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| Afternoon Tea, Imperial Hotel |
We're well into the Agatha Christie Festival now and today has been a very busy day, with four events I wanted to attend (well there were more, but there's just not enough time in the day!!)
In the morning, I attended two excellent talks. The first was at Torquay Museum, and was hosted by John Curran, Julius Green, Ben Nealon and Deborah Grant. John Curran covered the various adaptations of And Then There Were None, in particular on the stage and on screen. Julius Green spoke about the play, and how it was adapted in the war to give a happier ending - using a different version of the poem. I have his book - Curtain Up, which talks about Agatha's life in the theatre. It was also interesting to hear from the actors who are currently starring in And Then There Were None - Ben Nealon and Deborah Grant - and to hear how they study the characters when they take on the role.
Next on the list was the The Golden Age of Murder talk by Martin Edwards, at Torre Abbey. Martin was quite an entertaining speaker, and didn't seem to have any notes with him. I'm impressed by anyone who can stand up and speak in front of so many people - but to do it without notes shows he really knows his stuff! I have his book and have started reading it, it's such an easy read and really interesting. So far, it's about the Detection Club and looks into the background to some of it's members, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Anthony Berkeley Cox. A really good read so far, and I'm looking forward to getting home and the having the time to finish it!!After the talks we headed over to the Imperial Hotel for Afternoon Tea on the Terrace - with Jazz music playing in the background. It was a lovely atmosphere, quite a few people were dressed up in 1920s-1940s outfits. The food was lovely - there were various sandwiches, scones (fruit and plain!) and cakes, all served with delicious tea!
Before leaving, I decided to search for the Sturdy Table, but couldn't find it anywhere - and it was pouring it down with rain. I later learned it had moved inside, so I might make another trip to the Imperial Hotel later in the week if I get time.
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| Signed first edition |
While we worked up the courage to speak to them, a National Trust volunteer came out from the kitchen area, and greeted us. We were then split into groups of about six, and taken on a tour of Greenway. We've been to Greenway on a couple of occasions, but this tour gave us more access to places we'd not been to before, and more personal information. It was amazing!
Also.....we got to see - and handle - some first edition Agatha Christie books!!! How exciting is that? I felt like I had to whisper when we were in the presence of them!! Before we could touch them we were shown how to handle and open them (not more than 90 degrees). There were even some signed books to Rosalind from Agatha. To think, she had held those very books - perhaps not with the attractive blue gloves on - but they were ones that had belonged to her at some point!!
The National Trust volunteers were fantastic, and very knowledgeable. After the tour, we went to the kitchen and had some wine and canapes, while we got to ask more questions and find out more about our favourite author. I think this has been one of my favourite events so far.
Here are a few more photos from Greenway...
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| Gardens, Greenway |
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| Dining Room, Greenway |
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| Library, Greenway |
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| Agatha's Bedroom, Greenway |
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