Welcome to the Living Literature Society

A NOVEL APPROACH TO DISCOVERING ENGLISH LITERATURE, HISTORY AND ART THROUGH OUR UNIQUE 'LIVING LITERATURE' EVENTS

Living Literature invites you to rediscover these great men and women in their original homes where their spirit lives on.

Charles Dickens Jane Austen Charles Darwin Rudyard Kipling Dr Samuel Johnson
Charles Dickens
Jane Austen
Charles Darwin
Rudyard Kipling
Samuel Johnson

Forthcoming Events

Friday March 19th
The Famous Fanny Burney at Dr. Johnson's House, Gough Sq. from 6.30pm
A fully staged solo performance by Karin Fernald based on the journals and letters of Fanny Burney (1752-1840). They offer a witty, perceptive and highly personal, a view of life in 18th century London and elsewhere. 'Full of lively humour and graced by the personality of the actress'. D. Telegraph. Private drinks reception and dinner afterwards at the award winning restaurant at The White Swan, Fetter Lane. Read more

Sat April 9th at 3pm
Hampstead Theatre Swiss Cottage.
Anderson's English

What happens when children's writer Hans Christian Anderson meets Charles Dickens at his home in Gad's Hill Place? This stunning new play by award winning playwright Sebastian Barry is directed by Max Stafford Clark. Meet the director and cast at private drinks reception. Supper follows.

Professional character actor John Tallents brings Charles Dickens to life in Dickens's library in London's Doughty Street.
Rebecca Smart (right) as Jane Austen and Barbie Davies as her sister Cassandra in
their play ‘Pictures of Perfection' in the Austen's family dining room in Chawton Hants

Bringing Literature to Life

One of the pleasures derived from reading great literature can be delving into the history and lives of the authors themselves. The Living Literature Society has been formed to offer its members unique informative and entertaining live literature events, many in the former homes of some of our greatest fiction writers: exclusive live theatrical performances or readings in character will bring your favourite author to life.

The Living Literature Society focuses on well-known characters in literature and history; authors of Victorian literature including Wilde, the Brontës, Trollope, Hardy and Disraeli, along with the literary greats from twentieth century literature such as Evelyn Waugh, Conan Doyle and Orwell.

Our events diary will be interspersed with a variety of quality, yet informal literary events, ranging from talks on modern English novels by well-known authors of 21st century fiction and non-fiction to walks and visits to the favourite haunts of the great writers and the characters that crop up in their novels.

Our team of dedicated professional actors will also offer a variety of performances in less formal surroundings from specially written monologues and plays to short stories and poetry.

Every event is catered to the highest standard, from an extensive buffet supper with wine (not forgetting coffee and pudding) to a champagne reception with canapés or traditional afternoon tea. The added bonus of joining our literature society is that you will be mixing with others who share your love of literature, history and the arts.

The Society is run in conjunction with Storyline Journeys, which offers top flight ‘living literature’ events for discerning overseas visitors.