Actress Janet Suzman _320
‘THE person who does not hear something to please him at a penny reading must have a very exclusive taste indeed,” so wrote Thomas Wright about the original Dickensian Penny Readings.
The traditional festive event that was begun by the great writer himself in the 1840s is celebrating five years since it was revived by The Reader Organisation.
Dickens insisted that the audience of his reading in the concert room of St George’s Hall paid only a penny so that people from all walks of life could attend, and that tradition has been kept. The 2008 Penny Readings takes place on Sunday evening. Tickets sold out in advance and ticket holders will pay a penny on the door, just like in Dickensian times.
The event is described as “a unique combination of music, dance, laughter, tears and great live readings in one unique Liverpool night out”.
This year, world-famous actress Janet Suzman, renowned for her Shakespearean roles, will be the special guest of The Reader Organisation, taking her turn to read along with Philip Davis, editor of The Reader magazine, and Liverpool literature-lover Brian Nellist.
There will also be performances by poets and musicians including acoustic group Daywalker, Kensington Choir, performance poet SJ Russell, Somalifields, an up-and-coming group of young Somali poets, and the El Ghawazee belly dancing troupe.
Event co-ordinator Casi Dylan said: “The event has grown into a real tradition.
“We thought we would have to work to build up the audience, but it turns out to be an annual event that everyone wants a ticket for. Janet Suzman is going to be a real treat, she is quite an extraordinary actress.”
The Reader Organisation is a Liverpool-based charity that encourages reading groups and is behind the annual Liverpool Reads event.
