Spotlight on weird science

Oct 10 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

Doctor Who, Winston Churchill and Tony Blair all come under the spotlight as the 2008 Shell Chester Literature Festival continues.

If you have ever wondered whether some of the mind-blowing science featured in the long-running TV series Doctor Who could ever become reality, Paul Parsons may have the answer when he comes to the University of Chester tomorrow.

Drama comes to the festival programme on Sunday with a new play which takes an unusual look at legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, through the eyes of his wife, Clemmie, which receives its premiere at the Bank of America.

A less flattering view of a more recent Prime Minister is offered up at Chester University on Wednesday, by former Cabinet minister David Owen – now Lord Owen – when he discusses Tony Blair’s state of mind at the time he committed troops to the war in Iraq.

This forms part of Lord Owen’s new book which looks at psychological illnesses affecting the decisions of world leaders.

And New Labour comes under fire again from celebrated journalist and former Cheshire MP Martin Bell, whose latest book launches an attack on New Labour. Bell is the guest of honour at this year’s Festival Dinner at the Queen Hotel on Thursday.

The full list of events in the coming week is as follows:

Saturday, October 11 – 2.30pm, Binks Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: The Science of Dr Who – popular scientist and writer, Paul Parsons, reveals why time-travel isn’t ruled out by the laws of physics, the truth about the Doctor’s two hearts, and why, before long, we could all be regenerating. Tickets £6.50.

Sunday, October 12 - 3pm, Bank of America: Hugh Whitemore’s My Darling Clemmie – festival première for a remarkable new play by one of our foremost dramatists, telling the moving story of the woman who married Churchill. Tickets £9.

Tuesday, October 14 - 7.45pm,Beswick Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: Celebrating John Milton – this year is the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Milton. Lance Pierson’s much-praised performance of extracts from some of Milton’s most famous works illustrates the poet’s range and power. Dr Derek Alsop prefaces the performance with a critical spotlight. Tickets £6.50.

Wednesday, October 15 - 1.15pm. St Peter’s by the Cross: Bite-size Lunchtime Poems – This relaxed mid-day entertainment was a popular innovation last year. Members of the University’s English department present some well known (and less well known) short poems. Free admission.

Wednesday, October 15 - 7.45p, Molloy Lecture Theatre, University of Chester: David Owen: In Sickness and in Power – In this controversial new book, Lord Owen, former foreign secretary and former doctor, analyses the psychological illnesses affecting the decisions of world leaders. In particular he reaches worrying conclusions over the state of Tony Blair’s mind, when he committed British troops to the invasion of Iraq. Ticket £7.50.

Thursday, October 16 – 7.30pm for 8pm, Best Western Queen Hotel: Festival Dinner featuring former journalist and MP, Martin Bell, who mounts a blistering attack on New Labour’s deep shades of grey in The Truth That Sticks. Sponsored by the Chester Business Club. Tickets £37. Black tie event.

Friday, October 17 – 7.30pm, Grosvenor Museum: Book Launch: Life in a Late Medieval City: Chester, 1275-1520– Historian, Dr Jane Laughton, paints a vivid picture of real people leading ordinary lives in medieval Chester, including the mercantile elite who controlled the city, the craftsmen and traders who worked hard to raise their families, and the immigrants who struggled to make a living. Tickets £6.50.

Friday, October 17 - 7.30pm, Chapel, University of Chester: Poems into Songs – Chester Lyric Ensemble make a welcome return to the festival for a fascinating evening hearing what happens when poetry is set to music. Bill Hughes chooses poems, from Shakespeare to Sassoon, and guest tenor, Stewart Armstrong, joins the Ensemble’s singers to perform their musical settings. Tickets £8.50 (to include a glass of wine).

Friday, October 17 –Sunday, October 19: Chester Oyez! - Vibrant, packed weekend of events celebrates the spoken word in all forms in venues throughout the city centre and most are free. Listen to story-telling, pop-up poets, drama, the Town Crier. To find out more, visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk/literature or call 01244 409113.

An interview with Paul Parsons about his Doctor Who event at Chester University tomorrow, can be found on our website: chesterchronicle.co.uk/entertainment.