Programme 2009
THURSDAY 25th JUNE
Gerald Scarfe
10.30am-11.30am
£3 / £2 concession
Gerald Scarfe is one of the world’s greatest living caricaturists. He was born in London. After a brief period at the Royal College of Art, he established himself as a satirical cartoonist, working for Punch magazine and Private Eye during the early 60’s. He has had many exhibitions worldwide and more than 50 one-man shows. His most recent exhibition was at Portcullis House, Westminster. Scarfe has designed the sets and costumes for plays, operas and musicals in London, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and in New Zealand. The Magic Flute, designed by Scarfe, has been performed in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. His film work includes designing and directing the animation for Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Walt Disney’s Hercules. He has written, directed and appeared in many live action and documentary films for BBC and Channel 4 and has published many books of his work. His latest book, Monsters: How George Bush Saved The World & Other Tall Stories was published last November. Gerald Scarfe has been political cartoonist for the London Sunday Times for 42 years, and has worked for The New Yorker magazine for 17 years. His work regularly appears in many periodicals. Gerald Scarfe was made a CBE in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours. An Honorary Graduate of the University of Dundee, we are delighted to welcome Gerald Scarfe to talk about his life, his work and his extraordinary talent.
Prose and a piece with Beatrice Colin
12.00noon-1.00pm£5 (with roll and tea or coffee)
Beatrice Colin’s stunning novel, The Luminous Life of Lily Aphrodite has been a sensational hit, winning rave reviews and getting selected as one of the Richard and Judy book choices for 2009. Gripping and darkly seductive, The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite showcases all the glitter and splendor of the brief heyday of the Weimar Republic, and the rise of Hollywood to its golden age. As it foreshadows the horrors of the Second World War, the novel asks what price is paid when identity becomes unfixed and the social order is upended.
Beatrice Colin will be reading from her book and answering your questions. There will be a signing session after the event.
Adam Mars-Jones
2.30pm-3.30pm£3 / £2 concession
Adam Mars-Jones is a novelist, essayist and reviewer. He has the unusual distinction of having been selected as one of Granta's 'Best Young British Novelists' in 1983, and then again by the same magazine ten years later, even before his first novel, The Waters of Thirst, actually appeared.
John Cromer, the hero of his second novel Pilcrow (short-listed for the Encore Award), is taken ill at the age of three and put to bed on medical advice. He's told not to move until further notice -- but he's much closer to being an explorer than a victim. He's the weakest hero in fiction, unless he's one of the strongest. . .
Adam will be talking about his new novel, the first in a quartet, and answering questions about his work as a novelist, short story writer and critic for national newspapers.
John Gray
4.00pm-5.00pm£4 / £2 concession
John Gray is celebrated as Britain's foremost political philosopher with some of the most influential books in recent times to his name, including Black Mass and Straw Dogs. In his new collection of essays, he discusses issues that are central to the most cherished beliefs that humanity holds, overturning our views. Why is the human imagination to blame for the worst crimes of the twentieth century? Why is progress a pernicious myth? Why is contemporary atheism just a hangover from Christian faith?
John Gray will be talking about his writing, his lifetime's work and answering questions in this exciting event.
This event will be chaired by Prof Nicholas Davey, University of Dundee.
New Writing Dundee and Fest n' Furious
5.00pm-7.30pmFREE
Dundee's most successful magazine will officially be launched with short readings from the 4th volume.
We will also have music from Fest 'n Furious, Dundee's most exciting music festival. Sign up now for the chance of great deals on tickets.
David Peace
7.30pm£5 (no reductions)
David Peace is the author of several bestselling books, including the Red Riding Quartet, Tokyo Year Zero and The Damned Utd. He has been talked about by many as the most talented writer the UK has produced in decades and his work sparks debate and excitement. We're delighted to offer this rare chance to hear him discuss his work.
Peace has created a new genre, brought new readers to fiction and caused a sensation around literature that is exciting and fresh. His 'Yorkshire noir' books were serialised to acclaim in the Red Riding Trilogy (despite there being four books) by Channel 4. His masterpiece, The Damned Utd has been made into a major film and his most recent novel, Tokyo Year Zero is an astonishing dark, complex book.
Come and hear this literary sensation talk about his books, his future and answer questions.
