Beautiful Circularity: Review of Jane Eyre, Produced by Blackeyed Theatre

Jane Eyre has the status of a classic nineteenth-century novel, so transforming it to the stage poses challenges of reimagination and contemporaneity. Hope Docherty admires Blackeyed Theatre’s current production, which uses humour to trace the transformation of a traumatic childhood into infatuated adolescence and, eventually, romantic maturity. This innovative and accessible production, directed by Adrian...

Navigating the Writer’s Ethical Maze: Review of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn, at Durham Book Festival

In his award-winning novel, Brooklyn, Colm Tóibín treats the theme of homesickness with empathy born of personal experience, but also a writer’s detachment. Yurie Watanabe reviews his appearance at Durham Book Festival 2019, for which this novel was the Big Read. Brooklyn is a deceptively powerful story of a young Irish girl who leaves her...

‘Tonight I see the fires of eternal damnation’: Review of Athol Fugard’s Playland, produced by Elysium Theatre Company

Coming to the North of England for the very first time, Playland, by South African dramatist Athol Fugard, presents a view of Apartheid, race, and reconciliation that Elysium Theatre Company have transformed into an immersive, poignant, and powerful production. Kate Foy reviews. From the moment the doors open, Elysium’s production of Athol Fugard’s Playland powerfully...

Not As It Seems: Review of the Gordon Burn Prize 2019 at Durham Book Festival

The Gordon Burn Prize is one of the most celebrated awards on the literary landscape, bringing attention to new fiction or non-fiction that challenges readers’ expectations. Dr Alistair Brown was appropriately surprised at the ceremony during Durham Book Festival 2019. Hattie, 93, lives on her farm in Northumberland, from where she worries about the property...

The Symbolic Violence of Books: Review of How to Make an Atrocity at Durham Book Festival

The archival collections at Durham's Palace Green Library include many historic books which, though beautifully designed and presented, can be used to tell a story of brutal violence, religious conflict, and propaganda. Nadia Terki took a tour with Professor Alec Ryrie as part of Durham Book Festival. Professor Ryrie started with an enlightening introduction to...