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...

Scotland, Spitfires, Secrets: Review of Kirsty Wark’s The House by the Loch at Durham Book Festival

Kirsty Wark is often seen on our screens fronting Newsnight, a programme driven by serious factual reporting, but readers know that Wark is not averse to making things up, too, as the author of two works of fiction with a third in the offing. Hannah Piercy was at Durham Book Festival to hear how she...

Resistance and Repetitive Beats: Review of Dave Randall’s Sound System at Durham Book Festival

From the Devil's Interval to rave to grime, music has always provided more than just a soundtrack to political events - it has actually changed their course. Martin Gleghorn is galvanised by Dave Randall, who appeared at a Durham Book Festival fringe event organised by People's Bookshop. Culture is a political battleground: it always has...

Listen to What We Say: Review of Miss Julie, Produced by Elysium Theatre Company

Strindberg's play Miss Julie caused controversy when first performed in 1888, with its transgression of class differences and gender norms. Kate Foy finds that a new production by Elysium Theatre Company continues to capture the difficulty of speaking across divisions in society. From the cheerful strains of homespun music that open in the foyer, to...

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...