We remain incredibly concerned (as is everyone) by the spread of coronavirus and our Core Response Group and Officers Group are meeting daily. We are putting out guidance to students and Fellows regularly and we wish everyone well. This blog is attenuated by these events.
Frankland Visitor: Writers Talk:
The second in our series of Writers Talks took place on 11 March when Rebecca Abrams our Royal Literary Fund Writer in Residence interviewed our Frankland Visitor Kenny Lonergan in the Amersi Foundation Lecture Room before 60 or so people, alumni, students and Fellows. In a wide ranging and meticulously researched interview, Rebecca probed Kenny on his career, including how he compared working in the cinema and for the theatre. She drew out the fact that he was a “master of subtexts” and the impact of his being brought up by two psychoanalysts as well as the impact of bereavements in his work especially in Manchester by the Sea.
Betty Morley Dinner:
After anxious consideration, we went ahead with our annual Betty Morley Dinner on 14 March. There was a widespread feeling amongst those attending that this could be the last big event we would have in College for some time. It was terrific to welcome as Honorary Fellows two distinguished alumni James Del Favero a successful M&A investment banker and Dame Vivian Rose a member of the Court of Appeal. They both gave lovely speeches.
Miscellany:
On the same night as Kenny Lonergan’s talk there was a magical Musical Bach Recital by our virtuosos Christian Wilson and Jonathan Katz . They performed a collection of Keyboard Partitas (Clavieruebung Part I). The playful and animated Partita No 5 in G major was contrasted with the chromatic and anguished Partita No 6 in E minor. I was only able to stay for fifteen minutes but what I heard was magical.
It was wonderful to see Dame Helen Suzman in Conversation with the Master of St Peters on 2 March. She spoke about growing up in apartheid South Africa and then her roles on screen and stage.