Dates for your Diary January - December 2009
January
Saturday January 10th
A Samuel Becket play produced and presented by John Calder at The Theatre Bookshop Waterloo
'Dante and the Lobster'
We begin 2009 with an intriguing and humorous autobiographical Becket play, produced by John Calder in the bookshop he founded. Calder was a close friend and confidant of Becket and published many of his works. Tonight he has agreed to introduce the piece to us. Drinks reception, 7:15pm,dinner follows at Paradiso restaurant close by.
Saturday January 24st
Pepys and the Playhouse
At The Anchor Tavern, Bankside
Our actor as the great diarist who in 1666 witnessed the awesome destruction of the Great Fire of London from this very tavern. He gives a frank picture of the intrigues and affairs (including his own) of the 166O's. How he wrestles with his conscience – and sometimes his wife- as he follows the drama of the Restoration Playhouse in the age of plague, fire – and Nell Gwyn.
February
Saturday February 7th
Meet Graham Greene
At Berkhamstead Collegiate School
Educated at Berkhamstead School (where he was born) and later Oxford, Greene was one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century. His influence on the theatre and cinema was enormous with almost all of his novels being brought to the screen. Drinks reception with canapés in the beautiful Old Hall (where a painting of Greene's father a former headmaster proudly hangs). Former House Master David Pearce knew Graham Greene and remains a close friend of the surviving family members. A brilliant speaker, David will divulge the fascinating background to Greene's time at the school and his onward progress to world literary fame. Dinner follows.
Saturday February 21st
Charles Dickens
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Fleet Street
Actor John Tallents treats us to another wonderful interpretation of Charles Dickens and his best-known works in this atmospheric eatery where Dickens ate regularly with his literary friends. The theatrical performance is preceded by a drinks reception and followed by top quality pub food.
March
Saturday March 7th
The Real Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes Hotel/Museum Baker Street
Tonight, we are fortunate to have West End actor Roger Llewellyn as Sherlock Holmes... The Death and Life. This fantasy is a light-hearted illustration of the battle between the author's intentions, and the rebellious personalities and ambitions of his literary creations. Playwright David Davies has spent decades sifting through Conan Doyle's work and has built up a detailed knowledge of Holmes, the man behind the myth. An opportunity to visit the house, which brings to life Conan Doyle's world famous fictional detective. Drinks reception with canapés, theatrical performance and dinner.
Saturday March 21st
Jane Austen Her life, letters and early works With Actress Karin Fernald
St. Nicholas Church, Chawton, Hants. Includes tour of the house in Chawton.
Quoting from her original letters, Karin takes you on an emotional journey from Jane's childhood to her life's end as you are introduced to her family, friends and the places she knew and loved to visit. Drinks reception with canapés, theatrical performance Followed by dinner. St Nicholas' Church is where Cassandra and her mother (also Cassandra) are buried) Jane is buried in nearby Winchester Cathedral.
April
Saturday April 25th
Oscar Wilde and The Black Douglas, Calder Bookshop Theatre, Waterloo
Written and presented by Lord Gawain Douglas. Gawain, Bosie Douglas's great nephew, tells the story that rocked Victorian England. from the other side, his family's side. Drinks, canapés and dinner optional.
May
Saturday May 2nd
Shakespeare's Kings & Clowns
George Inn Southwark
In his own one man play actor Michael McEvoy dons a different robe and hat or crown for each of the many Shakespearean kings or fools he plays. Join us at the only remaining galleried coaching inn in London for this theatrical treat. Drinks, canapés and dinner.
Saturday May 16th
At Home with Thomas and Jane Carlyle in Chelsea
Today the house is little changed from the home The Carlyle's lived in, cherished and entertained their celebrity friends. Thomas is a an almost forgotten genius but his guests included Dickens, George Eliot, Thackeray, Chopin and Tennyson. Evening includes theatrical performance drinks reception and supper with wine.
Saturday May 30th
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Ellen Terry Theatre Smallhythe, Kent
Writer and and journalist Tom MacAskill has written and produced this one man play on the life and works of author Bram Stoker. Best known for his semi Gothic novel Dracula, he was a close friend and admirer of Ellen Terry, 'Queen of the Theatre' who encouraged him in the writing of it. Preceded by drinks, tour of the house and followed by dinner.
June
Saturday June 13th
An afternoon and evening with John Milton
At Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St. Giles where the great poet completed his epic poem, Paradise Lost and began Paradise Regained.
The small Tudor cottage is a veritable time capsule and the sole shrine to one of the most revered of English poets. He was 57 and blind when he arrived at Chalfont St. Giles with his third wife and three daughters. Private visit of the house and welcome talk by the curator. Drinks and canapés in the pretty garden (weather permitting) and theatrical performance. Dinner follows.
July
Saturday July 11th
Byron - Poet and Romantic Hero. The Bookshop Theatre, Waterloo
George Gordon, Lord Byron was the great literary celebrity of his day, as well as a scandalous rake and seducer who gave his life in the cause of freedom. Actor Joss Van Tyler gives a specially prepared performance of the great poet. Drinks, canapés.
Saturday July 25th
Bobbles and Plum now at The Calder Bookshop Waterloo - Meet the author
Between 1904 and 1907, the young P G Wodehouse (Plum) and Bertram Fletcher Robinson (Bobbles) co-authored four satirical playlets. They disappeared into the archives until historian Paul R Spiring found all four and tells how be brought them together in his new book capturing two of the most talented humorists of their time. Drinks, canapés and optional supper nearby.
September
Saturday September 12th
An Evening with John Keats
Keats House Museum Hampstead NW3
This event originally scheduled for late June had to be postponed due to a delay in completion of the refurbishments. The LLS will be the first party to hold an evening there.
Become immersed in the life of Keats at the recently refurbished former home of perhaps England's greatest romantic poet who died tragically young. It was here that he wrote some of his best-loved poems including Ode to a Nightingale and The Eve of St. Agnes. Drinks reception, private tour of the house, theatrical performance, and dinner follows.
October
Sunday October 4th
Take Tea with Oscar Wilde
The Cadogan Hotel, Knightsbridge (where Wilde was arrested in room 118).
Join us for full afternoon tea in the drawing room and indulge in the playwright's favourite 'secret' pastime of tea-drinking. Then move to the Salon Oscar and Lillie for Wilde at Heart, a critically acclaimed production on the life and works of Oscar Wilde.
November
Saturday November 7th
An evening with Lord Gawain Douglas on T.S Eliot The Calder Bookshop The Cut Waterloo.
An authority on the poet, Gawain will give us a full recital of The Waste Land one of the most influential and important poems of the 20th century. Drinks and canapés first, supper follows at La Barca, an excellent Italian restaurant in the vicinity - Download Form.
December
Saturday December 12th
Celebrating Dr Johnson's Tercentenary
Join us at his former home in Gough Square and then enjoy a festive meal with wine at the nearby Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese where Dr. Johnson used to dine with his literary friends.
The Performance will take place in The Johnson Room.
The Scandalous Mrs Piozzi A dramatisation, written and performed by actress Karin Fernald.
On the later life of Samuel Johnson's good friend, writer, wit and mother, Hester Thrale.
On the death of her husband, wealthy brewer Henry Thrale, her scandalous second marriage to Italian Gabriel Piozzi came as complete shock to Dr Johnson who after 18 years of close friendship expected her to marry him. It contributed to his decline.
Welcome talk and tour of the house by curator Stephanie Pickford. Drinks, supper and performance at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese where we will be serving traditional Christmas fare.
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