10 September 2004
Singelkerk

Melvyn Bragg (born 1939, Cumbria, England) is perhaps best known as an award-winning broadcaster and presenter of cultural programmes on British television – especially The South Bank Show which he has written, edited and produced since 1978. He began his career in broadcasting with the BBC in 1961 and is currently Controller of Arts at LWT (London Weekend Television)...

An Oxford scholar, prolific fiction and non-fiction writer, Bragg has also penned a number of television scripts and film screenplays, including Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) with Norman Jewison; Clouds of Glory (1978) with Ken Russell; and Isadora (1968) with Margaret Drabble, an intimate portrait of Isadora Duncan starring Vanessa Redgrave. In 1998, Bragg was made a life peer, garnering the title Lord Bragg of Wigton.

Combining his two great passions of literature and history, Bragg will be in Amsterdam to talk about his book The Adventure of English 500AD-2000 in which he charts the the fascinating history and development of the English language. Written in an easily accessible style, the book opens by describing how experts believe the Dutch province of Friesland is where you can hear what sounds closest to what became the ancestral language of English. He also examines Shakespeare’s English; puns, wordplay and tongue twisters; the evolvement of centuries-old swear words; ‘Spanglish’; American English and toffs talking posh... The book resulted from his successful BBC radio series, The Routes of English.

Following the talk, Bragg will answer questions from the audience and sign books. Copies of the newly-released paperback edition The Adventure of English will be on sale, along with some of his other works...

The event has been organised by BritLit, in collaboration with Hodder & Stoughton (London) and Waterstone’s Booksellers (Kalverstraat 152, Amsterdam) and is sponsored by the International Herald Tribune [www.iht.com].

Additional Information

Venue: The Singelkerk is the largest hidden Mennonite church in the Netherlands and dates from 1639.

Disabled Access: If you have any questions or special requests please contact BritLit.

Public Transport: The Singelkerk is a brisk 15-minute walk from Centraal Station. Tram 1, 2, 5 (Koningsplein Stop).

Tickets and reservations: Tickets can be bought or reserved online via www.britlit.info or by phoning Pip on (020) 420 6775.