Palace Theatre Paignton What's On Oct 2022 to April 2023

WHAT ’S ON...

...to the Palace Theatre Paignton

Life at the Palace continues to be soooo busy! Our programme of events in the auditorium is in full swing and all of a sudden we are on a roll towards Christmas and Panto. The classes, workshops, parties and smaller performances in STAGE LEFT have opened up a whole new world for us. We hope you have the opportunity to come along and join in with

There is so much on offer for you this season, from Bijou’s ever-popular plays to regulars visitors including Genesis Connected and the Britannia Royal Naval College Concert Band. We are also pleased to welcome some new performers such as Colin Baker starring in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most popular thriller.

A special welcome to our Friends of the Palace who support us with an annual subscriptionplease check out the exclusive Friends events on page 18. Our Friends, along with every single audience member, make the Palace what it is.

Thank you

The Palace Team

Where to buy TICKETS

THEATRE BOX OFFICE...

TICKET AGENTS:

ENJOY THE SHOW!

WHAT’S ON...

AUDIENCE WITH 6 OCT My Dear Old Things: An Evening with Henry Blofeld

DANCE 15 OCT Primrose Ball Tea Dance

DRAMA 18-22 OCT Calendar Girls

MUSIC 29 OCT The Freddie and Queen Experience

COMEDY 29 OCT Arthur Smith - Laughs, Stories, a Song and a Poem

DANCE 4-5 NOV AAX - The Spice of Life

MUSIC 5 NOV Afternoon Tea Experience

MUSIC 6 NOV A Night of Opera and Song with Red Earth Opera

MUSIC 19 NOV Genesis Connected

DRAMA 20 NOV The Hound of the Baskervilles

DRAMA 23-26 NOV Blithe Spirit

MUSIC 27 NOV The Wall of Floyd

DANCE 30 NOV Beauty and the Beast

MUSIC 2 DEC BRNC Band Christmas Concert

FAMILY 3-4 DEC Santa’s Magical Gift

WORKSHOP 3,4,9,10,11 DEC Wreath Making

WORKSHOP 17 DEC Afternoon Tea Festive Experience

FAMILY DEC/JAN Cinderella 10

FAMILY 8 JAN Dick Whittington 10

MUSIC 26 JAN Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years 11

FAMILY 8 FEB Circus of Horrors - The Haunted Fairground 11

COMEDY 18 FEB Father Ted 11

COMEDY 22-25 FEB Relatively Speaking 12

COMEDY 10 MAR Paignton Comedy Club 12

FAMILY 11 MAR Top Secret - The Magic of Science 12

DANCE 17 MAR Vincent Simone - Tango Passions 13

MUSIC 18 MAR BRNC Band Spring concert: Around The World in 80 Minutes 13

MUSIC 24 MAR Budapest Café Orchestra 13

DANCE 25-26 MAR Showtime 2023 14

FAMILY 15 APR Three Little Pigs 14

DRAMA 19-22 APR A Sting in the Tale 15

MUSIC 26 APR Dreamcoat Stars

MUSIC 25-26 FEB/ Torbay and South West of England Festival 14 3-5 MAR

DANCE 1-9 APR Torbay and South West of England Festival

SPEECH/DRAMA 27-28 APR Torbay and South West of England Festival

for Friends of the

OCTOBER...

My Dear Old Things: An Evening With Henry Blofeld

A wonderfully engaging evening for all as Blowers reflects on a truly extraordinary life. He recalls his days as a young England hopeful, how an Eton bus knocked him off his stride - and his bike - and his meandering way into the commentary box. There are hilarious tales of Johnners, Arlott and other larger-than-life characters in the box and on tour with England. Henry also has plenty of hysterical stories from his post-retirement appearances on Would I Lie to You? and The Real Marigold Hotel.

Thursday 6 October - 7:30pm | Tickets £22 - £25

Primrose Ball Tea Dance

A delightful afternoon of dancing in Stage Left, with live music provided by the fantastic Caddicks and Parkes, a jazz and blues duo performing a range of familiar and popular tunes such as Sway, Que Sera Sera and Chattanooga Good Time Boy.

Pianist Paul Caddick and singer Nicky Parkes provide the perfect addition to your Saturday afternoon tea dance. No backing tracks just a fabulous voice and keys. Join in the truly vintage vibe and dress up to the nines.

Saturday 15 October - 2:30pm | Tickets £12 (Includes tea, coffee and cake)

Calendar Girls

The death of a much loved husband prompts a group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute to do an extraordinary thing.

Blasting away all preconceptions of what it is to be in a women’s institute, they decide to do an artistic nude calendar to raise money for charity. Upturning preconceptions is a dangerous business but gradually the making of the fabulous and funny calendar brings each woman unexpectedly into flower. Presented by TOADS, the award-winning stage musical company.

Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 October (matinee 22 Oct - 2:30pm) Tickets £15 - £17

The Freddie and Queen Experience

The Freddie and Queen Experience are the UK’s Premier Queen & Freddie Mercury Tribute Band who are internationally and critically acclaimed.

The band perform with replica outfits instruments and perform a full recreation of QUEEN’s Live shows, based around QUEEN at their very best, the 86 ‘Magic tour’. It’s simply a great show not to missed! They perform all over the world with sell out shows in the UK and abroad, most recently in UAE and Europe. They deliver a passionate and energy packed show just full of QUEEN’s greatest hits!

Saturday 29 October - 7:30pm | Tickets £15 - £19.50

Arthur Smith - Laughs, Stories, a Song and a Poem

Warm up act: Paul Byrne

Join the comedian, writer, broadcaster and all-round British institution and bask in an evening of laughter and off the wall humour.

Expect an evening of sublime playfulness, crammed with jokes, anecdotes, short stories, poems, songs (at least 1 from Leonard Cohen) and readings from his recently published memoir ‘My Name Is Daphne Fairfax’. He will tell the story of his late father PC Sad Smith, survivor of Colditz POW camp and London copper.

Saturday 29 October - 8pm | Tickets £15

AAX - The Spice of Life

A variety show starring local talented performers from Alison Axford Theatre School.

Alison Axford Theatre School was founded in 1995 by principal Alison Axford, who has since been joined by many talented teachers and dancers. From the Paignton studios the school offers lessons in all genres of dance and performance, providing learning and performance opportunities for all students, whether beginners or classically trained.

Friday 4 November - 5pm and Saturday 5 November - 1pm Tickets £9 - £12

A Night of Opera and Song with Red Earth Opera

Earth Opera

delighted to bring Verdi’s early masterpiece to the stage at the Palace Theatre.

Elgar’s “Sea Pictures” and music for Macbeth by Sullivan and Verdi. Soloists Anna Gregory (Soprano) and Carolyn Harries (Mezzo Soprano), with the Red Earth Opera Chorus and Orchestra and Conductor, Jane Anderson-Brown.

SPONSOR

Genesis Connected

Celebrating the music of Genesis and the biggest selling acts connected: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Mike & the Mechanics.

A welcome return for this excellent band that bring an incredible mix of material, from atmospheric anthems to chart toppers. Hits spanning from the late 70s onwards including; Turn It On Again, Sledgehammer, In The Air Tonight, Over My Shoulder, Against All Odds, That’s All, Solsbury Hill, You Can’t Hurry Love, The Living Years and many more.

Saturday 19 November - 7:30pm | Tickets £18 - £20

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Stars of stage and screen play the world’s most famous detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.

COLIN BAKER (Doctor Who, The Brothers) & TERRY MOLLOY (Mike Tucker in The Archers for 40 years) are Holmes and Watson alongside DEE SADLER (All Creatures Great & Small, No Place Like Home), in this brand-new LIVE stage adaptation commemorating the 120th anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most popular thriller. Presented by Crime And Comedy Theatre Company as a radio play on stage, this tale of murder, mystery and horror is surely the greatest detective story ever told!

Sunday 20 November - 7:30pm | Tickets £18 - £20

Blithe Spirit

A Bijou Theatre Production.

Madame Arcati is a medium who is invited one evening by the Condomines to their house in Kent. Mr. Charles Condomine is a novelist who doesn’t believe in the supernatural but simply wishes to use the evening’s events as subject material for a new book. Events take an unexpected turn when the supposed charlatan really does summon a presence from the other side.

A funny, whimsical evening. Be careful what you wish for!

Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 November - 7:30pm Tickets £11 - £15

The Wall of Floyd

Fantastic musicianship and sound combine with a great light show to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Returning to the Palace, The Wall of Floyd are an established tribute to Pink Floyd with seven core members and collectively over 75 years of studio and live performance between them. The band aim to sonically reproduce Pink Floyd’s music as accurately as possible with a stage show to match. You’ll hear fan favourites from across Pink Floyd’s back catalogue including hits from The Wall and Wish You Were Here, right up to their final album, The Endless River.

Sunday 27 November - 7:30pm | Tickets £17 - £22

Beauty and the Beast

Join Ballet Theatre UK with one of the most enchanting love stories of all time, “Beauty and the Beast” - a brand new production set to a stunning classical score.

The entrancing story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster. Their feelings grow ever deeper as the clock ticks and petals continue to fall - can they break the spell?

Wednesday 30 November - 7:30pm | Tickets £16 - £19 Family Ticket available

The Concert Band of Britannia Royal Naval College Christmas Concert

Why not hit the slopes with the Concert Band of Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth who will be playing all your Christmas favourites, stirring up that festive spirit in you.

This exciting programme of music has something for all the family to enjoy. So, ski on down to the Palace Theatre on Friday 2nd December and we promise this amazing band will get you into the Christmas mood and, there will be a free mince pie for you all!

Friday 2 December - 7:30pm | Tickets £12.50 - £15

Santa’s Magical Gift

From the producers of David Walliams ‘Mr Stink’.

Holly, Santa’s newest elf and Trixie the experienced elf are busy decorating Santa’s workshop in the lead up to Christmas, cutting out beautiful snowflakes from white paper. Holly reveals Lapland’s biggest secret, that once a year Santa sends a magical gift to one person who deserves it the most. Holly writes her Christmas wish on a snowflake and places it on the window ledge before going to bed. That night a gust of wind takes the snowflake, and in the morning a large golden gift appears in its place. Is it really Santa’s Magical Gift? The perfect festival treat... Saturday 3 December - 1:30pm and 3:30pm, Sunday 4 December - 11am and 2pm £11 - £12 Family Ticket available

Christmas Wreath-making

Come and join us for a fun session making your own traditional wreaths to take home.

We will have a vast array of natural materials and all equipment on hand for you to use and lots of ideas to help you make your own fantastic wreath, a perfect gift or a wreath for yourself. All materials provided, as well as a mince pie, hot chocolate or mulled wine.

3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 December. £26 per traditional wreath

Bring a friend along to help you for additional £5 (includes hot chocolate or mulled wine and a mince pie only)

DEC/JAN...

Afternoon Tea Festive Experience

Celebrate the yuletide season with a sumptuous festive-themed afternoon tea feast and a musical performance by One Accord.

Enjoy our Christmas festivities and sing-along. The Afternoon Tea experience ticket price includes scones, cream and jam, cocktail sandwiches/rolls of various fillings, a selection of festive cakes and savouries, plus tea or coffee. Booking required.

Saturday 17 December - 2pm - 4pm | Tickets £20.00 per person with optional extra, glass of fizz £5 per person.

Cinderella

The award-winning Paignton Pantomime Productions return for the 2022-23 panto season with this family favourite.

Bring the whole family for a festive treat and hear the age-old but much-loved story of Cinders, her wicked stepmother, the jealous stepsisters, loveable Buttons and of course the man of everyone’s dreams, Prince Charming. Will Cinder’s Fairy Godmother help her to escape the clutches of her ugly stepsisters and live happily ever after?

17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 December 2022, 1 and 2 January 2023. Various times | Tickets £12 - £14

Dick Whittington

Christmas may be past but we are delighted to welcome Wonder Pantomime as part of their Westcountry tour.

Join Dick Whittington and his faithful feline friend on their quest to seek fame and fortune in the city of London, where the streets are paved with gold and the evil Ratty dwells.

However, Dick dreams of being the Lord Mayor of London and he is going to need all the help he can get from the beautiful Alice and the gang to defeat that Rat!

Sunday 8 January - 2pm | Tickets £12 - £14 Family ticket available

...JAN/FEB

Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years

Critically acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest tribute shows, Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years continues to delight audiences across the globe.

Featuring stunning vocal harmonies from world-class musicians, this spectacular concert transports you on a journey through the epic songs and history of the much-loved Simon and Garfunkel. Featuring all the major hits such as The Sound of Silence, Mrs Robinson, The Boxer and the iconic Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Thursday 26 January - 7:30pm

Circus of Horrors

The Haunted Fairground

Hot on the heels of the Circus of Horrors Phantasmagoria the ‘Witch’ comes a sensational new show set in a decrepit Fairground on the edge of nowhere.

Haunted by creatures of the unknown who had been Plastinated as exhibits in The House of Wax and brought back to life by a Tesla Coil machine to run havoc. This FANGtastic new show is set to blow your mind with an amazing set, stellar lights, special effects and of course Beautifully Bizarre Circus acts, a sinister story and the darkest of magic all performed to an original Rock score.

8 February - 7:30pm | £23 - £26

Father Ted

Join us in celebrating one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, as we welcome renowned stand-up Joe Rooney for a night of all things Father Ted!

A hosted screening of the classic episode, a Q&A, plus priests aplenty, a sandwich-making session, an all-inclusive ‘Lovely Girls Competition’ - and the evening wouldn’t be complete without a sing-along to My Lovely Horse! Come and meet Joe and immerse yourself in the very silly delights of Father Ted. Ah, go on… you will!

Saturday 18 February - 7:30pm

FEB/MAR...

Relatively Speaking

A Bijou Theatre Production.

A comedy by Alan Ayckbourn. Greg and Ginny are living together but Greg is becoming suspicious that he is not the only man in her life. He wonders about Ginny's plan to visit her parents and decides to follow her. Ginny is in fact going to see an older lover who Greg mistakes as her father with hilarious results.

Wednesday 22 - Saturday 25 February - 7:30pm

Tickets £12 - £15

Paignton Comedy Club

Chuckl. in association with the Palace Theatre proudly presents Paignton Comedy Club.

Join us as we bring you the biggest names in comedy and handpicked artists you’re sure to love. Sit back and get ready to laugh like your socks off! This is stand up at its best!

Friday 10 March

Please visit our website for more information

Top Secret The Magic of Science

Fusing the mystery of magic with wondrous and miraculous feats of science.

Hang on to your seats as we transform the venue into a real life science laboratory. Experience the non-stop action packed interactive magical science experiments that will capture the imagination. Top Secret is a fast moving colourful magical science show filled with mystery, suspense, lots and lots of mess to inspire, educate and entertain every young budding magician and scientist.

Saturday 11 March - 11am and 2pm | Tickets £10 - £12 Family ticket available

Vincent Simone Tango Passions

Argentine Tango King and Strictly Come Dancing legend, Vincent Simone, returns with his brand new show.

Also starring Argentine Tango specialist Paula Duarte and accompanied by world-class Argentine Tango specialists. Let the original Italian stallion take you on a journey to Buenos Aires and enjoy his dancing, tales and poetry about the history of the Argentine Tango. Featuring music from Astor Piazzolla and Gotan Project.

Friday 17 March - 7:30pm | Tickets £34 - £36 VIP Meet and Greet available

BRNC Band Spring Concert

Step aboard as we whizz Around The World In 80 Minutes with the Concert Band of Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

This epic voyage of adventure starts with a click of the stopwatch from our home in Devon and will circumnavigate the globe, journeying across the continents including Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Australasia, the Americas and the Caribbean, to name but a few. We'll cross the mighty oceans and the tumultuous seas, stopping over in some exotic ports along the way. Come with us as we set off on our trip of a lifetime!

Saturday 18 March - 7:30pm | Tickets £12.50 - £15 Family Ticket Available

Budapest Café Orchestra

Refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired boutique orchestra, Budapest Café Orchestra, deliver Balkan and Russian traditional gypsy and folk music in their own fresh and surprising way.

Admired for their artful distillations of masterpieces by the great Romantic composers their infectious music will get into your veins and stay there forever. A small, but impeccably formed, orchestra of just four players, the BCO combines violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz & balalaika to dazzling effect, creating an awesome aural alchemy normally only characteristic of far bigger ensembles.

Friday 24 March - 7:30pm | Tickets £10 - £20

MAR/APR...

Showtime 2023

Totnes School of Dance presents their annual showcase featuring performances by local talented dancers.

Totnes School of Dance has been teaching people to dance since 1995, and holds classes in Totnes, South Brent and Ipplepen.

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March

Please visit our website for ticket information

Torbay and South West of England Festival

A celebration of music, dance, speech and drama showcasing the region’s top talent.

Music Festival - 25th to 26th February and 3rd to 5th March

Barbershop Evening - 3rd March - 7pm

Gala Concert - 19th March - 7pm

Dance Festival - 1st to 9th April

Speech and Drama Festival - 27th and 28th April

Please visit our website for ticket information

Three Little Pigs

Once upon a time, in a muddy field by the sea, there lived Three Little Pigs.

Join Lost The Plot Theatrical and our three pigs as they excitedly leave the family stay in search of new adventures! Will they make a pig’s ear out of it, or will they raise the roof? It’ll take brains, bravery and curly-tails to build bridges and forge friendships with each other and those they meet along the way. Get those trotters tapping and those snouts a-squealin’ with new catchy songs, dancing and plenty of audience participation for piglets of all ages. There’s snout left to do but book your tickets for this oink-tastic musical!

Saturday 15 April - 11:30am and 2pm | Tickets £12.50 Early bird family ticket available

Sting in the Tale

A Bijou Theatre Production

A thriller by Brian Clemens and Dennis Spooner. Two once successful crime writers trying to write a play to pay off their mounting debts. As the plot develops, they realise who better to accomplish the perfect murder than themselves.

Bijou Theatre Productions produce four plays a year here at the Palace plus the annual Agatha Christie Season.

Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 April - 7:30pm

Tickets £11 - £15

ticket available

Dreamcoat Stars

Featuring stars from the hit production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Experience the powerful star vocals of four Josephs, coming together for a magical evening of West End and Broadway musical classics. This colourful production is packed with vibrant and energetic songs from the nation’s most loved musicals including Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, SIX, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge and more. Draw back the curtains, sing along and relive all your favourite productions in one epic show.

April

Weddings

CIVIL CEREMONIES and

Celebrate in Style - We are the ideal venue for your special day

The whole of the theatre is licenced for weddings so you can say ‘I do’ on our stage or enjoy a quiet ceremony with your loved ones in one of our refurbished rooms including the Bar area, Down Stage and Stage Left function room.

We can host your wedding reception or evening party and can cater for your wedding breakfast, providing a delightful, stylish and theatrical backdrop of your choosing with all the special trimmings to make your day one to remember.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR ALL AGES

Theatre Spaces for Every Occasion

We’re the ideal place for a Birthday Tea Party

large Stage

hold

party

space

the perfect place

birthday party

provide buffet-style catering

Events for

AND

Join as a Friend today and enjoy a range of benefits including reduced price tickets on selected shows and a chance to come along to our exclusive events.

Our Exclusive Event ticket includes delicious inhouse catering provided by the Jazz Hands team, raffles with great prizes, a host of entertaining speakers and updates about your favourite local theatre.

Autumn Afternoon Tea - Saturday 19 November 2pm - 4pm | Tickets £10

Spring Buffet Lunch with glass of wine included - Saturday 25 March 12pm - 2pm | Tickets £15

Summer Buffet with glass of fizz included - Saturday 17 June 6pm - 8pm | Tickets

ALSO COMING

Gary Delaney: Gary in Punderland - Friday 12 May 2023

Jive Talkin’ perform the Bee Gees - Friday

May 2023

Woman Like Me: The Little Mix Show - Saturday

Sounds of the Sixties with The Zoots -

Mother Goose - Monday

Marti Pellow: Pellow Talk -

FOR

May 2023

May 2023

May 2023

season - every Tues, Wed, Thurs from

Bijou Theatre

June to

TALKS - WORKSHOPS - ACTIVITIES

Dance, Health and

Dance with Flavia Beginners Ladies Singles

Workshops

Beginners Ladies Class No partner required. Each class will focus on a new dance and is a fun and interactive way of learning to dance from one of the best.

Class Dates: Saturday 8 October - Saturday 22 October - Saturday 29 October - 11:30am - 12:30pm £17 per person

More dates to come in 2023.

Fitness and Wellbeing Classes with Anne George of Stairway Coaching

MOVE IT OR LOSE IT! A fun session with lovely music and exercises to improve Balance, Strength, Stamina, Flexibility & Confidence, Plus plenty of giggles along the way! Suits all abilities for age group 60 plus! - Wednesdays, 2pm.

HAPPY DANCING! Enjoy a lively dance workout with many different styles - Disco, Latin, Ballroom (no need for a partner), Jazz, Freestyle, Bollywood & more! - 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 2pm.

Contact Anne for further details and to book your place: 07778 426653 or email: anne@stairwaycoaching.co.uk

Dance Your Way To Fitness with Mary Qhaving a lot of fun along the way!

From tried and tested Keep Fit moves to BALLET, LATIN, WESTERN, BOLLYWOOD, GREEK and all things in between. Music which makes you want to move from 60s to current day

People from 50 years of age working to your own ability - this is not a competitive class! My pledge to you: I will do my best to increase your wellbeing whilst keeping you safe. Insured Keep Fit Association trained teacher.

Classes starting Thursday 6 October 11am - 12pm and running weekly thereafter, £6 per person. Contact Mary Q on 07594442751 / mary.q@sky.com to book.

TALKS - WORKSHOPS - ACTIVITIES

Creative Writing

An opportunity for those who enjoy creative writing to have fun sharing work, ideas and motivation.

Suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience of writing who would welcome guidance, encouragement and feedback. Whether you are a short story writer, a poet, a teller of anecdotes, want to write your memoirs or novels or just want to explore different forms of creative writing you will be made very welcome. Led by Chris Woodhouse.

Course running weekly from Wednesday 12 October until Wednesday 9 November 10am - 12:15pm. Booking in advance required, £60 per person.

More dates to come in 2023.

Health and Wellbeing Workshops

FACTS

AUDIENCE AT... daytime talks

Join us for our exciting series of monthly daytime events throughout the year.

A time and space to socialise and discover fascinating facts and hear interesting stories on a Thursday morning. Doors open 10am for a 10:30am start - Ends 12pm.

Dates: 20 October - 3 November - 8 December - 12 January - 9 February - 16 March and 20 April | £6 per talk (a cup of tea or coffee included) with some concessions available.

Monthly Bingo, Thursdays 2pm to 3:30pm

Come along and enjoy an entertaining afternoon playing bingo in Stage Left.

Our bingo sessions take place once a month and are great fun and a chance to see old friends again and make new ones. £2 entrance fee, includes a cup of tea or coffee. £5 for 5 games. Great cash and raffle prizes, all in aid of the Palace Theatre. Thursdays: 6 October - 3 November - 1 December - 5 January - 2 February - 2 March and 13 April

Liter ature F estival

Returning in 2023, our literature festival is a packed programme full of literary-themed events, workshops and fascinating talks on a range of interesting subjects including local history and crime by well-known local and regional authors.

Stephanie Austin: Turning to Crime (Author Talk)

Stephanie is the author of the Devon Mystery Series, published by Allison and Busby, a series of contemporary crime novels set in the Dartmoor town of Ashburton and featuring reluctant amateur sleuth and antique shop owner, Juno Browne.

Stephanie lives in Torquay, and had a varied career as a teacher, artist and antiques trader before becoming a writer. When not writing she is actively involved as an actor and director in local amateur theatre.

Thursday 16 March - 10:30am - 11:30am

Emma Seaman: Mary Shelley's Lost Torquay Novel (Author Talk)

Local writer Emma Seaman explores the mystery of how the 'Frankenstein' author wrote a story set in South Devon, which lay undiscovered for nearly 200 years in the attic of an Italian villa - and how the tale illuminates details of Mary Shelley's turbulent and tragic life.

Thursday 16 March - 2pm - 3pm

Rachel Trethewey: Mistress of the Arts (Author Talk)

Born and educated in Torquay, Rachel Trethewey read History at Oxford University, where she won the Philip Geddes Prize for Student journalism.

After working for the Daily Express, The Daily Mail and Westcountry Television, she did a PhD at Exeter University. She has written four non-fiction books. In this talk Rachel provides an insight into the passionate life of Georgina, Duchess of Bedford.

Friday 17 March - 10:30am - 11:30am

Andrew Wilson: A Life in Crime (Author Talk)

Best-selling biographer and crime novelist Andrew Wilson talks about writing the first biography of Patricia Highsmith, his series of novels featuring Agatha Christie as detective, and his two psychological thrillers, Five Strangers and Murder Grove, written under the name E.V. Adamson.

Friday 17 March - 2pm - 3pm

Liter ature F estival

Christopher Wilson/TP Fielden (Author Talk)

TP Fielden is the fiction-writing name of acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Christopher Wilson, who has penned biographies of Prince Charles, Camilla, Diana, and other members of the British royal family.

He’s also the author of the Miss Dimont retro-detective series of novels, set in Devon, and of the wartime Buckingham Palace adventures of courtier, artist, and spy Guy Harford. He lives in Devon.

Saturday 18 March - 10:30am - 11:30am

South Hams Authors Network: Meet the Authors

Come and meet friendly local authors and hear them read from their books. Readings, book signings, book stalls and much more all taking place in Stage Left.

The South Hams Authors Network will be on hand to give advice and information to aspiring writers.

Saturday 18 March - 10:30am - 3pm

Helga Jensen: Writing Commercial Fiction (Workshop)

Have you ever wanted to write and publish fiction?

Now is the chance to learn the inside tips and tricks to getting published. In this workshop, award-winning women’s fiction author Helga Jensen will discuss what it takes to get published. From the writing techniques you need for that first draft to an impressive opening line and querying publishers and agents, Helga will share her inside knowledge and experience. Helga Jensen is an award-winning British/Danish Amazon best-selling author and journalist.

Saturday 18 March - 2pm - 4:30pm

Clare Helen Welsh: Storytelling and Crafts (Workshop)

Clare is a former teacher, now award-winning children’s author, from Torbay. She has published over 40 books and has more publishing in the

When Clare isn’t writing stories, she is inspiring children to write their own. Clare loves all opportunities to meet and inspire young readers. Come along for some Saturday morning fun with thrilling storytelling and craft activities.

Saturday 18 March - 10am - 11am | 11:30am - 12:30pm

Suitable for children aged between 3yrs and 8yrs.