Dr Margherita Laera, Senior Lecturer in Drama and Theatre in the School of Arts, will be in Milan to lead a translation workshop to translate the award-winning play Tu es Libre by Francesca Garolla from Italian into English, from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 December 2018.

The play investigates the themes of freedom and war through the story of the sudden disappearance of French girl Haner Rouger from her Paris home. The workshop was commissioned by EU-funded Creative Europe project Fabulamundi – Playwriting Europe Beyond Borders to promote the play overseas.

Dr Laera will collaborate with the author and several young playwrights from Milan on the English-language version of the script. The play is currently being performed in Milan until tomorrow night at Teatro i.

The translated text will subsequently be available from Fabulamundi. To see all the texts translated so far, please see the page here.

Ann-Christine Kinzer, research student in the Department of Modern Languages, has recently contributed an article for a museum catalogue which will complement an exhibition taking place at the Germanische National Museum in Nuremberg from 28th November 2018 – 28th April 2019.

The exhibition is titled “Wanderland.” A journey through the history of rambling. Rambling is walking on a large scale and with a closeness to nature and – although also a common form of travel in the past – a leisure activity. The rambler appropriates the natural space by covering its distances, and has a view of the region or into the distance – perhaps from on high. Rambling is an exceedingly popular leisure activity in Germany and the exhibition provides an overview of around 200 years of the cultural history of rambling and illustrates the transformation this popular leisure activity has undergone over the years.

Acclaimed international poet and writer Lemn Sissay MBE will share his inspirational journey to success, from early experiences in the social care system to becoming Chancellor of Manchester University, when he comes to Kent’s Canterbury campus in January.

Lemn has been invited to share his story with all students and staff at Kent as part of the Law School’s Student Success Project Inspirational Speaker Series. Topics Lemn will cover include diversity in the Arts, the social policies that support the care system and how he is using the Law to challenge the local authority in Wigan for its part in surrendering him to an unwanted long term foster placement.

The talk, from 5pm – 6pm on Thursday 24 January will be held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 and is free and open to all, but attendees are asked to register onIine in advance. It is hosted jointly by Kent Law School, the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, and the School of Arts.

Kent Law School’s series of inspirational talks seeks to engage students (and staff), particularly those from BME backgrounds, by inviting speakers who model success in their spheres. Speakers share their tips for success and talk about how to overcome adversity to achieve one’s full potential.

Dr Graeme Forbes, Lecturer in Philosophy for the Department of Philosophy, has recently become the philosophical consultant for the critically acclaimed theatre company Theatre Re and their latest project Birth.

Established in 2009, Theatre Re is a London-based international ensemble creating thought-provoking and moving work. Its shows examine fragile human conditions in a compelling, physical style; embracing mime, theatre and live music; and are often described as magical, poetic and tender, as well as disturbing and haunting.

As a consultant for this project, Graeme discussed concepts such as the passage of time; universality and the particular; the difference between the past, the present and future; hope, absurdity, memory, and our experiences of time flying by, or creeping painfully and uncertainly through a traumatic experience.

Guillaume Pigé, Artistic Director of Theatre Re, said, “It was absolutely wonderful to have Graeme with us in rehearsal. He was able to put things in perspective and help us make connections with wider philosophical concepts. He also allowed us to get a better understanding of what we are doing. Having him on board was incredibly inspirational!”

Will Wollen, Faculty Director of Public Engagement for Humanities, said, “We all want research at Kent to be seen by a wide public audience. Matching researchers with artists is great way of making that happen. Graeme’s expertise and research made him a great match for the area that Guillaume was wanting to explore. Birth will be seen by hundreds of people at the London International Mime Festival in January and there’s the possibility of further touring both in the UK and abroad. It’s not every day that you see ‘Philosopher’ as a credit on a theatre programme!”

Birth premieres as part of the 2019 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL at Shoerditch Town Hall from 10th-13th January. There will be a post-show discussion on 12th Jan. Tickets can be purchased here.

Regarding the project, Graeme says, “When I first spoke to the director back in August, I was surprised about how interested they were in my thoughts as a philosopher. Having seen how the show has developed, it’s incredible to see the depth of engagement with ideas below the surface of everything they do.”

Catch the Arriva Sapphire 700 bus to Bluewater Shopping Centre from Chatham rail station. Bluewater has over 300 shops, over 50 places to eat and even ice skating over the Christmas period! See the Arriva 700 bus timetable.

Take the 132 Arriva bus to Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre from Chatham rail station. Hempstead Valley has over 50 shops, restaurants and cafes, see the Arriva 132 bus timetable.

Don’t forget- if you already have the Arriva student or staff bus ticket, the above bus journeys are already included.

Follow @ArrivaKent on twitter for service updates or download the Arriva app to plan your journey and view live bus times.

The University of Kent Players are excited to announce our audition dates for our next production happening in April, Wildest Dreams by Alan Ayckbourn!

The performance nights will be the 11th, 12th & 13th April and we will be holding auditions next week:

– Monday 10th December – 5.30-7.30pm – Room Woolf Seminar Room 4

– Thursday 13th December – 5.30-7.30pm – Room Woolf Seminar Room 4.

Please email the director, Lauren at L.M.Griffiths-Norbury@kent.ac.uk to let her know whether you are free to attend one, both (or neither) auditions. We will do our best to meet with anyone who is unable to attend the auditions but would like to audition for a role.

Please see the blurb for the play:

“Stanley, Hazel, Warren and Rick make the weekly escape from their real life nightmares into a role-playing board game peopled by dragons and monsters. A safe world where the dangers are of their own imagining; where they are free to become heroes of their own devising.

But how clear is the dividing line between what they choose to be and what they really are? What would it take for them to lose sight of it altogether? All it requires is Marcie. Loveable, understanding, sympathetic Marcie – destined to become the new demon to haunt their wildest dreams.”

We will be auditioning for the following cast member roles:

• Stanley Inchbridge – Large role
• Hazel Inchbridge – Large role
• Warren Wrigley – Medium role
• Rick (Alice) Toller – Medium role
• Marcie Banks – Large role
• Austen Skate – Medium role
• Thelma Wrigley – Small role
• Larry Banks – Small role

We really look forward to hearing from you and seeing as many of you as possible next week!