Cora Bissett’s Roadkill Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: actors, cora bissett, theatre
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If you’re in Edinburgh this August, one of the must-see shows is Cora Bissett‘s Roadkill. Cora (the talented actor who voiced all of The Lost Book’s female characters) created Roadkill through her new production company Pachamama. She directs the show, which had a successful run at The Tron in Glasgow in June.
Adam and I had a sneak preview of an early run-through last October and it’s a brilliant, powerful, disturbing piece. The audience travels with a young woman from Benin City (literally travels with her – the audience will be taken from the Traverse Theatre to a tenement flat) and sees the new life and job she has been promised turn into a nightmare. Cora’s research into the experiences of young women trafficked to Scotland makes this an immersive and convincing experience.
Press coverage is already positive – in Friday’s Independent, Roadkill gets three mentions in Alice Jones’ guide to the best on the Fringe.
Roadkill is on at the Traverse from Wednesday 11 – Sunday 29 August 2010 with previews Friday 6 – Sunday 8 August and Tuesday 10 August. If you get a chance of a ticket then grab it with both hands!
The Fourth Plinth! Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Events.Tags: bookcrossing, books
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But it was a very different Challenger who greeted us in the morning … His beard bristled exultantly, his chest was thrown out, and his hand was thrust into the front of his jacket. So, in his fancy, may he see himself sometimes, gracing the vacant pedestal in Trafalgar Square, and adding one more to the horrors of the London streets.
The quotation is from The Lost World – but Professor Challenger didn’t ever make it onto the vacant pedestal. However, BookCrosser Molekilby is on the plinth right now. He has 160 books to BookCross, including quite a few copies of The Lost World. He’ll be talking about BookCrossing and The Lost Book – and he’s got quite a crowd! Go, Molekilby!
Watch Molekilby live from Trafalgar Square.
Hello also to all the BookCrossers who have made it to London to support Molekilby. The latest list is: dirtydancer2, veganbob, gingergeoff, gingerpeter, Sherlockfan, lytteltonwitch, WishfulDragon, Vekiki, samulli, MissMarkey, Beqi, cyzaki, scarlett17, weebly, LyzzyBee, Candy-is-Dandy, Cassiopaeia, rahar109, Potok-fan and smallbluepebble.
Find out about music Monday, 7 September 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: Music, scottish chamber orchestra
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I know lots of you liked the musical side of The Lost Book and have enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpses of composers and players at work. If you’re like me it will have inspired you to find out more about music – and, if you’re in Edinburgh, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s 2009/10 programme is the place to go.
On 28 September there will be a “Masterworks” concert, where the orchestra (under conductor James Lowe) and presenter Paul Rissmann take the audience through a piece of music:
Paul Rissmann takes James MacMillan’s terriffic score Tryst apart before your very ears and puts it back together in such a way that the full performance that follows is all the more enjoyable and rewarding.
Tickets are £12 (£10 seniors, £5 students/children) and can be booked online at www.thequeenshall.net – I’ve already got mine!
And, the SCO and the University of Edinburgh have teamed up to create an evening class linked to the SCO’s concert programme. Siobhan Cavanagh (BMus PGCE MAEd) will guide students through music performed in the 2009/10 season. There also will be player visits, concert trips and a chance to meet new Principle Conductor (and curly-haired wunderkind) Robin Ticciati, which makes the whole package pretty unmissable.
The course runs on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, for 10 weeks from 29th September 2009 and costs £75 (£50 concessions). Book your place online at the University’s Open Studies website.
“From Where I Am Standing” Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: actors, twitter
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The lovely Jackie at Front Page Design has told me about a show worth seeing if you’re in Edinburgh tonight or tomorrow night. The show’s called From Where I Am Standing and is on at the Forest Fringe (Bristo Place) at 7pm. It’s by a drama group called Junction 25, for young people aged 12-17.
From Where I Am Standing is described as “A creative experiment in which Junction 25 invite their parents to join the goup in an attempt to create a show which explores the real dynamics of family life” – so expect to see Jackie on stage alongside her son Tom!
Follow @junction25 at Twitter.
West Port Book Festival Thursday, 13 August 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: books
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This post, unlike the previous one, is bang up-to-date. The second West Port Book Festival started today and runs until the 16th.
Check out the programme for all sorts of really good things – including Stuart Kelly and The Book of Lost Books on Saturday at 6pm, about which I’m rather excited.
Fringe happenings Thursday, 13 August 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: arthur conan doyle, books, cora bissett, story
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This post is somewhat overdue. Edinburgh is in the midst of the madness that is the festival fringe.
Lost Book guest writer Andrew J. Wilson has contributed to an exhibition catalogue for Madeleine Shepherd‘s amazing photographs of Scotland’s forgotten history of space exploration. (It’s possible that not everything in the catalogue is entirely factual, but I’m told that the most unlikely-sounding parts are true!) The exhibition is at fabulous independent bookshop Transreal Fiction in The Grassmarket until 31 August, so don’t miss it.
Andrew’s story “Under the Bright and Hollow Sky” is to be restaged for one night only on Tuesday 18 August (7:50 at Fingers Piano Bar) as a spoken-word performance at the Free Fringe. Sounds brilliant, and is part of…
Underword, a spoken word show on the Free Fringe that has events every night. It’s 19.50-20.40 at Fingers Piano Bar, Frederick Street, and is run by Gavin Inglis of Writers Bloc.
Andrew’s also the MC for off-the-Fringe steam punk club night Dreams of Steam, about which he says “This will feature strange music from Thomas Truax and Karmadillo, and there’s going to be a live three-part “radio” play right there on the stage. And trapeze artists. And Very Special Guests I can’t mention by name yet…”. It’s at te POOKa, The Big Red Door, 10 Lady Lawson Street on Friday 21 August from 8:30 pm.
The Paper Cinema are bringing their production of The Lost World back to Edinburgh. It was created for The Lost World Read in February and is a hybrid of puppetry, shadow-play and live animation. Fun stuff – every afternoon at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
And, Cora Bissett (the voice of Aileen Adler) is starring in Midsummer at the Traverse Theatre. It’s already sold out for the entire run here in Edinburgh – well done Cora and team! – but will be in Vancouver in September.
Literary Edinburgh Thursday, 13 August 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: books, city of literature
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Edinburgh folk – did you know that the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature trust has a new fortnightly bulletin of events in literary Edinburgh? To get a copy emailed straight to your in-box, sign up at www.cityofliterature.com.
The SCO in July Thursday, 9 July 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: Music, scottish chamber orchestra
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I’ve just got hold of details of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s July activities. They’re doing a new recording, splitting up for two separate tours of Scotland, and then will be at the Royal Albert Hall for the Proms at the end of the month.
Read on for all the details – and don’t forget to check out their blog SCO on tour. (more…)
Mutant Scum Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Events.Tags: writing
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If you’re in Edinburgh tomorrow evening, why not come along to a Writers Bloc event?
Mutant Scum
Thursday 2nd JulyWhat do the following words have in common: zipper, mad/max, hip/hop, agnostic, werewolf, mindbomb, tigger, brokenheart and zinc finger? They’re all names of genes.
Yes, we’re proud to present another night of literary mayhem featuring original stories that give the double helix an extra twist. Expect genetically modified footballers, an investigation of whether death is an acquired trait and something that can only be described as Gattaca for neds…
ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum Writers in Residence Ken MacLeod and Pippa Goldschmidt will be special guest performers for the evening. The show will also feature all-new fiction by the usual Writers’ Bloc suspects, of course.
Free drinks sponsored by the Genomics Forum for those who turn up sharp!
Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 The Pleasance, 7.45 for 8pm start. £3 entry (£2 concessions)
Lost Book favourite Andrew J. Wilson is one of the Writers Bloc comrades so we’re keeping our fingers crossed we’ll get some new fiction from him…
SCO – Highland Tour Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: Music, scottish chamber orchestra
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Another music post?! I’ve just got the details of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s highland tour in June:
The SCO are back on the road for two tours this month, kicking off this Thursday at Stirling Castle Grand Hall (SOLD OUT) and continuing the journey to the Badenoch Centre, Kingussie (5 June) and Ullapool Village Hall (6 June). Virtuoso Austrian violinist, Alexander Janiczek, directs a programme of Mozart, Dvorak and Gluck from the violin. He is joined by outstanding Principal Viola, and friend of The Lost Book, Jane Atkins for Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
Later in June, SCO Principal Conductor Designate, Robin Ticciati, returns to the Highlands with a lovely programme of Faure, Poulenc, Berlioz and Haydn in Strathpeffer Pavilion, Findhorn’s Universal and Pitlochry Festival Theatre (26-28 June). He is joined by brilliant SCO Principal Flute Alison Mitchell (who’s also been involved with The Lost Book – playing on the soundtrack and hiding treasure!) for Poulenc’s Flute Sonata.
For more information, including full programme information and ticket prices, visit www.sco.org.uk.
Flatpack: an opera in IKEA Wembley Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: Music
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This just in from composer Alexis Bennett:
Flatpack is a new opera about furniture, domesticity and the often baffling challenges that every-day life can throw at us. It is uniquely and innovatively staged within the IKEA store in Wembley. By performing in a public space during official store opening hours, Flatpack pushes back the boundaries of opera and seeks to attract both audience and unsuspecting shoppers to the work.
Follow the performers on their adventures through the store, watching their stories develop and intertwine as they move from space to space.
Dates: 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th June
Times: 7.30-8.45pm
Venue: Ikea (Wembley), Drury Way, North Circular Road, London, NW10 0TH
Performers:
Cath Backhouse – Voice
Matthew Kellett – Voice
Taylor Ott- Voice
Zachary Roberts – Voice
Alexis Bennett – Viola
Nichola Blakey – Viola
Carina Drury – Cello
Rebecca Lea – Kitchen Percussion
Laurence Mann – Accordion
Fergus Rougier – Accordion
Oliver-John Ruthven – Piano
Admission to the opera is absolutely free. More info at www.flatpacktheopera.com
Happy birthday, Arthur Conan Doyle! Friday, 22 May 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Events.Tags: arthur conan doyle, bookcrossing, books
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It’s Arthur Conan Doyle’s 150th birthday today!
As you know, The Lost Book is part of The Lost World Read 2009, a reading campaign celebrating this anniversary by bringing people together to read Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic adventure tale of a lost plateau, discovery and dinosaurs — The Lost World.
Today, we’re thinking of Sir Arthur by releasing books in his honour here in Edinburgh. We’ll be leaving 40 free books in public places for people to pick up, read, and pass on. All the books are registered at BookCrossing.com so we’ll be able to follow their journeys. There are copies of The Lost World, but also other titles donated by our sponsors Canongate. If you’re in Edinburgh, keep your eyes peeled and maybe you’ll pick one up!
(Read our press release about the anniversary and our activities: Calling all Sherlock Holmeses!)
UPDATE 15:20 – we have our first catch today! urbanbookchick picked up a copy of Lillian’s Story in Hillside Park. Congratulations, urbanbookchick, and happy reading!
Bass Notes and Love’s Time’s Beggar Monday, 4 May 2009
Posted by Helen in Events.Tags: books, cora bissett, Music, scottish chamber orchestra, theatre, treasure hunt
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I’ve got a couple of events to tell you about.
During May the highlight of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra‘s programme is the Bass Note concert, which includes a world premiere of Haflidi Hallgrímsson’s concerto for double bass. As you know, if you’re in Edinburgh or Glasgow you can win tickets to the concerts on our treasure hunt.
The SCO will be also be giving away free books at the concerts – the latest from our sponsors Canongate: The Changeling by Robin Jenkins and Lilian’s Story by Kate Grenville.
Why not go along? Full programme details are on the SCO’s website.
And, Cora Bissett (the voice of Aileen Adler) has a production on at The Tron Theatre in Glasgow at the end of May: Love’s Time’s Beggar – Stories of Love, Loss and Longing. Dates are 20-22 May, tickets £8/£6, and the box office number is 0141 552 4267.
Dublin #2 Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Posted by The Lost Book in Events.Tags: books, Dracula, Dublin
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This is the last week of Dublin’s One City One Book campaign, so it’s your last chance to take part in one of their Dracula events. You can: go to an exhibition at the National Library of Ireland (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, until 30 April), watch a documentary about Bram Stoker (“I Created Dracula”, Thu 30 April at 19:30, Donaghmede Library) or, for 6-10 year olds, take part in a Dracula art workshop (Sat 9 May at 15:00, Dublin City Gallery).
You can also join the online discussion about Dracula and Bram Stoker or download the reading guide.
The SCO in April Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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That’s the SCO’s page updated with highlights from their April programme. It sees the world premieres of Joseph Swensen’s Symphony for horn and orchestra ‘The Fire and the Rose’, inspired by T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets.
The SCO will be giving away free books at The Fire and The Rose concerts (on 03 and 04 April) and at Symphonies in C (09 and 10 April). The books are the latest from our sponsors Canongate: The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan and The Gargoyle by Andrew Davison.
Why not go along? Full programme details are on the SCO’s website.
Fugee Wednesday, 25 March 2009
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Cora Bissett (Aileen Adler) is currently directing Fugee for Dramaworks at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Performances will be on 26-28 March at The Chandler Studio Theatre, tickets £7/£5, box office 0141 332 5057.
World Book Day Thursday, 5 March 2009
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It’s World Book Day in the UK today! *
If you’re in the Oxford area on Saturday, pop in to Kennington Library where they’re having a World Book Day Celebration (10am to 4pm, 07 March). We heard about it from BookCrosser Molyneux, who will be running a BookCrossing table. Molyneux says “This event is being supported by local authors – so there are author talks and workshops, performing poets, speed dating with books for teenagers (interesting…), craft sessions and it’s all for FREE! There is quite a lot going on for a small library in Oxfordshire!”
You’ll also be able to pick up copies of The Lost World at the BookCrossing table – and find out all about BookCrossing while you’re there.
* Most countries hold World Book Day on 23 April. The UK likes to be different.
The SCO in March Friday, 27 February 2009
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I’ve just updated the SCO’s page to show what they’re up to in March. There’s Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, conductor Louis Langrée and 2008 Grammy award winning violinist James Ehnes. More information at www.sco.org.uk.
The SCO are also back on tour at the end of the month. This time they’re going to Eastern Europe. Follow their progress at the SCO on tour blog.
And, don’t forget, the SCO are running a soundtrack competition as part of The Lost Book. It’s open to composers of any age, so why not have a go?!
Alexis and The Early Music Experiment Monday, 9 February 2009
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If you enjoyed Alexis Bennett’s music for The Lost Book episode 1, you might like to know about a performance by his group The Early Music Experiment at the end of February.
The Art of Imitation
Saturday 28th February, 7.30, St.Cyprian’s, Glentworth Street, London NW1 6AX
An evening of music and more.
The Early Music Experiment is a collective of baroque musicians who also write and perform contemporary music. Founded in the Spring of 2008, EME is comprised of former and current students of the major UK conservatoires. The members of EME wish to express their wide-ranging musical interests in challenging and theatrical recitals in which harpsichords, laptops and toy pianos can co-exist peacefully.
Alexis has also been talking to Muso about his work on The Lost Book.
Lost World Events Friday, 16 January 2009
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The Edinburgh City of Literature Trust’s Lost World Read events leaflet is out!
If you’re in Edinburgh, keep an eye out for a paper copy. If not, download the front, events section, and information about Arthur Conan Doyle’s Edinburgh (or go to the events page).
There are some amazing events throughout February: film screenings, storytelling, discussions, activities, performances and tours. And birthday cake. Whatever your age, take a look at the programme and get your tickets booked (lots of the events are free).
The Lost Book is an animated web series where you wrote the plot.
