LLC Celebrations
Ever since The Live Literature Company was founded back in 2002, we have maintained a long-standing tradition of hosting an annual company party for our members and friends to meet up, socialise, and have fun!
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we have not been able to host our company party this year. However, we hope once things settle down that we will be back on track to host our next celebration in 2021. Meanwhile, check out some of our celebrations from previous years…
THE 7 DIALS CLUB
In 2019, to celebrate seventeen years since the foundation of The Live Literature Company, we hosted our party in the heart of theatreland at the 7 Dials Club in Covent Garden.
Above Left: Fiona Evans from the LLC’s David Jones’ War Poets recital with Hattie Hayridge of Red Dwarf fame.
Above Right: Harmarge Singh Kalirai from the LLC’s The Post Office production.
Check out the LLC’s blog to see more photos of this event!
THE V&A MUSEUM
In 2018, 2016, and 2015 the annual party was held at the V&A Museum after the company’s participation in the V&A Performance Festival. In 2018, we staged Joe Orton Unwrapped: Censored and Uncensored Performance. In 2016, we staged Charlotte, Emily and Anne by Douglas Verrall, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth. In 2015, we staged the world premiere performance of The Shoemaker’s Wonderful Wife by Federico Lorca in a new translation by Jesus Montero.
Above Left: photo taken by Val of the beautiful V&A courtyard in which two facades were made by the Doultons. Sir Henry Doulton’s other great love in life was literature.
Above Right: The Shoemaker’s Wonderful Wife cast with Val at the 2015 company party.
In 2014, we hosted a spring tea party in the V&A courtyard as part of the V&A’s ten-day celebration for Shakespeare’s 450th birth anniversary. The party was held after the company’s V&A Shakespeare Workshop and Study Day, which focused on the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.
LAUDERDALE HOUSE
The 2013 company party was held in the conservatory of the kitchen garden at Lauderdale House on London’s Open Garden Squares weekend. This year, our summer tea party focused on highlighting environmental concerns, which has been a commitment of the company since our foundation. Andy Atkins, Director of Friends of the Earth gave valuable support to Val in writing:
“I do believe we need to link the arts and sciences in a much more concerted push for sustainability urgently. All power to you!”
We also staged a performance from The Book of Thel by William Blake, in which he envisions the connection of the whole of creation. This was directed by Val and performed by actors Yvonne Bonnamy, Laura Carey and Catherine Harvey.
We then shared tea listening to the fabulous duo Two For Tea Music, sung by Wendy Morgan and Heather Simmons.
HOLLYWOOD AT THE V&A
In 2012, as part of The Friday Late for the V&A Hollywood Costume Exhibition, The Live Literature Company celebrated its 10th Anniversary, inviting everybody to come dressed as their favourite Hollywood character.
The company received greetings and congratulations from many celebrated writers, including Sir Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett, and Brian Friel, all of whom have supported the company since it was launched in 2002. The company also received messages from celebrated actors including Derek Jacobi “Huge Good Luck!”; John Shrapnel “I hope it goes well and is a fitting celebration for your company – which you should be extremely proud of!”; and Anna Carteret “Sadly I am playing Maman in Uncle Vanya at the Vauderville. But I shall be with you in spirit”.
Many members and friends of The Live Literature Company attended this fantastic evening that brought the glamour of Hollywood to London.
Above (left to right): Heather Simmons, Wendy Morgan (both from Tea for Two Music), and Val. In her greeting to the guests, Val read a handwritten card sent to her by Sir John Gielgud in response to the research she conducted for her previous staging of Clothes for a Summer Hotel by Tennessee Williams. Val said The Live Literature Company had always followed Gielgud’s example of quality performance.
Above Left: Heather Simmons and Wendy Morgan from Tea for Two Music.
Above Right: guests enjoying the party.