View events from previous years: 2009 2010 2011
Dates for your Diary January - June 2012
January
Sunday January 22nd
Virginia Woolf - her Life and Art
A new Illustrated Presentation by actress Karin Fernald
A blue plaque testifies to the fact that Virginia Woolf used to live a few doors away from Fitzroy House, which is set in elegant Fitzroy Square in the heart of the Fitzroviais. Frequented by Woolf, Orwell and Dickens,
and a former home of George Bernard Shaw, this eighteenth century house sets the scene for an evening in Virginia's enigmatic world. In her illustrated presentation of the writer’s life and art, actress Karin Fernald
throws fresh light on this passionate author as taken from her letters, diaries and novels. We learn of Woolf’s entertaining frank confessions. For example, ‘I hate buying clothes. In particular, I hate buying suspenders,’
offers refreshing insights into the tribulations of smart London life in the 1920s. Drinks reception and dinner
February
Sunday February 19th
Wallis Simpson: The Story behind ‘That Woman’
A talk by acclaimed biographer Anne Sebba
Twenty-five years after her death, American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, continues to fascinate us as the most glamorous and vilified woman of the last century. ‘That Woman’, as she was referred by the Royal Family, became
a hate figure for allegedly ensnaring a British King. Tonight, Anne Sebba will talk to us about her intriguing biography, That Woman, which throws new light on this complex woman. The background to her research and her
interviews, and how she obtained access to archives and material never before seen. Wallis's love affair with Edward ended with the shy and reluctant George VI being catapulted on to the throne of England.
London. Venue to be confirmed. Drinks reception and dinner.
March
Friday March 9th
Women and the Victorian Underworld.
A fascinating discussion between historian Hallie Rubenhold and biographer Lucinda Dickens Hawksley (Descendant of Charles Dickens)
Author and historian Hallie Rubenhold and Dickens’ biographer Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, both steeped in knowledge of eighteenth and nineteenth century society, take us on a journey through London’s seedy underworld
of pimps and prostitution. We’re immersed into a bawdy world of Georgian rakes and into houses of ill repute, as Hallie and Lucinda explore the grime and extreme poverty of London’s low-life. It’s a topic dear to Hallie’s
heart, having written no less than three novels on the subject, including her latest, Mistress of my Fate. Lucinda, author of the recently published Charles Dickens, to coincide with Dickens’ bi-centenary, happens to be
a direct descendent of Dickens himself, is equally knowledgeable, having written three books covering the Dickensian era and given talks on Victorian society country wide. London. Venue to be confirmed. Drinks reception and dinner.
April
Sunday April 15th
‘I Am’ John Clare: Memories of the peasant poet
‘Reflections from a Madhouse’ and companion piece ‘Dear Johnny’ written and performed by actors Ben Bazell and Patti Holloway.
Rubbing shoulders with the great Romantics, John Clare ‘the peasant poet’ is best remembered for his great love poems. Clare’s brief stardom descended into obscurity and madness as he ended his days in an asylum. In this
dramatic presentation, Bazell tells Clare’s story through his poetry, writings and music. In ‘Dear Johnny…Love Emma’, Patti Holloway, as Eliza Emmerson (Emma), a good friend of Clare, relives some of the 200 odd surviving
letters (never before seen) that she sent to John Clare between 1820 –1838. This provides not only a personal story of a woman facing illness and isolation, but more importantly, another perspective on the character and
nature of Clare himself. Venue to be confirmed. Drinks reception and dinner.
May
Sunday May 13th
Roald Dahl - The man behind the tales
A new biography by Donald Sturrock
Missenden Abbey lies a short distance from the former home of Roald Dahl in Great Missenden, Bucks where Dahl’s ideas were shaped and nurtured into the stuff of unforgettable stories. The setting provides the perfect backdrop
to spark imaginations in an evening devoted to this best-selling children’s author. In Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl, Donald Sturrock, friend and recurrent visitor to the Dahl family home, gives a compelling account of a
man who reserved his joyousness for children and his bolshiness for adults. Drawing from his biography with never-before-seen letters, Sturrock provides the bigger picture of the real man behind these timeless tales. Includes drinks
reception and dinner. The entire event takes place in the beautiful house and grounds of Missenden Abbey Dinner inc.
If you would like to include your children or grandchildren here's a great opportunity to join in the fun at the Roald Dahl Centre nearby! We’ve arranged a special discounted afternoon entrance fee for Living Literature
members and their guests. Children of 10 and over would be welcome back for the evening programme at a specially reduced rate.
June
Sunday June 17th
Constance:The Tragic and Scandalous Life of Mrs Oscar Wilde, with acclaimed Biographer, Franny Moyle
Until the conviction of her husband in 1895, she had a privileged position in society. But then her life was eclipsed by scandal and she was forced to flee to the continent with her two sons. Having changed her name she lived
in exile until her death at the age of thirty nine. In this fascinating biography of her decadent and thrilling world, Moyle tells the story with a fresh eye and remarkable new material, drawing on more than 300 unpublished letters,
casting a new light on Constance and her marriage. Often presented as a hard and unforgivng woman, is more convincingly portrayed here as a valiant wife. It was Bosie who hurt Constance's reputation most by declaring her responsible
for the failure of Wilde's marriage. Moyle is at her best describing the tragic final years.
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