The University of Reading is hosting a series of exciting events next week that welcomes both academics and members of the general public. The ‘Beckett Week’ begins on Wednesday 2 November, when actress Lisa Dwan will deliver The Billie Whitelaw Lecture and help to open an exhibition celebrating Whitelaw’s work. Thursday and Friday brings a rich selection of panels exploring Samuel Beckett’s engagement with the political; keynote speakers include Matthew Feldman, Elizabeth Barry and Daniela Caselli. And the week will conclude on a poignant note on Saturday, when Beckett’s authorized biographer James Knowlson and others will pay tribute to the renowned Beckett scholar Mary Bryden. To attend any or all of these events, follow the links below for details.
Lisa Dwan: ‘A Beckett Actor’
Acclaimed Beckett actress, Lisa Dwan, who has performed in Beckett’s plays across the globe, will speak about performing in Beckett and about her mentor Billie Whitelaw, Beckett’s favourite actress. Lisa met Billie when she was preparing for a production of Beckett’s challenging play, Not I, and Billie passed her notes from Beckett on to Lisa. We are delighted to welcome Lisa Dwan back to Reading, following her virtuoso performance of a selection of Beckett’s prose for performance entitled No’s Knife at London’s Old Vic Theatre.
The lecture will be followed by a Wine Reception, and the Launch of the Billie Whitelaw Exhibition, which will for the first time show items from Billie Whitelaw’s Beckett Theatrical Collection, acquired by the Beckett International Foundation last year.
Registration and Details: http://store.rdg.ac/LisaDwan
Beckett and Politics Conference
Organised by the Beckett at Reading Postgraduate Group (BARP), the exciting theme of ‘Beckett and Politics’ will be discussed through panel presentations and keynotes by Matthew Feldman, Elizabeth Barry and Daniela Caselli. All scholars, students, and enthusiasts are welcome.
Registration for the conference: http://store.rdg.ac/SamuelBeckettandPoliticsConference
The provisional schedule and other information can be found here: https://barpgroup.wordpress.com/2016/10/03/conference-registration/
Mary Bryden Tribute Day
A tribute day for the late, much loved Mary Bryden, Professor of French Studies at the University of Reading, and Co-Director of the Beckett International Foundation, who died a year ago.
The day will start (at 12 noon) with a lecture by Emeritus Professor Jim Knowlson on Beckett and Billie Whitelaw. In the afternoon, there will be an academic panel which will reflect on aspects of Mary’s research in French Studies and Beckett Studies. This will be followed by personal and musical tributes from Mary’s colleagues and friends, and readings from Mary’s own creative writing. The event is free and will include lunch and a drinks reception at the end of the day.
Registration and Details: http://store.rdg.ac/MaryBrydenTributeDayEvent
Further Details
All events take place in the Minghella Building, Whiteknights Campus, The University of Reading. Registration is necessary for all events – please register as soon as possible so we can book catering as necessary.
For queries about any of these events, please email Mark Nixon (m.nixon@reading.ac.uk)
The Samuel Beckett Society 