Lecturer: David Tovey

Cornwall is renowned for its many famous artists and the day will cover both art and social history, including crafts, pottery and textiles, as well as paintings, encompassing the late 19th century to the 1930s. Altogether it promises to be a fascinating day for all, with special emphasis for those going on the Cornish holiday from the 15th to the 20th April. Our master of ceremonies, David Tovey, is an art historian and renowned authority on Cornish art. He has an extensive personal collection of Cornish Art which will be visited during the Cornish holiday. 

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Lecturer: Peter Medhurst

For this Special Interest Day Peter Medhurst will explore in greater depth some of the themes of his May lecture.

The reigns of Elizabeth I and James I of England are jointly regarded as one of the great moments in English music, when composers such as William Byrd, Thomas Morley, Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Tomkins produced works of extraordinary originality and depth.  The Special Interest Day focuses on the various forms of music that were used at the time - lute songs, madrigals, keyboard music and church music - and throughout the day the talks are illustrated with live performances on the piano.

Flemish Virginals after Jean Couchet

Lecturer: Lars Tharp

Lecturer: Richard Burnip

This Special Interest Day will be held at the Kempster Hall, Christ Church. Reading Road, Henley. 

 

Offices of The Strand Magazine, publishers of Doyle, Christie and Sayers stories

The day will provide an overview of some of the key developments in detective fiction from the 1880s to the 1930s, with particular reference to the use of London in those works. 

 

 

 

Holmes and Watson in Regent Street

 

Sherlock Holmes from page to screen - the evolution and revolution of an icon

In 1921 Conan Doyle named four people who, aside from himself, played key roles in shaping the public image of Holmes. This lecture will look how at their respective contributions influenced each other from the 1890s to the 1920s. When Conan Doyle gave up provincial medicine for professional writing his own knowledge of London increased rapidly, and we will also explore some of the surprising ways in which this was reflected in the Holmes stories. 

 

Martin Hewitt makes a dramatic discovery

 

The contemporaries of Sherlock Holmes 

There were many other detectives whose authors tried, with varying degrees of success, to step away from the shadow of the mighty Sherlock.  From Arthur Morrison’s painstaking Martin Hewitt to Baroness Orczy’s ground-breaking Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, a richly diverse gallery of inspired creations helped make London the capital city of crime fiction, along with anti-heroes such as the confidence trickster Romney Pringle and the terrifying Madame Sara.

 

Lady Molly of Scotland Yard

 

Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers in London

Although Conan Doyle’s final Holmes stories were written in the 1920s, they were set back in a vanished past. 100 years ago Christie and Sayers were bringing their detectives into the post-Great War world and this lecture looks at their use of London in the 1920s and 30s and how they placed Hercule Poirot and Lord Peter Wimsey in the heart of the great city; a revealing investigation in itself. 

 

Audley Square, Mayfair, marital home of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane

 

Richard Burnip

Richard took a BA Hons in English Language and Literature from the University of Manchester, followed by an acting diploma at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. He combines acting, writing and lecturing.  He has lectured in many venues including the National Army Museum and the Museum of London.

Richard has contributed to, among others, The Journal of Popular Film and Television, The Sherlock Holmes Journal, and the P G Wodehouse journal Wooster Sauce.  A specialist in voice work, he has narrated numerous documentaries and 150 audiobooks

 

 

Lecturer: Peter Medhurst

Lithograph Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven by Ferdinand Schimon

Beethoven is one of the most admired composers in the repertoire.  His exceptional creativity is set against both his increasing deafness and a period of turmoil in European history. 

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Lecturer: Neil Faulkner

This fascinating day, to be given by the author of the recently published Lawrence of Arabia’s War, draws on years of field research. Neil Faulkner’s interest in T.E. Lawrence was sparked during a 10 year archaeological project in the deserts of southern Jordan.

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Lecturer: Peter Medhurst

Peter Medhurst is a musician, singer and scholar who has performed and lectured throughout the world.  His enchanting and thought-provoking presentations include digital projections, recordings and live examples sung and played at the piano. He returns to give us an extra special occasion. 

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Lecturer: Lars Tharp

Lars Tharp’s day will open with “Harlots, Rakes and Crashing China” linking the life and works of William Hogarth to the wider world of ceramics.

Lecturer: Mr David Rosier

This Study Day promises a feast for the eyes as David takes us through his exploration of the Court Costume and Dress Accessories worn by the Imperial Family.