldark series and Barbara Griggs explore the world of music in stories.

11:1512:15

Textiles and Story: Join textile artist, Diane Mullis and discover how you can use textiles in your storytelling.

13:3014:30

Society for Storytelling Keynote Speaker

15:0016:00

CROSSPOINT ROLAND LEVINSKY BUILDING PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

£12

£8 £8

JILL CRAIGIE CINEMA

20:4022:00

Odysseus Dreaming: A stunning performance by Mike O’Connor and harpist Barbara Griggs. It is a mix of powerful oral storytelling and beautiful music and song, from the team that produced the award-winning Return to Lyonesse.

22:0023:00

Late Night Stories

10:30

Free

Storytelling performances Experience storytelling performances in The Storytelling Tent, and visit the storytelling stalls in The Market Place.

CROSSPOINT ROLAND LEVINSKY BUILDING PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

Free

9:4511:15

Storytelling Walk: Who Plymouth Really Is: Join poet, author and experienced storyteller walker, Steph Bradley on a walk around some of Plymouth’s most historic areas.

MAYFLOWER STEPS

£14

9:4510:45

A Sense of Place Workshop: Sharon Jacksties, a storyteller for over 25 years, will teach you how to create an authentic setting for your story.

£8

9:4510:45

Storytelling for Beginners Workshop: Learn how to tell a story with skills, tips, tricks and tools for the young, led by storyteller, Terrie Howey. Suitable for seven years and upwards.

£8

9:4510:45

Discussion groups: Small discussion groups including the role of the Society of Storytelling; using the media to promote storytelling; contemporary storytelling and performance; storytelling clubs and the landscape in storytelling.

11:0012:00

Storytelling for a Better World: Join David Heathfield, experienced storyteller and explore how storytelling can make the world a better place.

11:0012:30

Junior Storyteller of Devon and Cornwall Competition: Entrants of the Mazed North Cornishibai and participants of the Storytelling for Beginners workshop perform and are judged by professional storytellers. Open to ages 7-15.

11:0012:30

Performance by students from the Contemporary Storytelling and Performance course at the Eden Project

Free

11:0012:30

Story Round: Open to all who wish to get involved in storytelling with an ‘open-mic’ format. Participants should put their name down before the event.

Free

11:3012:30

Discussion groups: Small discussion groups including the role of the Society of Storytelling; using the media to promote storytelling; contemporary storytelling and performance; storytelling clubs and the landscape in storytelling.

Free

14:0016:00

Words in the Park Bring a picnic and join us for an afternoon of children’s activities, poetry slam for young people and storytelling.

£8

Performance by students from the Contemporary Storytelling and Performance course at the Eden Project

£8

14:3018:00

15:0016:00

Mazed Tales: Hear traditional tales of East Cornwall sifted from old collections and re-told by local writers and storytellers through the community project, Mazed.

£8

15:0016:00

Hedgespoken: The Battle of the Birds: Tim Hirons of Hedgespoken, the travelling storytelling theatre, takes on the tale of ‘The Battle of the Birds’, originally collected near Inverary by John Francis Campbell.

£8

15:0016:00

Q&A with Grace Hallworth: Grace Hallworth, storyteller and author of Mouth Open and Stories Jump Out takes questions from the floor.

£8

15:0017:00

Navigating the Digital Quagmire Workshop: Award-winning film producer and cultural entrepreneur, Denzil Monk, will illustrate essential processes to create, capture and share stories across digital platforms.

16:3017:30

Stories from the Body Workshop: Join experienced dancer, choreographer and creative producer, Lois Taylor in this workshop that will provide tools to enable storytelling using dance.

17:0018:00

Co-tellings and Collaborations Workshop: Drawing on her experience producing, performing and directing theatre and storytelling projects with a variety of artists, Polly Tisdall leads a workshop looking at the possibilities and pitfalls of collaboration.

17:0018:00

Discussion groups: Small discussion groups including the role of the Society of Storytelling; using the media to promote storytelling; contemporary storytelling and performance; storytelling clubs and the landscape in storytelling.

£14

£8

£8

17:0018:00

Devon and Cornwall Tellers: Enjoy the West Country’s finest storytelling by Katy Cawkwell and Michael Dacre.

£8

19:3020:30

The Girl Who Came in From the Sea/Y Fenyw Ddaeth i Fewn o’r Mor: A reworking of the story of Branwen plus other stories with Tamar Eluned Williams, former Young Storyteller winner.

£8

16

£8

S U N DAY 7 M AY 11:0013:30

CROSSPOINT ROLAND LEVINSKY BUILDING PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

CROSSPOINT ROLAND LEVINSKY BUILDING PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

Free

CROSSPOINT ROLAND LEVINSKY BUILDING PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

£8

£4

£8

DRAKE’S PLACE GARDENS

Free

17

WellBeing Centre

BOX OFFICE OPENING HOURS

VISITOR INFORMATION For the latest information including any updates or changes to the programme, please visit www.plymouthfestivalofwords.co.uk.

TICKET INFORMATION You can purchase tickets online at www.plymouthfestivalofwords.co.uk or via Peninsula Arts Box Office: Peninsula Arts Gallery Roland Levinsky building Plymouth University Drake Circus Plymouth PL4 8AA T: +44(0) 1752 585050 E: peninsula-arts@plymouth.ac.uk Tickets can be posted to you, collected from the Box Office or provided as an e-ticket. We accept all major credit cards. Tickets cannot be reserved without payment. Seats are unreserved; a first come first served basis is in operation. We regret that it is not possible to offer a refund once a ticket has been purchased, unless an event has been cancelled by the organisers.

Concessions Concessions apply to Plymouth University students and staff, over 60s, unwaged, full-time students and children under the age of 16. Proof of eligibility may be requested.

SPiA (Student Participation in Arts Scheme) is exclusive to Plymouth University students.

18

Mon-Fri 13:00-17:00 Sat 11:00-16:00 Festival event days: 4 May: 13:00-19:30 5 May: 13:00-20:00 6 May: 11:00-20:30 7 May: 13:00-19:30 Any changes to these opening hours will be published on the Plymouth Festival of Words website.

Th House e

HOUSE RULES Admittance may be restricted after the published commencement time of the event. All programme details are correct at the time of going to print.

Plymouth Festival of Words reserves the right to change the programme without prior notice. Please refer to the website for up-to-date information.

PARKING Free parking is available on the Plymouth University campus after 16:00 (limited spaces and parking must be in a designated bay). Paid-for parking is available at Drake Circus Shopping Centre.

The Roundabout pub

VENUES Roland Levinsky Building Plymouth University campus, opposite Drake Circus Shopping Centre.

Venues on the ground floor of the University’s Roland Levinsky Building (RLB) include: · · · ·

Peninsula Arts Gallery Jill Craigie Cinema Theatres 1 and 2 Crosspoint

The House Plymouth University campus, North Hill, PL4 8AA Drakes Place Gardens North Hill, PL4 8AA The Roundabout Pub Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AG China House Sutton Wharf, Plymouth, PL4 0DW Mayflower Steps The Barbican, Plymouth 19

If you require this brochure in an alternative format, please contact Plymouth Festival of Words.

T: 01752 585050 E: peninsula-arts@plymouth.ac.uk Buy tickets online: www.plymouthfestivalofwords.co.uk ď‚ @PlymWordFest

ď‚‚ Plymouth Festival of Words