2014 York Literature Festival preview

IF YOU love books, writing and writers, you’ll be in for a treat this March. As we reported last week, there is a stellar line-up of names for this year’s York Literature Festival, which runs from March 20-31 at venues across the city.

Labour politician Alan Johnson will talk about his impoverished childhood in London; author and feminist Germaine Greer will try to puzzle out why the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s hasn’t resulted in more women in positions of influence; and broadcaster John Humphrys will be in conversation with festival director Miles Salter about his life in TV and radio and his love of the English language.

Former poet laureate Andrew Motion will read from his latest collection of poetry; scientist Professor Robert Winston will discuss science and medical ethics; and BBC radio 4 Poetry Please presenter Roger McGough will talk about his life, his work, and his part in co-writing The Scaffold’s hit song, Lily The Pink.

All this, plus much, much more – including a debate about the merits or otherwise of erotic novels such as Fifty Shades of Grey; a stage performance of The Iliad, Homer’s epic poem about the Trojan War; readings and performances by members of the York Writers group; a stage production of Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong; and a discussion of Josephine Tey’s book The Daughter of Time, which attempts to uncover the truth about King Richard III.

In fact, there’s a bit of everything in this year’s festival, says Miles in his introduction to the 2014 programme.

“For twelve days in March we’re filling York with the best words we can find about, well, everything. Richard III, World War 1, vegetarianism, erotic novels, poetry, history, politics, storytelling, Jane Austen, The Iliad, cycling, broadcasting, medicine and lots about York… it’s all here.”

Tickets are on sale now. Here is our pick of just a few festival highlights. For the full programme, visit yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk or pick up a copy of the festival programme from Visit York, York Theatre Royal, York St John University, Waterstone’s or York libraries.

Festival highlights

The Art of Short Fiction Friday March 21, 3-5pm, Temple Hall, York St John University

Workshops on how to write short fiction, with authors Nicholas Royle and Alison Moore (who wrote the Booker-longlisted The Lighthouse).

Free, but by ticket only, from eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-art-of-short-fiction-workshop-talk-tickets-8613690781

Fifty Shades of Grey: The Debate Saturday March 22, 9.15am, BBC Radio York 103.7 FM

E L James’ Fifty Shades Of Grey trilogy has been one of the publishing sensations of recent years, outselling ‘literary’ writers by a huge margin. 

Some critics claim the stories romanticise domestic abuse. Others, however, reckon the books merely portray the actions of consenting adults. BBC Radio York presenter Julia Booth chairs a debate between Hazel Cushion, founder of erotic publisher Xcite Books, and York St John University lecturer Naomi Booth.

Alan Johnson Saturday March 22, 7pm-9pm, St Peter’s School

A key figure in the Labour Party, Johnson is a straight talker who has held leading positions in government. But behind the success lies a remarkable tale of endurance.

This Boy: A Memoir of Childhood recalls the tough years that marked Johnson’s upbringing, including poverty in 1950s London. He lived in a house with no electricity and buckets of urine on the landing. Fast forward several decades, and Johnson is a hugely respected political figure. He tells his remarkable story at this special event.

• Tickets: £6 each from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Recovering Lost Voices: Writing Historical Fiction with Sophie Coulombeau, Monday, March 24, 9.30am to 4.30pm, Room KG33, King’s Manor, Exhibition Square

Following the Booker Prize wins of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries, historical fiction is firmly back in vogue. Led by novelist, academic and York resident Sophie Coulombeau, this workshop is aimed at aspiring writers who have a keen interest in the genre and an idea for a novel of their own.

• Tickets: £18.50 from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

The Iliad: Performance Storytelling by Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton, Thursday, March 27, 7.45pm to 10pm, York Theatre Royal

Two of Britain’s finest storytellers bring a mighty Homeric classic to the stage, with a cast of characters who have fascinated audiences for three thousand years: the haughty King Agamemnon; Achilles, the archetypal flawed hero; Helen, cursed by her beauty; and towering over them all, the omnipotent Greek Gods on Mount Olympus.

The story of the siege and fall of Troy is as relevant in 2014 as ever. This extraordinary account of a ten-year war, with its savagery and mad ecstasy, explores questions of nationalism, grief, divine indifference, and the destructive and redemptive forces of love. Suitable for children aged 12 and over.

• Tickets: £12, (£10 concessions) from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Austen’s Women Friday March 28, 7.45pm to 10.30pm, Studio Theatre, York Theatre Royal

Jane Austen created some of literature’s most celebrated characters. Two hundred years on, her works continue to speak to us as much as when they were written – so just how much has really changed for women since then?

In a solo performance using only Austen’s words, Rebecca Vaughan revisits some of Austen’s favourite women, deconstructing the souls of Emma Woodhouse, Lizzy Bennet, Mrs Norris, Miss Bates and nine others.

• Tickets: £12, (£10 concessions) from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

In The Heart of The City: Helen Cadbury, John Gilham and Julian Cole, Saturday March 29, 11.30am to 1pm, Quaker Meeting House, Friargate, York

Two crime writers and a poet discuss how the urban environment impacts on their work. York Press journalist and crime novelist Julian Cole has written several crime novels, including The Amateur Historian and Felicity’s Gate, which were published in the US by Minotaur Books.

Helen Cadbury is a York-based writer whose debut novel, To Catch a Rabbit, was joint winner of the inaugural Northern Crime Award launched by Moth Publishing in 2013. Helen is also a poet and playwright. John Gilham’s first collection Fosdyke and Me and Other Poems was published by Stairwell Books/Fighting Cock Press in 2010.

A long-time York resident, he is a regular at open mics in the city. In association with York Quakers. £2 from each ticket sold will go to the Quaker Meeting House Building Fund.

• Tickets: £5 from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Professor Robert Winston in Conversation with Leo Winkley Monday, March 31, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, The Memorial Hall, St Peter’s School, Clifton

Professor Robert Winston makes his York Literature Festival debut to discuss science, medical ethics, and his career as one of the UK’s foremost scientists.

Currently Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College London, Winston developed gynaecological techniques that improved fertility treatments in the 1970s. He later pioneered new treatments to improve in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

He now runs a research programme at the Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology at Imperial College that aims to improve human transplantation. As well as his work as a broadcaster for the BBC, he has written fourteen popular science books. He will be in conversation with Leo Winkley, head master of St Peter’s School.

• Tickets: £13 from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Germaine Greer on The Disappearing Woman, Thursday March 20, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, Royal York Hotel

Forty years ago it seemed that women were about to take their rightful place in the world; in Parliament, in the judiciary, in the workplace. But open your newspaper today and the news is still made by men in suits.

Germaine Greer attempts to suggest some strategies for change. This is her debut appearance at the festival. Early booking is recommended.

• Tickets: £13 from York Theatre Royal 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

John Humphrys in Conversation , Saturday March 29, 6pm to 8pm, St Peter’s School, Clifton

A familiar voice and face from British broadcasting, John Humphrys’ no-nonsense approach to political interviews has won him many admirers, and a few detractors. Tough and uncompromising, he has interviewed everybody from Mick Jagger to Tony Blair.

In this interview with York Literature Festival director Miles Salter, John discusses his Welsh background, his experiences in broadcasting, his love of language and more. Early booking recommended.

• Tickets: £13 from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or online: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk