The Beckett at Reading team is happy to announce the following events, which will take place during Beckett Week 2016 at the University of Reading. Please note that registration is necessary for all events.
Lisa Dwan: ‘A Beckett Actor’
The Billie Whitelaw Lecture (Wednesday 2 November, 6pm)
Minghella Building, Whiteknights Campus, The University of Reading
Student / Unwaged: £2
Waged: £5
Acclaimed Beckett actress, Lisa Dwan, who has performed in Beckett’s plays across the globe, will speak about performing in Beckett and about her mentor Billie Whitelaw, Beckett’s favourite actress. Lisa met Billie when she was preparing for a production of Beckett’s challenging play, Not I, and Billie passed her notes from Beckett on to Lisa. We are delighted to welcome Lisa Dwan back to Reading, following her virtuoso performance of a selection of Beckett’s prose for performance entitled No’s Knife at London’s Old Vic Theatre.
The lecture will be followed by a Wine Reception, and the Launch of the Billie Whitelaw Exhibition, which will for the first time show items from Billie Whitelaw’s Beckett Theatrical Collection, acquired by the Beckett International Foundation last year.
> Registration and Details: http://store.rdg.ac/LisaDwan
Beckett and Politics Conference
(Thursday 3 – Friday 4 November)
Minghella Building, Whiteknights Campus, The University of Reading
UoR Student: £10 (1 day); £20 (2 days)
Student / Unwaged: £25 (1 day); £40 (2 days)
Waged: £35 (1 day); £50 (2 days)
Organised by the Beckett at Reading Postgraduate Group (BARP), the exciting theme of ‘Beckett and Politics’ will be discussed through panel topics ranging from capitalism and postcolonial Ireland to the politics of gender, sex and violence, and keynotes by Matthew Feldman, Elizabeth Barry and Daniela Caselli. All scholars, students, and enthusiasts are welcome. The provisional schedule and other information can be found here.
> Registration and Details: http://store.rdg.ac/SamuelBeckettandPoliticsConference
The Gerald Finzi Memorial Lecture: ALICE OSWALD
(Friday 4 November, 6.30pm)
L022 Lecture Theatre, London Road Campus, The University of Reading
All delegates: Free entry
As part of the Reading Literature Festival 2016, critically acclaimed poet Alice Oswald will deliver the Gerald Finzi Memorial Lecture and give a reading of her poetry. After the lecture there will be a drinks reception in the Museum of English and Rural Life. This annual lecture was established in memory of the composer Gerald Finzi (1911-56), who lived in Newbury and had a close connection with Reading. His extensive collection of English literature is now held in the University’s archive.
> Registration and Details: http://www.store.reading.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=2&modid=1&catid=247&prodid=3059
Mary Bryden Tribute Day
(5 November, 12-7pm)
Minghella Building, Whiteknights Campus, The University of Reading
All delegates: Free entry
A tribute day for the late, much loved Mary Bryden, Professor of French Studies at the University of Reading, and Co-Director of the Beckett International Foundation, who died a year ago. The day will start (at 12 noon) with a lecture by Emeritus Professor Jim Knowlson on Beckett and Billie Whitelaw. In the afternoon, there will be an academic panel which will reflect on aspects of Mary’s research in French Studies and Beckett Studies. This will be followed by personal and musical tributes from Mary’s colleagues and friends, and readings from Mary’s own creative writing. The event is free and will include lunch and a drinks reception at the end of the day.
> Registration and Details: http://store.rdg.ac/MaryBrydenTributeDayEvent