FRIDAY 12 MAY
Schools Performing Arts Workshop
Join three of New Zealand’s top theatre practitioners – Victor Rodger, Anapela Polataivao and Goretti Wickman – for a unique FCC Acting/Writing/ Directing workshop. Students will get the chance to speak Victor’s words, be directed by Anapela and act alongside Goretti.
9.30am–4.00pm, Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library. BOOKINGS CLOSED.
Stella Duffy Workshop: Getting Going, Getting Done
Novelist, theatre-maker and short story writer Stella Duffy uses theatre, improvisation and devising techniques to help writers overcome blocks, develop storylines and characters, and find the fun in their writing.
In association with Museums Aotearoa, Auckland Writers Festival and WORD Christchurch.
9.30am–12.30pm, Clarkson Room, Regent Theatre. BOOKINGS CLOSED.
Lunchtime Reading: The Birds and the Bees
Dunedin’s two Ockham New Zealand Book Award-shortlisted authors, Emma Neale (Billy Bird) and Barbara Brookes (A History of New Zealand Women), read from their work. Introduced by Phillippa Duffy of University Book Shop.
12.15–12.45pm, Athenaeum Library, FREE.
Jane Eyre: An Autobiography
Told through Jane Eyre’s eyes, Charlotte Brontë’s celebrated autobiographical novel is distilled for the stage by writer/director Elton Townend Jones and performed by Rebecca Vaughan.
In association with the Auckland Writers Festival.
1.00–2.30pm, Fortune Theatre Studio. Tickets from Fortune Theatre: www.fortunetheatre.co.nz
Zine Scene
Children’s author Kate De Goldi and author-illustrator Paul Beavis give hot tips for keen young authors and illustrators, and announce the winners of the Gecko Press Dunedin Schools Zine Competition.
3.30–4.30pm, Teen Space, Dunedin City Library, FREE.
Robert Lord Plaque Unveiling
The unveiling of a plaque for Robert Lord (a pioneer of New Zealand playwriting and a co-founder of Playmarket) in the Octagon’s Writers’ Walk to celebrate his standing and his generosity to other writers through the establishment of the Robert Lord Writers Cottage in North Dunedin.
Brought to the Festival by AAW Jones Trust, with support from the Robert Lord Writers Cottage Trust, the Dunedin Writers Walk Advisory Committee, Playmarket and the Fortune Theatre.
4.00–4.30pm, Octagon, FREE.
Gala Showcase: Metamorphosis
Six international and national authors will tackle the theme ‘Metamorphosis’ and talk about a book or author that changed them: Ian Rankin, Stella Duffy, John Lanchester, Hannah Kent, Bill Manhire and Victor Rodger, with MC Kate De Goldi.
In association with the New Zealand Book Council, the Auckland Writers Festival and Museums Aotearoa, with support from the Centre for the Book at the University of Otago.
6.00pm – drinks and nibbles; 6.30–8.00pm – event, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Enter at southern end near Chinese Garden. $39 (includes welcome drink and nibbles).
Pirate Sessions #2: The End of the World
Is far-flung Aotearoa the new hot spot for wealthy overseas doomsdayers to target as their safe haven? Toby Manhire, Jean Balchin, Craig Cliff, Lucy Hunter and Joe Higham will discuss the merits of our isolation over a beer with host Victor Billot.
Curated by Pirate & Queen. Sponsored by the Department of English and Linguistics, University of Otago.
8.30–9.30pm, Leviathan Hotel, Entry by koha.
SATURDAY 13 MAY
Tala Tusi: The Teller is the Tale
Pasifika poet and scholar Selina Tusitala Marsh will deliver the 2016 NZBC lecture and reflect on the relationship between our stories, ourselves and the fate of our literature.
In association with the New Zealand Book Council
9.00–10.00am, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, FREE.
The Children's Room Storytime Session: Monsters & Bees
A monsterishly buzzy storytime session with author-illustrator Paul Beavis and Dunedin writer Raymond Huber. Don your best monster/bee gear, and come along for some vibrant storytelling, face-painting and crafts (with prizes for Best Dressed Monster and Boldest Bee). For children up to 9 years old.
In association with the Children’s Room at the University Book Shop.
10.00–11.00am, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, FREE.
Stella Duffy
Stella Duffy is a non-stop creative whirlwind: author of 15 novels, over 60 short stories, and 11 plays; theatre director; and the co-director of Fun Palaces. She’ll chat to Paddy Richardson about her diverse doings.
In association with Museums Aotearoa, the Auckland Writers Festival and WORD Christchurch.
10.15–11.15am, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
Play Reading: Victor Rodger, Uma Lava
A Polynesian-hued adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous play No Exit/Huis Clos. Three strangers, who hate each other’s guts, find themselves in a small, uncomfortable and increasingly hot room. Read by Anapela Polataivao, Goretti Wickman, Siale Tunoka and Simon O’Connor.
11.30am–12.30pm Dunedin Public Art Gallery, FREE.
A Circle of Laureates
Nine of the ten New Zealand Poet Laureates will gather to read their work, with Rob Tuwhare joining them to represent his late father, Hone Tuwhare. Featuring Bill Manhire, Elizabeth Smither, Brian Turner, Jenny Bornholdt, Rob Tuwhare for Hone Tuwhare, Michele Leggott, Cilla McQueen, Ian Wedde, Vincent O’Sullivan and C.K. Stead. Fergus Barrowman (Publisher, Victoria University Press) will MC the event.
In association with the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa.
12.45–2.45pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $29/$25/$22.
Jane Eyre: An Autobiography
Told through Jane Eyre’s eyes, Charlotte Brontë’s celebrated autobiographical novel is distilled for the stage by writer/director Elton Townend Jones and performed by Rebecca Vaughan.
In association with the Auckland Writers Festival.
1.00–2.30pm, Fortune Theatre Studio. Tickets from Fortune Theatre: www.fortunetheatre.co.nz
Picturing Words & Wording Pictures
Three author-illustrators, David Elliot, Sarah Laing and Paul Beavis, will discuss the tricky and triumphant business of marrying words and pictures. Chaired by Julia Marshall (Publisher, Gecko Press).
In association with the New Zealand Book Council.
3.00–4.00pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
Crime Time
Ian Rankin, Stella Duffy and M.J. Carter will discuss detectives and other dark matters with local crime writer Vanda Symon.
In association with Museums Aotearoa, the Auckland Writers Festival and Heartland Bank.
3.00–4.00pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
John Lanchester
Novelist, non-fiction writer and journalist John Lanchester has been described as “a kind of brainy Everyman, a brilliant communicator”. He’ll talk with Toby Manhire about his many literary hats.
In association with the Auckland Writers Festival and sponsored by the Otago Daily Times.
4.15–5.15pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
How to Have a Beer
Two of New Zealand’s finest beer writers, Alice Galletly and Michael Donaldson, will talk about how to have a beer, what makes a good/bad beer, and how best to judge 65 beers in a day without ending up passed out under the table. Chair: Jesse Mulligan.
5.30–6.30pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12 (with Emerson’s beer and other beverages available for purchase from 5.00pm).
Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin will talk about his latest bestselling Rebus novel, Rather Be The Devil, and life at the top of one of fiction’s most popular genres, with fellow Scotsman and crime writer, Professor Liam McIlvanney.
In association with the Auckland Writers Festival. Supported by NHNZ.
6.45–7.45pm, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, $25/$22/$18.
Pirate Sessions #3: Found Poetry
Six Dunedin writers have composed new poetry from ‘found’ lines in Dunedin. Featuring: Majella Cullinane, Laura Borrowdale, Jenny Powell, Richard Reeve, Craig Cliff and Lynley Edmeades.
Curated by Pirate & Queen. Sponsored by the Department of English and Linguistics, University of Otago.
8.00–8.45pm, Dog with Two Tails, Entry by koha.
Flying Nun at the Cook
Roger Shepherd (author of In Love With These Times: My Life With Flying Nun Records) will talk Flying Nun matters with Graeme Downes, Robert Scott, Francisca Griffin and Roy Colbert. There will be music, too, of course. Chair Grant Smithies.
9.00–10.30pm, Captain Cook Hotel (upstairs), $25/$22/$18 .
SUNDAY 14 MAY
Bill Manhire
Bill Manhire, one of New Zealand’s finest poets, will talk about his latest publications (Some Things To Place in a Coffin and Tell Me My Name) and his distinguished literary life, with Jolisa Gracewood.
9.00–10.00am, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
Hannah Kent
Australian author Hannah Kent will talk about her highly acclaimed and atmospheric novels Burial Rites and The Good People, both set in the nineteenth century. Majella Cullinane will find out what draws Kent to these darker pockets of historical fiction.
10.15–11.15am, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
Mother's Day Brunch with Emily Writes
Celebrate Mother’s Day over shared platters and bubbly with the fallible, funny and forthright Emily Writes. She’ll discuss the tough and tender moments of parenting with Sunday magazine columnist, and fellow knackered mum, Leah McFall.
11.30am–1.00pm, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, $45 (includes bubbly and light brunch).
Jane Eyre: An Autobiography
Told through Jane Eyre’s eyes, Charlotte Brontë’s celebrated autobiographical novel is distilled for the stage by writer/director Elton Townend Jones and performed by Rebecca Vaughan.
In association with the Auckland Writers Festival.
1.00–2.30pm, Fortune Theatre Studio. Tickets from Fortune Theatre: www.fortunetheatre.co.nz
It's Personal
Four frank writers will talk to chair Charlotte Graham about mining the personal in their Ockham New Zealand Book Awards-nominated work. Featuring Hera Lindsay Bird, Ashleigh Young, Adam Dudding and Sarah Laing.
1.30–2.30pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
Catherine Chidgey
Catherine Chidgey will talk about her fourth highly acclaimed novel, The Wish Child (shortlisted for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards) and her meticulous novelist’s craft, with Emma Neale.
2.45–3.45pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $22/$18/$12.
Landfall at 70
Founded in 1947, Landfall created a space for New Zealand literature and culture in a radically different time. Panelists David Eggleton, Chris Price, Philip Temple and Adam Dudding will check its septuagenarian pulse with chair Peter Simpson.
In association with Otago University Press.
4.00–5.00pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, FREE.
Book Launch: Charles Brasch Journals
Join Otago University Press in launching this second volume of journals by one of New Zealand’s most distinguished cultural figures.
In association with Otago University Press.
5.00–6.00pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, FREE.
