DOCSLIB.ORG

5022 Friends Newsletter Spring 2011 V3:Layout 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
5022 Friends Newsletter Spring 2011 V3:Layout 1 Issue 72 Spring 2011 Quarterly Newsletter FRIENDS www.bl.uk/friends OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY Registered charity no. 328095 Library to charge for exhibitions Over the years the Library has mounted a Staff account for series of very successful major exhibitions some 70 per cent of and is now exploring every way it can the Library’s variable continue to provide these in the future. costs and the cuts The Friends actively support the Library’s will result in some exhibitions with grants. 200 job losses over the next two to While most Library exhibitions three years. It is have traditionally been free – hoped that this including the current Evolving figure can be English, see page 4 – a few achieved mainly major ones have in the past been through natural charged for, most recently the turnover and Henry VIII exhibition last year. voluntary This provoked a spurt in Friends’ redundancies. membership, as visitors were Spending on attracted to join by the free acquisitions will entry concession. This has helped be reduced from to keep our numbers healthy its current figure during the recession. of £19m to about Announcing the change, £15m, but even Last of the free exhibitions? Dame Lynne Brindley, chief with this cut the executive of the Library (pictured), said: “This new charging policy Library will retain one of the highest acquisition spends of any will bring us into line with the national galleries and museums.” major library in the world. Most of the saving willbe achieved by Entry to the permanent exhibition, Treasures of the British Library, reducing expenditure on duplicate and low-use journals. in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, will remain free. Says Dame Lynne: “We have fortunately been able to avoid As a result of the Spending Review, the Library’s grant in aid more radical cuts at this stage such as deeper cuts to acquisitions, has been cut by 15 per cent in real terms over four years and the closing the Library one or more days a week or charging for annual capital budget has been slashed by 50 per cent. Coming reader passes, but clearly we would have to reconsider these on top of a three per cent cut in 2010/11 – achieved through options should the British Library be faced with additional cuts savings in acquisitions, preservation and many other areas – it in years three and four, and/or our commercial and other income means that by 2014/15 the Library will be funded at its lowest is less than we forecast. This is a difficult time for the British level in real terms since its creation in 1972. Library. However we will continue to build on our impressive “I cannot hide from you that the level of cuts presents us track record for innovation and excellence.” with a huge challenge,” said Dame Lynne. “We will do all we can to protect frontline services but we have had to make some difficult decisions. We have identified the major areas for savings as staffing, acquisitions, facilities management and Inside this issue preservation. We plan to deliver 80 per cent of the savings in the first two years, so that we are ready to face years three and four in better shape.” Page 2 Volunteers needed Page 3 Grants Page 4 Evolving English Win tickets to the National Theatre Page 5 In the Library Page 6 Visit reports Page 7 New events See back page for details Page 8 Prize crossword Volunteers The subtle art of persuasion How our new volunteer work and I was looking for something else. I’m very involved in co-ordinator hopes to the Roundhouse in Camden: I’ve been a volunteer there for a recruit Friends few years and I’m also involved in a drug and alcohol support group for families. I wanted to do something different.” “The volunteers are the face of Jean-Anne’s last paid job was as a therapist but earlier in the Friends,” declares Jean-Anne her career she had been a sales assistant, including a spell front Ashton (pictured), who last autumn of house with Gieves and Hawkes, the Savile Row tailor. She took over from Frances Hawkins believes her experience of selling is relevant to the strategy of the role of co-ordinating their recruiting members: “We have to have a little bit of the shopgirl responsibilities. “Sitting behind or shopboy about us. We have to be able to communicate in the the desk in the Library entrance right way, but without being the second-hand car salesman. hall can appear a bit of a thankless Avoid the hard sell – most people don’t like it.” task because what you’re selling She tells how Don Pritchard, during his spell as co-ordinator, is something rather intangible. But if someone walks into the gave her a useful tip: “We have a steady stream of people who Library and sees two volunteers who are approachable and look come and take a picture of each other on that bronze seat near friendly, then people will come and ask all sorts of questions and the Friends’ desk. Don showed me how to get up and offer to that gives us an opportunity to give them a membership form take their photograph. At which point you start to talk, ask them and tell them a bit about the Friends.” The desk remains the why they’re here and whether they’ve been before. They start most consistent means of recruiting new members. to enthuse about the Library. I tell them I’m representing the Jean-Anne tells how she became a volunteer five years ago: Friends and ask if they’d like a leaflet.” “I was passing the Library and came in and was so overwhelmed: There are at present 26 active volunteers. In the long term I thought it was such a wonderful place. Before I came I’d had Jean-Anne would like to nearly double that number and extend the impression that it was only a place for crusty old academics.” the hours when the desk is manned – currently Tuesday to Because her degrees – in history and politics and, later, Saturday, 11am to 3pm. Some existing volunteers have increased therapy – had been gained as a mature student, she was moved their commitment from one day a month to one week in three, by the sight of so many young people using the Library for their which has made a big difference. She is looking at whether there studies, taking opportunities she had missed. “I found myself at are other tasks they might be able to perform, beyond manning the information desk asking if they wanted volunteers. They said the desk. they didn’t but pointed me towards the Friends desk. I told the two ladies there that I wanted to become a Friend mainly because I wanted to volunteer.” She is keen to talk to anyone who has a little time to spare. You can Within a week of signing up, she had been accepted into ring her on 0208 964 2292 or e-mail at [email protected]. the team by Thelma Leisner, the co-ordinator. “I’d stopped David Marcus dies Make the most of your membership David Marcus, a Trustee of the Friends since February 2008, died in January, Below is a list of the privileges of Friends’ membership – in addition to the aged 73. knowledge that you are helping to support a magnificent national institution. A solicitor by profession, he gave a considerable amount of time to voluntary Make as much use of them as service: as well as being a keen supporter you can. of the Library and the Friends, he n represented the Muswell Hill Synagogue Private guided visits to leading on the Board of Deputies of British Jews. libraries, museums and Christopher Wright, the Friends’ vice- collections n chairman, represented the Council at his Exclusive tours within the Library n funeral at Waltham Cross. Lord Hameed, Quarterly Newsletter and chairman, said: “David was a tremendous Exhibitions and Events brochure n asset to the Council. As a solicitor, he gave Comfortable Members’ Room us a great deal of help with the constitution with newspapers and magazines n and with the host of other legal matters Discount in the Library Shop n that registered charities are obliged to take Discount on lectures in the into account. He was a fount of ideas for Library n recruiting new members and his outspoken Discounts on outside cultural and positive approach always added events pleasure and interest to our Council meetings. We shall all sadly miss him.” 2 Grants Learning how to care for treasures Raised in the Bengali city of who had to submit a CV and a statement about why the placement Calcutta, Avijit Chakrabarti would be important to them, as well as references from their had never glimpsed snow in employers. all his 33 years. That gap in His very full programme covers all aspects of conservation – his experience was repaired documents, manuscripts, photographs, bindings and even works of art. in late November, thanks to One aspect of particular relevance to him is how to detect and control the Friends. damage from insects and other pests. Calcutta’s humid climate means that this a constant hazard. Avijit is the first of the Library’s Avijit spends his time In international preservation volunteers London working with and funded by a special Friends’ grant watching the Library’s experts, made possible by a generous legacy and attends lectures and from the late Isabel Haberer, a devoted member.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The British Isles
    The British Isles Historic Society Heritage, History, Traditions & Customs OUR BRITISH ISLES HERITAGE houses the countries of England, Scotland and Wales within its shores. The British Isles The British Isles is the name of a group of islands situated off the north western corner of mainland Europe. It is made up of Great Britain, Ireland, The Isle of Man, The Isles of Sicily, The Channel Islands (including Guernsey, Jersey, Sark Dear Readers: and Alderney), as well as over 6,000 other smaller I know some of the articles in this Issue may islands. England just like Wales (Capital - Cardiff) and seem like common sense and I am researching facts Scotland (Capital - Edinburgh), North Ireland (Capital known by everyone already. But this newsletter has - Belfast) England is commonly referred to as a a wider distribution than just Ex-Pats. country, but it is not a sovereign state. It is the largest country within the United Kingdom both by Many believe Britain or Great Britain to be all landmass and population, has taken a role in the the islands in the British Isles. When we held the two creation of the UK, and its capital London is also the Heritage Festivals we could not call it a British capital of the UK. Festival because it included, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. The Republic of Ireland (EIRE) Republic of What is the Difference between Britain and the Ireland is part of the British Isles, its people are not United Kingdom? British, they are distinctly Irish. It’s capital is Dublin.
    [Show full text]
  • BBC Voices Recordings: Nottingham [Meadows]
    BBC VOICES RECORDINGS http://sounds.bl.uk Title: Nottingham Shelfmark: C1190/26/05 Recording date: 17.11.2004 Speakers: Amelia, b. 1963; Nottingham; female (father b. St Kitts; mother b. St Kitts) Lauren, b. 1989; Nottingham; female; school student Rosalind, b. 1964; Nottingham; female (father b. St Kitts; mother b. St Kitts) Valerie, b. 1965; Nottingham; female (father b. St Kitts; mother b. St Kitts) Amelia, Rosalind and Valerie are sisters whose parents came to the UK from St Kitts in the 1950s; Lauren is their niece. ELICITED LEXIS ○ see English Dialect Dictionary (1898-1905) ▲see Dictionary of Jamaican English (1980) ● see Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (1996) ♠ see Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago (2009) ▼ see Ey Up Mi Duck! Dialect of Derbyshire and the East Midlands (2000) ∆ see New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (2006) ◊ see Green’s Dictionary of Slang (2010) ♦ see Urban Dictionary (online) ⌂ no previous source (with this sense) identified pleased (not discussed) tired (not discussed) unwell sick; “me na feel too good”1 (used by mother/older black speakers) hot (not discussed) cold (not discussed) annoyed (not discussed) throw (not discussed) 1 See Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (1996, p.407) for use of ‘no/na’ as negative marker in Caribbean English and for spelling of markedly dialectal/Creole pronunciations, e.g. the (<de>), there (<deh>). http://sounds.bl.uk Page 1 of 27 BBC Voices Recordings play truant skive; nick off∆; skank◊; wag, wag off school, wag off (suggested
    [Show full text]
  • Of 4 07/12/2015
    ALLERGEN INFORMATION FOR WATERFIELDS PRODUCTS - allergens present are marked with a NETHERTON All Waterfields products may contain any of the following allergens (with the exception of molluscs) as they are handled at the bakery. CEREALS Code Category Description NUTS CONTAINING GLUTEN EGG FISH MILK SOYA LUPIN CELERY SESAME (not on site) PEANUTS MOLLUSCS MUSTARD SULPHITES CRUSTACEANS 34 Bread Crown Cob wheat 3 Bread Devon Split Large wheat 33 Bread Devon Split Small wheat 85 Bread Farl wheat, oats 32 Bread Farmhouse wheat 20 Bread Harvester Large wheat, barley, rye 84 Bread Harvester Small wheat, barley, rye 86 Bread Hovis wheat 2 Bread London Loaf wheat 107 Bread Low G.I. Bread Large wheat, oats, rye 48 Bread Low G.I. Bread Sliced wheat, oats, rye 42 Bread Low G.I. Bread Small wheat, oats, rye 14 Bread Malted Flake Bloomer wheat, oats, rye 71 Bread Milk Roll wheat 88 Bread Multigrain wheat, barley, rye 41 Bread Rural wheat 16 Bread White Bloomer wheat 1 Bread White Tin Large wheat 31 Bread White Tin Small wheat 53 Bread Wholemeal wheat 782 Buffet Buffet Chocolate Surprise 774 Buffet Buffet Choux Bun wheat almonds 773 Buffet Buffet Cream Crisp wheat 778 Buffet Buffet Cream Meringue Nest almonds 786 Buffet Buffet Cream Scone wheat 775 Buffet Buffet Éclair wheat 777 Buffet Buffet Millefeuille wheat 776 Buffet Buffet Vanilla Slice wheat 500 Cream Apple Turnover wheat 467 Cream Caramel Doughnut wheat 501 Cream Cream Crisp wheat 481 Cream Cream Doughnut
    [Show full text]
  • Fleabag’ from London’S West End Expands Distribution in U.S
    MEDIA ALERT – September 20, 2019 ‘Fleabag’ from London’s West End Expands Distribution in U.S. Cinemas Monday, November 18 for One Night See the critically acclaimed, award-winning one woman show that inspired the network series with BAFTA winner and Emmy nominee Phoebe Waller-Bridge • WHAT: Fathom Events, BY Experience and National Theatre Live release “Fleabag” in cinemas on Monday, November 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. local time, captured live from Wyndham’s Theatre London during its sell out West End run. • WHERE: Tickets for these events can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the events in nearly 500 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). • WHO: Fathom Events, BY Experience and National Theatre Live “Filthy, funny, snarky and touching” Daily Telegraph “Witty, filthy and supreme” The Guardian “Gloriously Disruptive. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a name to reckon with” The New York Times Fleabag Written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life. Fleabag may appear emotionally unfiltered and oversexed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With family and friendships under strain and a guinea pig café struggling to keep afloat, Fleabag suddenly finds herself with nothing to lose. Fleabag was adapted into a BBC Three Television series in partnership with Amazon Prime Video in 2016 and earned Phoebe a BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance.
    [Show full text]
  • Pikestaff 26
    Pikestaff 26 Plain Language Commission newsletter no. 26, April 2009 Plain Language Commission news New articles on clear writing and speaking Our research director, Martin Cutts, is writing a series of 3 articles for The Ombudsman, the newsletter of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association (BIOA). In the first – now on the Articles page of our website (www.clearest.co.uk/files/LongSentencesMeanHardLabour.pdf) – Martin offers tips on writing clearer letters, in particular keeping sentences short. Though the articles relate to Ombudsman work, they’re relevant to many kinds of public writing. In another article published on the website of the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), our associate Sarah Carr looks at the art of plain speaking and asks: ‘You may be used to writing in plain English, but can you speak plainly too? If not, you risk confusing or boring your listeners.’ Read the full article, which draws on examples from the Romans to modern politicians – including Barack Obama – not to mention Jack Sparrow, star of Pirates of the Caribbean, on our website or at http://www.idea.gov.uk /idk/core/page.do?pageId=9534169. Plain-language wizards to confabulate in Oz Australia’s Plain English Foundation is hosting the seventh 2-yearly conference of the Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) from 15–17 October 2009. Aimed at government, industry and plain-language practitioners from Australia and around the world, the conference will focus on how plain language is improving services and saving money in government, industry, the law, medicine, engineering and finance. The conference title – Raising the Standard – reflects the ongoing work of the International Plain Language Working Group, which is looking at plain- language standards, the development of a plain-language institute, and accreditation and training for plain-language practitioners.
    [Show full text]
  • Editor's Comment
    July 2010 www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk 1 2 www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk July 2010 Editor Gary Skentelbery Production Paul Walker Editor’s Comment Advertising IS Warrington town centre the place to build a new £6 million James Balme ‘world class’ youth centre during these tough economic times? Tony Record Members of the borough council's No doubt their parents - particularly Freephone executive board think so - and believe those who live in the outer areas of the whole character of the town centre 0800 955 5247 the concept to be "exciting". borough - would have similar sufQciently to make it a suitable place Editorial Fifty four per cent of young people concerns. for our young people up to 10pm. 01925 623631 consulted say their ideal youth We are all in favour of Warrington We also mustn’t forget that provision would be located in the having a world-class youth facility but Email Warrington already has an excellent town centre and 76 per cent say they we would have thought the town youth facility based at the info@warrington- would use a town centre youth centre, with its unfortunate reputation, worldwide.co.uk provision if one existed. was the last place it should be internationally renowed Peace Centre, Many businesses and voluntary located. which is already home to Warrington Websites Youth club and the Warrington www.culchethlife.com groups are also enthusiastic and want It will be two or three years before to be involved - apparently even to the Foundation4Peace charity, as well as www.frodshamlife.co.uk the "Youth Zone" is likely to be built.
    [Show full text]
  • The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy : Which Far Exceeds Any Thing
    A 4 * R T O F o O K E R % Made P L A I N and EASY} Which fey exceeds any Thing of the Kind ever yet Publifhed* HI «. ■ s. CONTAINING, I Of Roafling, Boiling, bfc* XIII. To Pot and Make Hams, &c. II. Of Made-Diihes. XIV. Of Pickling. III. Read this Chaptef^and you will find how XV. Of Making Cakes, &c. Exptnftve a French Cook’s Sauce is. XVI. Of Chcefecakes, Creams, Jellies, Whip IV. To make a Number of pretty little Diflies Jit., Syllabubs, &c. for Suppei, or Side Difh, and little Corner- XVII. Of Made Wines, Bfewing, French Bread, Dilyes Jo r a great Table j and the reft you have Muffins, ISc. p in 'tfleChapteJ V Lent. XVIII. Jarring Cherries, and Preferves, &c. -f V. To dreft Fifh. XIX. To Makie Anchovies, Vermicella, Ketchup, VI. Of Soops and Broths-* Vinegar, and to keep Artichokes, French- VII. Of Puddings. Beans, &c. ' — » VIII. Of Pies. XX. Of Diftilling. IX. For a Faft-Dinner, a Number of good Diflies, XXI. How to Market, and the Seafons of the which you may make ufe for a Table at any Year for Butcher’s Meat, Poultry, Fifh, Herbs, other Time. Roots, &c. and Fruit. X- Directions for the Sick, XXII. A certain Cure for the Bite of a Mad Dog,. XI. For Captains of Ships. By Dr. Mead. XII. Of Hog’s Puddings, Saufages, &c. -a 4=4. LONDON: k Printed for- the Author ; and fb?d at Mrs. /Ijhburn's, a China-Shop, the Corner of Fleet-Ditch.
    [Show full text]
  • Writing Figures of Political Resistance for the British Stage Vol1.Pdf
    Writing Figures of Political Resistance for the British Stage Volume One (of Two) Matthew John Midgley PhD University of York Theatre, Film and Television September 2015 Writing Figures of Resistance for the British Stage Abstract This thesis explores the process of writing figures of political resistance for the British stage prior to and during the neoliberal era (1980 to the present). The work of established political playwrights is examined in relation to the socio-political context in which it was produced, providing insights into the challenges playwrights have faced in creating characters who effectively resist the status quo. These challenges are contextualised by Britain’s imperial history and the UK’s ongoing participation in newer forms of imperialism, the pressures of neoliberalism on the arts, and widespread political disengagement. These insights inform reflexive analysis of my own playwriting. Chapter One provides an account of the changing strategies and dramaturgy of oppositional playwriting from 1956 to the present, considering the strengths of different approaches to creating figures of political resistance and my response to them. Three models of resistance are considered in Chapter Two: that of the individual, the collective, and documentary resistance. Each model provides a framework through which to analyse figures of resistance in plays and evaluate the strategies of established playwrights in negotiating creative challenges. These models are developed through subsequent chapters focussed upon the subjects tackled in my plays. Chapter Three looks at climate change and plays responding to it in reflecting upon my creative process in The Ends. Chapter Four explores resistance to the Iraq War, my own military experience and the challenge of writing autobiographically.
    [Show full text]
  • Linda by Penelope Skinner and the Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm Performance Reviews
    Miranda Revue pluridisciplinaire du monde anglophone / Multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal on the English- speaking world 13 | 2016 Thomas Spence and his Legacy: Bicentennial Perspectives Linda by Penelope Skinner and The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm Performance reviews William C. Boles Electronic version URL: http://journals.openedition.org/miranda/9420 DOI: 10.4000/miranda.9420 ISSN: 2108-6559 Publisher Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès Electronic reference William C. Boles, “Linda by Penelope Skinner and The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm ”, Miranda [Online], 13 | 2016, Online since 23 November 2016, connection on 16 February 2021. URL: http:// journals.openedition.org/miranda/9420 ; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/miranda.9420 This text was automatically generated on 16 February 2021. Miranda is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Linda by Penelope Skinner and The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm 1 Linda by Penelope Skinner and The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm Performance reviews William C. Boles Factual information about the shows 1 Play : Linda by Penelope Skinner Place : Royal Court Theatre Downstairs (London) Running time : November, 29th, 2015-January, 9th, 2016 Director : Michael Longhurst Set Designer : Es Devlin Costume Designer : Alex Lowde Lighting Designer : Lee Curran Composer and Sound Designer : Richard Hammarton Video Designer : Luke Halls Movement Director : Imogen Knight Cast : Imogen Byron, Karla Crome, Jaz Deol, NomaDumezweni, Amy Beth Hayes, Dominic Mafham,
    [Show full text]
  • The Tithe Barn Browsholme Hall, Forest of Bowland
    The Tithe Barn Browsholme Hall, Forest of Bowland A new, exclusive wedding venue in the heart of the Kingdom The Tithe Barn at Browsholme Built in 1507 and steeped in history, Browsholme Hall is the oldest surviving family home in Lancashire. Close to the house itself and enjoying the same lovely rural setting, the 17C stone Tithe Barn has been restored and converted into a unique new venue for weddings and receptions for 120 - 200 guests. Beautiful, traditional features such as exposed stone, oak beams and flagstone floors provide two magnificent spaces which can either be used together or on their own. Into the conversion the latest design innovations in lighting, video, sound systems and catering facilities have been seamlessly integrated to provide a truly unique experience. The Tithe Barn Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3DE The Tithe Barn Telephone 01254 827166 Browsholme Hall, Forest of Bowland email: [email protected] Dear Thank you for your enquiry regarding weddings at Browsholme Hall’s Tithe Barn in the Heart of the Ribble Valley. Built in the late 17th century the historic farmbuildings at Browsholme Hall have undergone a £ ¾ million restoration carefully retaining their original features, whilst creating a new and unique wedding venue. The Tithe Barn has a civil licence for up to 120 guests and can accommodate up to 180 for an evening reception. You will have a choice of two dedicated 5 star caterers ,‘With a Twist’ and ‘Rowley’s’, in whom we have the greatest confidence to provide the highest quality food and a very special menu for your wedding day.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture and Climate Change: Narratives
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Open Research Online Open Research Online The Open University’s repository of research publications and other research outputs Culture and Climate Change: Narratives Edited Book How to cite: Smith, Joe; Tyszczuk, Renata and Butler, Robert eds. (2014). Culture and Climate Change: Narratives. Culture and Climate Change, 2. Cambridge, UK: Shed. For guidance on citations see FAQs. c 2014 Shed and the individual contributors Version: Version of Record Link(s) to article on publisher’s website: http://www.open.ac.uk/researchcentres/osrc/files/osrc/NARRATIVES.pdf Copyright and Moral Rights for the articles on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. For more information on Open Research Online’s data policy on reuse of materials please consult the policies page. oro.open.ac.uk Culture and Climate Change: Narratives ALICE BELL ROBERT BUTLER TAN COPSEY KRIS DE MEYER NICK DRAKE KATE FLETCHER CASPAR HENDERSON ISABEL HILTON CHRIS HOPE GEORGE MARSHALL RUTH PADEL JAMES PAINTER KELLIE C. PAYNE MIKE SHANAHAN BRADON SMITH JOE SMITH ZOË SVENDSEN RENATA TYSZCZUK MARINA WARNER CHRIS WEST Contributors BARRY WOODS Culture and Climate Change: Narratives Edited by Joe Smith, Renata Tyszczuk and Robert Butler Published by Shed, Cambridge Contents Editors: Joe Smith, Renata Tyszczuk and Robert Butler Design by Hyperkit Acknowledgements 4 © 2014 Shed and the individual contributors Introduction: What sort of story is climate change? 6 No part of this book may be reproduced in any Six essays form, apart from the quotation of brief passages Making a drama out of a crisis Robert Butler 11 for the purpose of review, without the written consent of the publishers.
    [Show full text]
  • The Experimental/Experiential Stage: Extreme States of Being of and Knowing in the Theatre
    The Experimental/Experiential Stage: Extreme States of Being of and Knowing in the Theatre Carina Bartleet The theatre and the branches of knowledge that the umbrella term ‘science’ subsumes share common ground. In both there is a commitment to the observable and the repeatable as human activities of knowledge. Wedded to these activities of creating new theatre, or science, is a sense that the experimental or novel brings knowledge that is reproducible or ‘rehearsable’. The pairing of drama and science itself is not new, however: Christopher Marlowe’s alchemical Doctor Faustus and the melancholia of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, grounded in humoral theory, suggest that theatre has a history of fascination with knowing about the physical world, and together, theatre and science have the potential to create fresh ways to communicate novel ideas.1 Theatre’s preoccupation with science is significant in the twentieth century when it and technological change shaped the world. Modernism’s distorted, subjective representational theatrical worlds reflected the pace of change through fetishization by the Italian Futurists; the irregular and distinctly unnatural lighting states of German Expressionism; and in Soviet Russia, the systemized actor training of Meyerhold’s biomechanics. Moreover, Bertolt Brecht, arguably the most influential theatre modernist, theorized a ‘theatre for a scientific age’.2 These theatricalized engagements explored how the scientific can shape human experience. Toward the end of the twentieth century, theatre showed a marked concern for scientific ideas, with doing science, and with scientists. This chapter traces theatre’s preoccupation with science through three of the more pressing topics of the time: molecular structure, genetic testing in medicine, and climate change.
    [Show full text]