Acclaimed playwright John Godber has premiered his latest production at the launch of the Beverley Literature Festival.
An area of Beverley Library was temporarily transformed into a stage set on which a cast of four actors from Hull University’s Drama Department performed Godber’s latest commission ‘Who Cares’.
Through this emotional and intense production, Godber takes audiences on a personal journey through the last days of his late auntie’s life, exploring the NHS and its Kafkaesque communications system with his characteristic dark comic humour along the way.
Speaking after the premiere, Godber said:
“I thought it was terrific and the response I have had from the people I spoke to afterwards was really positive.
“Someone said that every politician in the country should see this play, and someone else said every doctor in the country should see this play. The most important thing about it is it’s very honest and people respond to that.”
The production will now tour libraries across the East Riding as part of Wordquake’s innovative Festival on the Run outreach programme, which takes high-quality literature performances to locations across the county; giving local communities the chance to access cultural activities they would not necessarily get the chance to experience.
Festival director Dorcas Taylor said: “We wanted to choose venues that people can get to easily and which are familiar to them.
“The idea is to encourage local residents to feel included, to get involved and understand that our libraries offer so much more – as cultural as well as community hubs.”
‘Who Cares’ will now tour libraries across the East Riding as follows:
Saturday 4 October: 11am, Market Weighton Wicstun Centre; 3.30pm, North Bridlington Library.
Saturday 11 October: 11am, Goole Library; 3,30pm Holme Village Hall (Holme on Spalding Moor).
Saturday 18 October: 11am, Withernsea Centre.
Saturday 25 October: 11am, Hedon Library.
The performance lasts 50 minutes. Tickets are on sale now priced at £2 each and available from the libraries involved, including Holme on Spalding Moor
Mobile Library, every Thursday 9am to 6pm. Alternatively call the box office on (01482) 392699.
For further information on the Beverley Literature Festival which runs until Saturday 11 October go to www.bevlit.org or find us on Twitter @bevlitfest
