News and Events
News Items
The Society is pleased to announce the publication of new editions of two of Priestley’s best loved and critically acclaimed books: English Journey and Delight.
English Journey
In 1934, J.B. Priestley published an account of his journey through England and influenced the thinking and attitudes of an entire generation. This new 75th Anniversary Edition is fully illustrated with modern and archive photographs and comes with additional material commentary from Dame Margaret Drabble, Alan Plater, William Woodruff, Dame Beryl Bainbridge, Dr John Baxendale and Priestley Society members Lee Hanson and Alison Cullingford. Colour photographs for the book were captured by Rod Slater, Secretary of the Society.
Delight
Best known today as a novelist, playwright and a social commentator J.B. Priestley first found fame as a master of the short essay – a form he described as his favourite. Delight is one of his finest collections: essays that record the moments of wonder and beauty that are found beneath the surface of everyday experience. Both published in hardback the new editions of English Journey and Delight are out now in all good bookstores, online and at www.gnbooks.co.uk.
Both books are extensively reviewed and discussed in the press and other media. See the Bradford Special Collections blog under English Journey and Delight for full coverage.
J.B. Priestley Society Events 2009
Full details of Society events appear in mailings to Society members. For further information about any event please contact the Secretary of the Society, Rod Slater, on 061 872 0332.
Annual General Meeting of the Society and Annual Society Lecture: Literature & Western Man at Fifty.
Saturday 20 March 2010 at the Norcroft Centre, Tumbling Hill Street, University of Bradford.
11 am. AGM. Members will receive full details of the AGM by post.
2.30 pm. Ken Smith, former Chair of the Society and expert on Priestley, will explore Literature and Western Man, fifty years on. Priestley considered this to be one of his most important books, but it has received little attention in the current Priestley revival. Dr Smith will consider the book's enduring significance away from its Cold War origins. With question and answer session followed by refreshments. 4.30 pm close.
Dates for your diary 2010. Full details nearer the time.
Saturday 22 May. Summer Walk, Gargrave.
Saturday 11 September. Priestley Night, The Bradford Club.
Friday 19 November. Social, The Bradford Club.
Other J.B. Priestley Events
We are happy to include short details of Priestley events, conferences and theatre productions on this page. Please send your information and web link to m.nelson928@btinternet.com.
Faster than Sound: English Journey reimagined
Psycho-geographers, visual artists and musicians unite to reimagine English Journey as part of the “Faster than Sound” project. The first showing will be at Aldeburgh Music on Saturday 30 January 2010.
An Inspector Calls
"Hailed as the theatrical event of our generation winning more awards than any other play in history, this magnificent production has thrilled audiences across the world with its epic and wildly imaginative staging, raw emotion, evocative score, lashing rain and searing suspense" - production website.
A chance to see the unforgettable production by Stephen Daldry of Priestley's 1945 play of social conscience. Season now extended, at the Wyndham's Theatre, London, from 3 December 2009-20 March 2010. For full details, see An Inspector Calls website. For links to some of the overwhelmingly good reviews for this tour, see this entry on the Special Collections Blog.
"J.B. Priestley is one of our literary icons
of the 20th Century. And
