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Thu 24 Sep
Andy Irvine & Quilty | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:30
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Thu 24 Sep
Andy Irvine & Quilty | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:30
A Trio of Talking Heads
...iconic, dramatic Masterpieces from the legendary pen of Alan Bennett (Lady In the Van; The History Boys).
Join us for intimate performances of these hugely successful, BAFTA award-winning monologues. On screen with stellar actors such as Maggie Smith, Julie Walters and of course, Alan Bennett himself, they were wonderfully reprised by the BBC in 2020 with Martin Freeman, Jodie Comer and Lesley Manville amongst others.
Performed in the semi-round, BIPs will be taking on the challenge of:
Bed Among the Lentils
Susan is a vicar’s wife suffocated by the expectations from her 'position' through her husband, and his over-zealous, passive-aggressive parishioners. She has a penchant for the odd sherry - and the communion wine, she starts going further afield for refills because she now 'owes a bit on the side' with the less-than-impressed local shopkeeper. When the Leeds off-licence owner, Ramesh, takes the time to talk, she begins to discover something about herself and God in the process...
A Chip in the Sugar
Middle-aged Graham, has a history of mental health issues, and finds life becoming complicated as his mother, Vera, with whom he still lives, reunites with an old flame. Graham becomes progressively disturbed when Frank - whose outspoken and right-wing opinions conflict with Graham's muddled liberalism - becomes an ever-increasing influence on Vera. And so, Graham's old insecurities rear their ugly heads…
Her Big Chance
Meet Lesley, an actress who knows a lot about personality (there's a chapter on it in the book she's reading). You might have seen her in Crossroads (she played woman in a musquash coat)? She's also just filmed a video 'targeted chiefly on West Germany' in which she plays Travis, a career girl with her own briefcase, who enjoys life on a yacht, but strangely spends a remarkable amount of time topless. Oh yes, and she shot a man last week …
There are references to sex and nudity and, being written in 1988, carries prejudicial opinions of that time.
Age advice 14+
Box Office
Open periodically throughout the week | Book online 24/7
Cafe
Daily | 09:00 - 17:00
We had not planned to present a hybrid festival, however that changed when one of our main authors tested positive for Covid. I greatly appreciated how the team worked with us to pivot and present remotely in part, making full use of your enhanced video conferencing equipment. As a result, we were able to deliver quite complex events with several elements all showing on screen simultaneously. The audio-visual quality was excellent, and our audiences were delighted that these events could still go ahead, in spite of Covid. The author in question was really pleased that he could join us on screen and remarked that he had not been so well supported in this way at any other festival.
Fiona Ritchie | Birnam Book Festival 2022
Welcome to Birnam Arts, a boutique multi-purpose arts, conferencing and entertainment venue.
Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the free WiFi. Wander upstairs to view the latest of our monthly art exhibitions before visiting the world of Beatrix Potter, or the Gift Shop to purchase a special gift for your loved ones or yourself!
Birnam Arts is a unique venue, contributing enormously to many aspects of our lives - social, cultural, educational.
Linda Wolfe | Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020
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What a warm and lovely welcome for this Yorkshire author. Thank you. Birnam Book Festival, author
Rose George | Birnam Book Festival 2018
Entrance
Kinnaird
Cafe
Beatrix Potter
Shop
Gallery
Studio
Unfortunately our lift is currently out of order, restricting access to our first floor studios and galleries. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We are working hard to get it back up and running as soon as possible.
If you would like more information or have any questions ahead of your visit, pease email admin@birnamarts.com.
More information on accessibility can be found here.
