Bournemouth, Culture, Events & Entertainment | Posted on July 17th, 2024 | return to news
Frankenstein author’s birthday to be celebrated in Bournemouth
As part of the Bournemouth Writing Festival two performances celebrating Mary Shelley are to take place at St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth.
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People are invited to celebrate the 227th birthday of Mary Shelley, the legendary author of Frankenstein, at St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth.
The Bournemouth Writing Festival, in collaboration with the Shelley Trust, is hosting a special evening of performances and discussions just yards away from Mary’s grave.
Two specially commissioned performances from Dr Kevan Manwaring and Christy Fearn and Greg Gwyther bring Mary Shelley’s life and works to life, followed by a Q&A session hosted by Shelley Trust founder Katherine Edgar, exploring the fascinating world of this pioneering author.
Mary Shelley, buried alongside her parents and the heart of her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley in Bournemouth’s central Grade 1 listed church, provides an evocative backdrop for this literary celebration.
Dominic Wong, director of the Bournemouth Writing Festival, said: “Mary Shelley and her family are not just icons of literature; they are a cornerstone of Bournemouth’s rich cultural heritage. We are delighted to collaborate with the Shelley Trust to honour her enduring legacy whilst inspiring writers to write.”
Katherine Edgar, founder of the Shelley Trust, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with the Bournemouth Writing Festival to continually honour Mary Shelley’s profound legacy. The Shelley’s connection to Bournemouth is deeply significant and we are excited to celebrate her contributions to literature, the local area and her influence on the world.”
Taking place on Friday 30 August from 7.30pm until 9pm, you can book before 15 August to receive a free birthday goody bag.
For tickets, visit www.BournemouthWritingFestival.co.uk
Performances:
- Mary Shelley Unbound by Dr. Kevan Manwaring
On the anniversary of her birth, the spirit of Mary Shelley rises from her grave at St Peter’s and roams the modern world, casting a cool, critical eye on it all. What will she make of us today? Writer and academic Dr. Kevan Manwaring (MA Creative Writing course leader, Arts University Bournemouth) takes us on a wild ghost chase across Bournemouth and beyond.
- Mary Shelley – Mother of Monsters by Christy Fearn and Greg Gwyther
Who was Mary Shelley? How did this young woman create the original science fiction novel? And why, along with her other lesser-known works, has it had a life of its own, inspiring drama, film, music, and popular culture since its conception during the stormy summer of 1816? This dynamic performance reveals the truth behind Mary Shelley’s prophetic writing and its relevance today. Christy Fearn and Greg Gwyther bring the characters to life in this incredible story.
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