Free arts and entertainment events during BU’s Festival of Learning
A Jekyll and Hyde walking tour of Westbourne, a creative writing workshop and the chance to make a radio drama are just some of the free events taking place as part of Bournemouth University’s Festival of Learning.
The Festival runs from Saturday 11 – Friday 17 July, with over 150 free events and activities.
A number of events will look at Robert Louis Stevenson’s connections with Bournemouth.
This includes a performance of The weevil in the biscuit on Saturday 11 July, performed by Doppelganger Productions.
The play, which runs from 6pm to 8pm, depicts Stevenson’s experience of writing The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
On Sunday 12 July, a walking tour around Stevenson’s former house in Westbourne will be led by historian and Stevenson expert Andrew Amery, exploring the local influences on the author while writing the iconic tale.
Doppelganger Productions will also run practical workshops looking at making theatre and creative writing.
BAFTA-winning writer John Foster, founder of Doppelganger Productions and Screenwriter-in-Residence at BU, said: “I am delighted that Doppelganger Productions is again involved with the Festival of Learning with our new play The Weevil in the Biscuit, our Robert Louis Stevenson Literary Walk and our workshops.
“We are pleased that this year’s play dramatises a piece of Bournemouth’s heritage and local history: the tempestuous true story of Robert Louis Stevenson writing his iconic tale The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at the house in Westbourne where he lived.
“This is the third year we have worked with the university to produce a Festival drama and it is always an exciting and very enjoyable experience for the Doppelganger team.”
Other free events taking place as part of the Festival of Learning include a performance by the BU Dementia Orchestra, a landscape photography exhibition, and the chance to spend the day making a radio drama with special guest Felicity Finch – an actress in The Archers and Features Producer for BBC Radio 4.
The Bournemouth PechaKucha night taking place as part of the Festival will also offer the chance to meet creative people and network informally on Saturday 11 July, from 6pm – 8pm.
Festival of Learning events are free and open to all, running throughout the day and evening at BU’s Talbot Campus and locations across Dorset.
