SouthseaScene

Come along to this free public lecture by Dr George Burrows, Principal Lecturer for Performing Arts, University of Portsmouth, exploring a fascinating history of Portsmouth. The discovery of a programme to a performance of Handel's Messiah held in Portsmouth in 1812 opens up some important questions about recreating performances of the past.    This lecture presents that discovery and the context for a forthcoming practice-as-research concert. It frames how recreating the 1812 'Pompey' Messiah represents an opportunity to explore a vital tension between being true to the letter and to the spirit of the 1812 performance.    It also tells the story of our expanding city, a diva disguised as a nun and the evolution of a national culture of massed participation in music that continues to this day . Wednesday 1 March, 2017 4.00pm Eldon Building, Room W1.11 Admission is free but booking from Eventbrite is recommended

It was a hectic day and quite rightly so. Author Polly Morland was in town for BookFest. Speaking at the University of Portsmouth in the afternoon, Polly addressed a room full of students, academics, aspiring authors and book fans. Polly animatedly discussed her fascination with changes and what she discovered in her writing journey with her latest book, Metamorphosis. Between reading and elaborating on some of the chapters in the book, Polly was philosophical about how people are affected by changes in their lives. Big or small she was advocating for us to embrace change. We as humans are always changing, like the cells in our body. Change is built into our lives. Change can happen at any time and the interplay between internal and external agency might create the stimulus for change. This brought to mind the writing exercises I did with the Southsea Writing Group I joined last month. I wasn't expecting anything other than I thought it would be fun to meet new peop