Celebrate the legendary author of Frankenstein at St Peter's Church, located just yards away from her final resting place, with two exclusive performances.
The Bournemouth Writing Festival, in collaboration with the Shelley Trust, is hosting a special evening of performances and discussions dedicated to Bournemouth's iconic literary heroine on what would have been Mary Shelley’s 227th birthday.
Two specially commissioned performances from Dr Kevan Manwaring and Christy Fearn & Greg Gwyther bring Mary Shelley's life and works to life, followed by an engaging Q&A session hosted by Shelley Trust founder Katherine Edgar, exploring the fascinating world of this pioneering author.
Mary Shelley, buried alongside her parents and the heart of her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley in Bournemouth’s central Grade 1 listed church, provides an evocative backdrop for this literary celebration.
Taking place on Friday 30th August from 7:30pm until 9pm, tickets start from £15 with £5 concessions available for students and those on low incomes. Book before 15th August to receive a FREE birthday goody bag.
For tickets, visit https://www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk/networking-events
Performances:
1. Mary Shelley Unbound by Dr. Kevan Manwaring
On the anniversary of her birth, the spirit of Mary Shelley rises from her grave at St Peter's and roams the modern world, casting a cool, critical eye on it all. What will she make of us today? Writer and academic Dr. Kevan Manwaring (MA Creative Writing course leader, Arts University Bournemouth) takes us on a wild ghost chase across Bournemouth and beyond.
2. Mary Shelley – Mother of Monsters by Christy Fearn and Greg Gwyther
Who was Mary Shelley? How did this young woman create the original science fiction novel? And why, along with her other lesser-known works, has it had a life of its own, inspiring drama, film, music, and popular culture since its conception during the stormy summer of 1816? This dynamic performance reveals the truth behind Mary Shelley's prophetic writing and its relevance today. Christy Fearn and Greg Gwyther bring the characters to life in this incredible story.
Q&A Session – hosted by Shelley Trust Founder Katherine Edgar
Following the performances, engage in an enlightening Q&A session where you can delve deeper into Mary Shelley's life, her works, and her lasting impact on literature and culture.
For all enquiries, please contact Dominic Wong, Festival Director of the Bournemouth Writing Festival at info@bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk
About the Bournemouth Writing Festival
The Bournemouth Writing Festival is an annual event inspiring people of all ages to write in all its forms from fiction, poetry to the stage. Following its inauguration in 2023, the festival has quickly established itself as a collaborative platform for writers, authors, and literary experts to come together to learn, create and collaborate.
Regular writing events, writing groups in BCP Libraries and networking meetups take place throughout the year to foster a thriving writing community. Visit their website here: https://www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk/
About Christy Fearn
Christy Fearn is an author and performer. She has written and performed presentations about the Romantic poets at many book festivals and literary events.
She also performed in the Regency play 'The Weathercock' during the Britain & Greece festival. Last year she performed at the Shelley Festival in Bournemouth.
She recently performed her presentation 'Byron - 200 Years of Fame' in Nottingham as part of the 'Byron 200' events commemorating the 200th anniversary of Lord Byron's death. A self-confessed 'Byron nut' she has a tattoo of her hero on her arm.
Her debut novel, 'Framed' about the Nottingham Luddites, was published in 2013.
About Dr Kevan Manwaring
Kevan Manwaring is a writer, storyteller and performance poet. He is the author of Bardic Handbook, The Long Woman, Oxfordshire Folk Tales, and Windsmith.
The 3rd Bard of Bath and author of 'The Bardic Handbook', as a professional storyteller and performance poet, Kevan has performed live on BBC One, at Glastonbury Festival, Bath Literature Festival, Oxford Folk Weekend, Big Green Gathering, Bath Fringe Festival, Cheltenham Poetry Festival, and numerous bookshops, museums, and schools. Touring both solo and group shows, he has performed in Germany, Italy, Greece, and North America, and has been writer-in-residence in a Scottish castle and at a luxury spa resort on the Red Sea.
About The Shelley Trust
The Shelley Trust is a community-led umbrella organisation dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the Shelley legacy through the Arts, Heritage, Community and Education. Visit their website here: https://theshelleytrust.org/
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