April 26, 2009
I have been to several ‘In conversation with….’ Presentations, most recently with the enigmatic Ian Mckewan at Oxford's Literary Festival, and I have always found them enjoyable and interesting. This was no exception - Phillip Pullman is a witty and down to earth man and his work has found its way in to the hearts and minds of children and adults a like for many years.
The questions were being posed by an Oxford University representative from St Hilda’s college (I have to admit to not remembering her name) and despite the fact that some of her questions were a little long winded they were suitable to evoke some strong and intriguing answers. The most noticeable was one my companion for the trip and I noted to be the longest question ever that could have a simple answer: it was, as was a lot of the afternoon, about His Dark Materials, and on this occasion it took the interviewer about three minutes to basically ask Pullman if he thought the movie was any good or not. The answer was suitably tactful but was none the less honest.
I do wonder if this event should really have been named Philip Pullman in conversation about His Dark Materials as it took up 90% of the time, and a friend I saw in the auditorium later did confess he was a little disappointed and not getting any more information about the man and his origins as a writer, something I too would have been fascinated to find out. Perhaps another time.
The stage adaptation is in Oxford this coming week and Pullman himself appears to be a big fan. If tickets are still available it sounds as though we should be rushing to get them.
I have been to several of the Friday at 5 events and shows over the past few months and I find them a worthy and interesting addition to the weekly fare from Oxford’s Playhouse Theatre. Shown before the conversation was a film about the Playhouse’s history, and its plans for the future. We are so incredibly lucky to have such an establishment in our City; I don’t know a single theatre-going friend who does not adore the venue. Long may it continue in its good work.
The questions were being posed by an Oxford University representative from St Hilda’s college (I have to admit to not remembering her name) and despite the fact that some of her questions were a little long winded they were suitable to evoke some strong and intriguing answers. The most noticeable was one my companion for the trip and I noted to be the longest question ever that could have a simple answer: it was, as was a lot of the afternoon, about His Dark Materials, and on this occasion it took the interviewer about three minutes to basically ask Pullman if he thought the movie was any good or not. The answer was suitably tactful but was none the less honest.
I do wonder if this event should really have been named Philip Pullman in conversation about His Dark Materials as it took up 90% of the time, and a friend I saw in the auditorium later did confess he was a little disappointed and not getting any more information about the man and his origins as a writer, something I too would have been fascinated to find out. Perhaps another time.
The stage adaptation is in Oxford this coming week and Pullman himself appears to be a big fan. If tickets are still available it sounds as though we should be rushing to get them.
I have been to several of the Friday at 5 events and shows over the past few months and I find them a worthy and interesting addition to the weekly fare from Oxford’s Playhouse Theatre. Shown before the conversation was a film about the Playhouse’s history, and its plans for the future. We are so incredibly lucky to have such an establishment in our City; I don’t know a single theatre-going friend who does not adore the venue. Long may it continue in its good work.