The Byron Bay Writers’ Festival 2013 has folded its marquees, but the writerly events are set to continue.
Ruby Wax, one of the UK’s most recognisable comedians, writers and performers, is coming to town Thursday August 22 to present a version of her West End hit show Out of her Mind and engage in conversation with writer and journalist Edna Carew. Presented by the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, this one-off 90-minute presentation will take place in Byron Community Centre Theatre from 6pm.
After arriving in an unsuspecting Britain from the US in the 70s, Ruby began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company before carving out a niche as creator of some of UK TV’s most memorable moments. She worked extensively for Channel 4 and the BBC, in a variety of documentary and comedy chat formats. Her writing for and appearances in Absolutely Fabulous perhaps remain her most internationally recognised calling card.
After a stage, TV and radio career spanning three decades, Ruby Wax has changed direction, completing both a Psychotherapy diploma and a Masters Degree in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from Oxford University. Having suffered from depression at an early age and throughout her life, Ruby was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1990s. She has recently published Sane New World, a guide to saner living, in which she explains how our minds can jeopardise our sanity and how, in order to break the circuit, we need to understand the workings of our brains, rewire our thinking and find calm in a frenetic world. Not simply a force of nature, Ruby Wax is now a mental health campaigner.
‘We’ve barely drawn breath after the biggest Byron Bay Writers’ Festival ever, but how could I not present this spectacularly brilliant woman to our locals?’ said NRWC Director Jeni Caffin. ‘I have adored Ruby’s brash, outrageous wit for decades. I was a massive fan of Don’t Miss Wax and Ruby Wax Meets. I could never forget her interviewing Madonna, with a pair of knickers on her head. Now we get to meet her in a new guise and one that I know our community will totally embrace.’
In the words of Stephen Fry ‘Ruby Wax has an extraordinary mind and she has brought it to bear with trademark wit and searing honesty on the subject of that mind, and the minds of all of us.’
Forget the brain training gimmicks advertised on television and take the time to be entertained, inspired and informed. Become the master of your mind. Join Ruby Wax in the Byron Community Centre Theatre, 6pm, this Thursday August 22. Tickets are $30 and bookings essential at www.nrwc.org.au and 6685 5115.