University of Exeter to play host to a festival of stories

The exetreme imagination festival is organised by the University of Exeter in partnership with the city’s arts and culture organisations.

The exciting programme of events takes place until the 29 October, and includes a Family Fun day at the University of Exeter and author discussions and creative workshops around the city.

Festival Director, Professor Debra Myhill, Dean of the University of Exeter’s College of Social Sciences and International Studies, said: “There is an exciting programme of author events, creative workshops, performances and exhibitions for young people, families, and some events for adults too.

“Exeter’s major arts and culture organisations work in partnership to create this festival, which aims to enthuse and inspire children and young people about stories, showcase high quality writing and foster talent.

“We have some great authors and talented workshop leaders to engage young people in the power of words. So let your imagination go exetreme!”

The free Family Fun day will be held on Saturday, 29 October at the Forum at the University of Exeter. There will be a performance of The Walrus and the Carpenter, based on the Lewis Carroll poem. The Walrus and the Carpenter have been transported through fantastical lands and have landed on solid ground. Visitors can take a walk with Walrus and Carpenter as they battle to fill Mr. Walrus’s giant stomach. Be it ice cream, burgers or small dogs, Mr. Walrus is on a one-mammal mission to find himself “a light snack”.

Visitors can also travel back in time on a mystical journey full of laughter and amazement with Sir Foxley, the Victorian magician. Armed with more than 100 years of magic up his cuff Sir Foxley will charm and baffle you with his extraordinary conjuring methods.

Other highlights of the festival include a performance at the Bike Shed Theatre of a story about a farm machine with mysterious powers. This is the culmination of a project with The Wardrobe Ensemble, Farms for City Children and the children of Orchard Vale Primary School.

Rounding off the festival, master storyteller Michael Morpurgo will give a talk about his work at the Exeter Northcott Theatre.

Festival Curator Elspeth Graham said: “We have an amazing line-up of writers and illustrators, who between them have won almost every award for young people’s writing that there is.

“The aim of the festival is to unlock imaginations and creativity. We want to entertain and enthuse. We want young people to find the pleasure that’s there in the simple act of reading. We want to help them discover the power of writing. Literature can change young people’s lives. Good books matter.”

A full festival programme is available at exetreme.org.