George Eliot, Middlemarch and the Coventry Years

This new presentation by David Paterson will be eagerly anticipated by regular delegates. His last work, Fair Seed-Time examined the historical background to the writings of George Eliot by examining the relationship between Robert Evans and the Newdigates. This  talk examines the (perceived) similarities between Middlemarch and Coventry followed by the more general effects of her Coventry years on George Eliot’s writing of Middlemarch.

Transforming Middlemarch

This is a fascinating project being undertaken by Professor Justin Smith and his team at De Montford University, Leicester. Dr Lucy Hobbs and Dr Anna Blackwell are lead members. The team is researching and producing a resource on the Andrew Davies 1994 adaptation of Middlemarch.

We will hear about the project and the aims and nature of the Digital edition, followed by questions about the project or the TV adaptation. There will then be a 20 minute workshop on a clip from the TV series alongside scripts from different points in the script development process; and a 10 minute feedback session to end it.

Polly Button

Before lockdown we were treated to some music from the then developing folk opera about the murder of local woman Polly Button in 1832. In February Katherine Fear’s wonderful production was a sell out at Abbey Theatre. The narrator is George Eliot. Katherine and other cast members will tell us how the production happened and treat us to some excerpts.

Shakespeare’s Sister

Dr Valerie Fehlbaum is well-known to the Fellowship for her clear and precise lectures. Here she covers new ground for us by presenting her monologue on Shakespeare’s sister. In September’s Festival we hope Valerie will perform her monologue on George Eliot’s sister Chrissey. The link? George Eliot was described by a critic as ‘The Female Shakespeare, so to speak’

There will be a fourth event which delegates will be notified of as soon as we have confirmation.