“Theatre, Crime and Sensation: Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Hull and the East Riding” Exhibition and Public Lunchtime Lecture, Hull History Centre, Janine Hatter

From 24th February to 13th March 2015, Hull History Centre, UK, will be holding an exhibition to celebrate Braddon’s time in Yorkshire. Yorkshire was vital to Braddon’s careers as an actress, poet, playwright, short story writer and novelist. Braddon joined Hull’s Messer. Wolfendon and Melbourne’s Theatre Company in 1856-7 and played Hull’s Queen’s Theatre and Beverley’s Assembly Rooms. She returned to perform in Hull’s Theatre Royal in 1859, and had her final curtain call in Hull in 1860. She also published her first poetry in the Beverley Recorder and General Advertiser from 1857, and wrote her first novel, Three Times Dead/The Trail of the Serpent, while a Yorkshire resident.

To launch the exhibition, there will be talks and a drinks reception on Wednesday 25th February, 4-6, at Hull History Centre. This launch is open to the public and is free to attend. Dr Anne-Marie Beller, from Loughborough University, will give a talk on Braddon, followed by readings of Yorkshire-related sections from Braddon’s work.

To accompany this exhibition, there will also be a Lunchtime Club Lecture, given by the curator, Dr Janine Hatter, 12.30-1.30 on 10th March, 2015. This lecture will elaborate more fully on Braddon’s time in Hull and the East Riding, and will endeavour to answer any questions asked by the public. This lecture is also free and all are welcome.