Our Beautiful Universe - In Conversation with Jo Durrant

We are delighted to announce that Jo Durrant will be back with a new series of ‘In Conversations’ with special guests including authors and historians. These informal, interview-style events inspire and inform, spark curiosity, and invite us to look at the past and present world with fresh eyes.

Jo Durrant is the award-winning presenter of the independent arts and science podcast ‘Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe’. She’s a highly respected and accomplished interviewer and event chair, and a familiar face at literature, history, and science festivals. Jo is freelance but for over 20 years was a presenter, producer & reporter with BBC radio and interviewed hundreds of people, from Melanie C to Tim Peake.

Each conversation will be followed by a chance to ask questions and chat over tea and coffee if you wish. Several guests will bring books which you can buy and have signed.

Tickets cost £7.50 standard price, £6 concessions and £5 for Museum in the Park Members - Membership is free to join. Advance booking highly recommended. See below … further event details to be revealed soon!

2pm, Saturday 14 March: ‘Women Who Ruled The World’ with Dr Elizabeth Norton

We know the names Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Elizabeth II but what about Matilda of England, Tamar of Georgia, and Wu Zetian of China?

Female kings have always been a rarity, an oddity, or an undesirable outcome. In spite of this, women have secured crowns – or fought for them – over several millennia.

In her book ‘Women Who Ruled The World’ historian and archaeologist Dr Elizabeth Norton traces 5000 years of female monarchy, weaving together stories of women rulers throughout the ages.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Elizabeth will be shining a spotlight on some of these remarkable women when she joins Jo Durrant in conversation, as we begin a new series of Our Beautiful Universe.

Book online here or call 01453 763394.

2pm, Saturday 25 April: ‘The Dream Factory’ with Dr Daniel Swift

“All the world’s a stage…” is a phrase we have William Shakespeare to thank for. But which theatre made the playwright the legend he became? Clue: It wasn’t the Globe!

Daniel Swift is associate professor of English at Northeastern University, London, and has written books on William Shakespeare, Ezra Pound, and the poetry of the Second World War. His essays and reviews have appeared in the New York Times, the Financial Times, and the Spectator. In his book ‘The Dream Factory’ Dr Daniel Swift uncovers the remarkable untold story of Shakespeare’s first theatre, which was also London’s first purpose-built commercial playhouse.

Daniel joins Jo Durrant in conversation, to reveal how Shakespeare became Shakespeare, as we celebrate the Bard’s birthday.

Book online here or call 01453 763394.

2pm, Saturday 23 May: ‘Black Yanks’ with Dr Kate Werran

2pm, Saturday 13 June: ‘Forgotten Churches’ with Luke Sherlock

2pm, Saturday 4 July: ‘The Cat’s Tales’ with Charlie Creed

2pm, Saturday 1 August: ‘Harvington Hall: The House of Secrets’ with Phil Downing

2pm, Saturday 29 August: ‘The King’s Mother’ with Annie Garthwaite

Further details for the above and booking links to follow soon - please watch this space!

This event series takes place in the Museum’s Walled Garden Pavilion, the glass-fronted room set within the gorgeous ‘secret garden’ borders hidden away at the heart of Stratford Park. Access is via Museum Reception, then via a sloping pathway or steps up into the garden. Tea and coffee included. Advance booking highly recommended.