GUEST SPEAKERS & STORYTELLERS
ASH BAYLISS – 30th & 31st
Tolkien was influenced by many places- however the influence of Birmingham and Sarehole is often overlooked. Join Ash Bayliss for a talk on how his early experiences in and around Birmingham influenced some of the people and places in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. What’s more, he’ll tell you where you can still see some of these influences today- providing you know where to look!
Follow Ash: Ash Bayliss
TOM AYLING – 31st only
In 1990, a signed first edition of The Hobbit appeared on Antiques Roadshow and, to the surprise of its owner, was valued at £3,500.
The 36-years since then have seen an increase in interest in signed and collectable books by J.R.R. Tolkien that is unmatched by any other 20th century author. If the same book were to come on the market today, it would sell for hundreds of thousands.
But as Tolkien’s works, and his autograph, have increased in value, so too has the prevalence of forgeries and the willingness of forgers to take more audacious risks. It has never been more likely that you are looking at a forgery when you are holding a book with Tolkien’s signature in it.
In this talk, the rare book dealer Tom Ayling will share both some of the extraordinary Tolkien items he has handled, recount stories of audacious frauds and forgers, and show you how to tell if what you’re looking at is a fake, or worth a fortune.
DOMINIC RUSSELL – 30th & 31st
Dominic Russell performs Beowulf in schools and festivals. This is a modern retelling of text with nods to the original. Be thrilled as the hero Beowulf wrestles the troll Grendel, shudder in terror at Grendel’s mother and sigh as the hero finally succumbs to dragon venom. He even punches a whale!
Dominic will also being hosting our Tolkien quiz on Sunday at 3pm, we have a fantastic prize for the winner of this.
Dominic also runs Coventry based Tolkien Society Smial “The Rangers of Mordor Minor” A monthly meet up group, reading and discussing all things Tolkien!
JASON BUCK – 30th & 31st
Jason has been a performer most of his adult life, including gurning, comedy and sword swallowing, but his passion lies in stories – ‘there’s nothing like getting lost in a story, the pictures in your head are better than film’. Jason has written and published seven illustrated collections of stories and has won prizes for his storytelling.
A teller of tall tales, a weaver of whimsies and a fashioner of fables, Jason draws on traditional favourites and new ideas. His stories are told in the oldest and best ways – as live performances for modern audiences. As well as a global online audience, Jason has performed across the UK and mainland Europe, blending traditional and contemporary motifs, vocal sound effects and pure, unadulterated fantasy.
ᚼᛅᚴᛋᛘᛁᚦ᛫ᛒᚱᛅᚴᛅᚱ᛫ᚼᚢᛅᛏ᛫ᛅᚱ᛫ᛋᚴᛅᛚᛏ᛫ᚾᛅᛘᛅ᛫ᚦᛅᛏ (trans: Hagsmið bragar. Hvat er skald nema þat? // Skilled Smith of Verse: What is the Skald [storyteller] but this?)
Follow Jason: FACEBOOK
