AN EVENING of talks and readings, based upon the life of one of the country’s most eminent writers, is being held in the very room in which he regularly addressed a Liverpool audience.

Charles Dickens was a habitual visitor to the city, holding his famous Penny Readings in St George’s Hall’s Small Concert Room, charging a nominal sum for tickets to hear him read. The event, which takes place on Saturday, is a very personal journey for Liverpool’s community historian Steve Binns, who admits to a fascination with the Victorian author.

“Liverpool held a great appeal for Dickens, who was interested in the city’s extremes, that there were people who had nothing just streets away from people who were very rich,” explains Steve.

“There’s an amazing story about how he went into an ordinary shop to find a man reading Great Expectations to a group of people. This gave him the idea for the Penny Readings.”

Another time, Dickens was walking through the city centre when he saw some children selling oranges.

“The police moved them along and he said to them ‘why don’t you leave them alone? The money they’re making will probably keep their families alive’,” explains Steve. “I think he really understood Liverpool.”

Steve will be accompanied by James O’Keeffe, who will read from his novels.

“Dickens was very charismatic – the effect he had on a room was like having JFK, Bono and Lennon all in the same place,” adds Steve.

“It will be a real honour for me to speak about such a great man in the same room he stood and talked to the public in himself.”

AN EVENING of Charles Dickens, St George’s Hall, March 7. Tickets priced £4.95 each, from 0151 225 6933.