Joan Bakewell latest in literary line-up
by The Journal
DAME Joan Bakewell will be in conversation with poet Jackie Kay this evening in the latest event organised by the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts.
The broadcaster and writer, who came to national prominence in the 1960s on the programme Late Night Line-Up, published her first novel last year.
All The Nice Girls draws on her experiences in war-time Merseyside.
Dame Joan is also the Government-appointed champion of older people.
The discussion will take place at 7pm today in the King’s Hall, Newcastle University. Tickets are £6 and £4 on the door.
The Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts doesn’t have a dedicated building, but is based at Newcastle University.
Its director is Linda Anderson, professor of modern English and American literature, and its remit is to promote and present world class literature in the North East.
Next Thursday South African playwright Ronald Harwood will take the stage at the Tyneside Cinema before a screening of The Pianist, for which he won the Oscar in 2003 for best adapted screenplay.
Tickets are £10 and £8 from the Tyneside Cinema box office on 0845 217 9909.
Among those also coming to the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts in the coming months are poets Colette Bryce, Daljit Nagra and Jo Shapcott (Northern Stage, February 19) and novelist Caryl Philips (March 22).
A full listing can be found on the website www.ncl.ac.uk/ncla . Tickets for most events, unless otherwise stated, can be obtained by calling 0191 222 7619.
Meanwhile the university’s Insights series of public lectures includes the rescheduled appearance of author and playwright Bonnie Greer next Tuesday. Ms Greer was to have delivered her lecture about contemporary black culture in the autumn. She pulled out after being invited to sit on the BBC’s Question Time panel with British National Party leader Nick Griffin.
The free lecture will be at 5.30pm in the Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University.
Former cabinet minister Shirley Williams will be the speaker on February 16, reflecting on her 50 years in politics.
The full list of speakers and events can be found on www.ncl.ac.uk/events/public-lectures .
