Dickens in December
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Dr Andrew Mangham will explore what we can learn from Dickens' values in the 21st century
This month, the University is celebrating Charles Dickens' 200th anniversary and the author's links with the University and town through a series of events that are open to staff, students and members of the public.
Scrooge at Reading Film Theatre
Tuesday 11 December, 8pm - Palmer G10, Whiteknights campus
A special Reading Film Theatre screening of Scrooge which will be preceded by a seminar given by Dr Pete Orford, an expert on Dickens and film from the Shakespeare Institute. The audience is invited to get into the Christmas spirit and dress as their favourite character from the story - prizes for the best outfit. Tickets: £7.50 / £5.50 www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk
Public Lecture - The Charles Dickens phenomenon: Dickensian values in the 21st Century
Wednesday 12 December, 8pm - Palmer G10, Whiteknights campus
Dr Andrew Mangham from the Department of English Literature will explore how we can learn from ‘Dickensian' values at this festive time of year in a society where, more and more, the arts are fighting to be on equal terms with today's cultures of science and business.
The lecture is free to attend. Those who can't make it on the day can keep up with the lecture on Twitter from 8pm - just follow @UniofReading and use the hashtag #UoRLectures to make comments or ask questions. If you've missed any of the other lectures in the series, you can relive them on the University's Storify page.
Children's Christmas Lecture, ‘Mystery and Monsters: Exploring the Power of Charles Dickens's Creative Writing'
Monday 17 December, 4pm - Palmer G10, Whiteknights campus
The annual Children's Christmas Lecture is a fun and interactive event for children aged between seven and twelve. Dr Neil Cocks, from the Department of English Literature will use drawing, descriptive writing and dressing up to discover the power of Charles Dickens' creative writing.
Please note that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. School groups are welcome to attend. Tickets are free. Booking is essential for this popular event: please contact events@reading.ac.uk / 0118 378 4313
Dickens and the town
On 19 December 1854, Charles Dickens came to the Literary, Scientific and Mechanics' Institution on London Street, Reading (now the Great Expectations pub and hotel) to read an excerpt from his novel ‘A Christmas Carol'. He was apparently 'overcome' with the warm reception he received from the audience of Reading's working class citizens, including workers from the Huntley and Palmer factory.
In 1851 Dickens and his theatrical company performed at Reading's Town Hall to raise money for the Guild of Literature and Art, a society which aimed to help struggling writers. In 1841 George Lovejoy, the London Street bookseller and Liberal Party Agent, invited Dickens to stand for Reading M.P. Dickens declined, pleading the lack of funds to run a contested election.
In celebration of his 1854 visit, the University is hosting an event at the Great Expectations in the week before Christmas, where an exact copy of the speech Dickens gave will be recreated. (Unfortunately tickets are no longer available due to the popularity of this event).