28 NEWS www.EDP24.co.uk/news Eastern Daily Press, Friday, August 31, 2012

NORWICH Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Celebrate the joy of books at the Hostry

By EMMA KNIGHTS DIARY DATES The 2012 Hostry Festival will take place from October 26 until November 4. Topping the bill is Hamlet: The Undiscovered Country, a newly-created sequel to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Media Partners: Eastern Daily Press Before each of the shows inclusive theatre company People can join in with a celebration Total Ensemble will perform of the written word during a special a piece of movement theatre day focusing on authors this exploring Hamlet’s themes. Other autumn. highlights are staged readings Norfolk Authors in Profile is part of of A Visit to the Villa Edouard this year’s Hostry Festival which VII by Julian Maclaren Ross and takes place at Cathedral Voices: Moments from the Lives from October 26 until November 4. of Others by Adrian Drew. Five In the year that Norwich received Marys Waiting, a new play by the Unesco City of Literature status, David Banks, is being presented the Hostry Festival organisers have as a staged reading in a double teamed up with independent book bill with a concert starring cellist store The Book Hive and Writers’ Clare O’Connell and violinist Centre Norwich to bring a selection Marcus Barcham-Stevens. PLEASED TO of local authors to the stage to talk Younger audiences can enjoy MEET YOU : about their work on November 2. Thumbelina presented by Elspeth Among the writers looking forward Norwich Puppet Theatre and also Barker will to taking part is Itteringham-based Tilly the Talespinner and Obee be one of Elspeth Barker whose first acclaimed Joyful. The closing event will be the authors novel was O Caledonia, and who will a free screening of the classic at the be talking about her new book, Dog Hamlet film starring Laurence Hostry Days, a collection of selected writings, Olivier. Festival in at the Hostry Festival event. October. She said: “I am delighted to be involved in anything that furthers years or so. It takes its title from a mother of five and grandmother of poet George Barker. AUTHORS IN PROFILE the written word. It is good for piece of writing looking at four- four, and whose children include And as well as the memoirs and literature in general to be on display legged friends that have featured in novelist Raffaella Barker, shares autobiographical work, readers are N Simon Gough, who lives in north in festivals, it gets people to notice Elspeth’s life. other snapshots of her life through also offered some literary criticism Norfolk, has revelled in changes of books and not just think they are Elspeth explained: “It is about dogs the book – everything from growing and essays. career, from washing up to writing something boring from the days that really mark important parts in up in Drumtochty Castle in The book also includes introductions for the BBC, to acting, to selling the before computers arrived – reading one’s life. to her garden and her appreciation of to East Anglian writers and painters finest antiquarian books in and hearing books aloud can inspire “I remember being 18 and the dog the Norfolk landscape. and reviews of the work of some of and Holt. This month his book, The people to want to read more. that had been there all my life – a “I think the thing that everyone is Elspeth’s contemporaries – Angela White Goddess; An Encounter, is “Writing can also be very solitary golden retriever called Rab – died, struck by in Norfolk is the sky and Carter, A S Byatt, Toni Morrison, being published. It concerns events and nothing beats being face to face and I remember that, far more the extraordinary coast and the birds, Beryl Bainbridge and William Trevor surrounding his relationship with with your readers.” than being allowed a gin and tonic or they are quite wonderful,” she said. among others. his great uncle, Robert Graves. Her new book, published by going to university, the death of that Elspeth, now married to the Summing up the collection, Elspeth N Sarah Ridgard, who lives in Norwich-based Black Dog Books, is dog signalled the end of my writer Bill Troop, also includes in said: “I hope some of it is funny, some Norwich with her husband and due out in October and is an eclectic childhood.” her new book some writing about of it is quite dark. It is a very varied two children, spent some years mix of her writings over the last 20 Seventy-one-year-old Elspeth, a the loss of her first husband, the book, the sort of collection that is travelling and then working with diverse enough to enjoy dipping in Amnesty International, Oxfam HONOUR OUR LOCAL ARTISTS and out of.” and Oxford University Press With Dog Days now finished, before graduating from the The cream of Norfolk’s creative To nominate, visit www. Elspeth is now turning her attentions University of with an scene will be honoured at a new norfolkartsawards.co.uk and to a novel which she has given the MA in Creative Writing. Her awards ceremony opening this submit the details. Nominations working title Some Hope. debut novel, published this year’s Hostry Festival. must be received by September “It is about trust and abuse of trust, month, is called Seldom Seen. The 2012 Norfolk Arts Awards, 14. and grief and ways of coping with a N Doug Stroggins is writing a new in association with the EDP, will A shortlist will be selected difficult and fractured way of life. book – called 180 Degrees Out – start the arts festival on October and published on the website “It is set mainly in East Anglia with looking at why we have moved away 26 and features 12 awards where people will be able to vote bits in Ireland and London,” she from the life we are meant to live, spanning the different aspects. for their favourite. The 2012 said. and how to enjoy the life we desire EDP readers have the chance to Norfolk Arts Awards will take N Norfolk Authors in Profile is at and deserve. nominate their favourite local place on October 26 at Norwich Norwich Cathedral’s Hostry on Friday, N Hostry Festival founder and artist, performer, venue, show Cathedral’s Hostry from 7pm. November 2, from 1.30pm. Tickets artistic director Stash Kirkbride or organisation for one of the The red carpet awards event cost £10 (concessions £5). To book and the event’s co-producer Peter awards – the EDP People’s Choice will also include an after-show call the box office on 01603 218450. Beck, wrote the headline show in association with the Award. The main criteria is that reception. N For more information visit www. Hamlet: The Undiscovered all nominees must be based in or Tickets cost £20. To book call hostryfestival.org Country. The play is edited by have produced work in Norfolk. 01603 218450. N emma.knights@.co.uk Peter Barrow.