Bestselling authors in Byron and Lismore
Byron Writers Festival presents two bestselling authors – Yann Martel and Lionel Shriver.
Yann Martel will appear in conversation with Matthew Condon.
Yann Martel is the author of Life of Pi, the number one international bestseller and he is also the award-winning author of The Facts Behind the Helsinki, Roccamatios, Self, Beatrice and Virgil, and a book of recommended reading: 101 Letters to a Prime Minister.
Born in Spain in 1963, Yann Martel studied philosophy at Trent University, worked at odd jobs – tree planter, dishwasher, security guard – and travelled widely before turning to writing. He lives in Saskatoon with the writer Alice Kuipers and their four children.
See Yann on Thursday 1 September, 6pm at Byron Theatre. Tickets $30/$35 www.byronwritersfestival.com or 6685 5115.
Author Lionel Shriver in conversation with David Leser
Arguably the most perceptive and topical author of our times, Lionel Shriver is the Orange Prize-winning author of We Need to Talk About Kevin. She will discuss her new novel The Mandibles, about the decline that might await the United States all too soon.
Tuesday 6 September, 6.30pm, presented in partnership with NORPA at Lismore City Hall.
Tickets $30/$35 www.norpa.org.au or 1300 066 772.
The Patrick Pearse Motel
The Ballina Players have a treat for you…
There’s money in Irish history realise Fintan Kinnore (Mike Sheehan) and Dermod Gibbon (Daniel Richards). They named The Patrick Pearse Motel after one of the greatest heroes and martyrs in the 1916 Rising against English rule. He was executed for his leadership role.
Each of the motel’s rooms is named after another national hero, and Fintan and Dermod plan to open a chain of motels, cashing in on pride in Irish heritage.
The ancient, comical and slightly senile caretaker Houlihan (Mike Harris) is proud that he too was out in 1916 and loves to show off the rooms at the motel.
Written by Hugh Leonard and directed by Sue Belsham, The Patrick Pearse Motel will be staged at the Players Theatre from September 9 till 18, Thursdays to Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 2pm.
Book online at www.ballinaplayers.com.au or at Just Funkin Music, 6686 2440 (a booking fee applies).