Watermarks: Review of The River, Produced by Elysium Theatre Company

Through its watery metaphors, Jez Butterworth's play The River reflects on how our idealised memories of the past can prevent us from flowing with life in the present. Although a short performance, it feels broad thanks to numerous literary and musical allusions. Tom Bristow tracks these through the recent, brilliant production by Durham-based Elysium Theatre Company, directed by...

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Herd Mentality: Review of The Secret Life of Cows at Durham Book Festival

Having spent many years nurturing her herd in the Cotswolds, Rosamund Young has learned to appreciate the unique personalities of cows. Her book The Secret Life of Cows, which she recently presented at Durham Book Festival, argues that these intelligent animals speak to society about the need to rethink our habits of consumption. Barbara Dick...

Back to Back Poetry: Review of Michael O’Neill and Jamie McKendrick at Durham Book Festival

Michael O’Neill’s The Return of the Gift and Jamie McKendrick’s Anomaly are two compelling poetry collections. Though individual in style, both encapsulate the personal experiences that have shaped the mind of their authors. Aalia Ahmed and Lucia Scigliano attended their reflective reading at Durham Book Festival. Michael O’Neill’s reading incorporated a diverse selection from his...

Avians and Aviators: Review of Simon Armitage at Durham Book Festival

Simon Armitage describes himself as only an ‘occasional birder’, but his poetry is flocked with avian imagery and flighty themes. Dr Venetia Bridges spotted Armitage at Durham Book Festival, where he was appearing as part of our own Literary Birds conference. Although his main focus was poetry featuring birds, Simon Armitage’s reading at St Chad’s...

Loving Lies: Review of The Gordon Burn Prize 2018, at Durham Book Festival

The prize that commemorates Gordon Burn is a unique offering on the literary scene, celebrating the unusual and less mainstream, and books in which authors sit at the heart of the story. Alistair Brown attended the ceremony at Durham Town Hall during Durham Book Festival. ‘I love lies’. So said Andrew Weatherall, when host for...