As part of the Islands of Women Collective, writer-in-residence Alice collaborated with musician Piers Lewin (Full of Noises) on a film that winds together, among other things, his music, with quotations and research from Alice’s books.
Here they screen the fruit of this collaboration, the short art film, Zenae—accompanied by music and sounds made and recorded by Piers in the Isles of Scilly, readings from ancient and modern words about British islands, including Cwen—in an exploration of the metamorphosis that occurs when words and music meet.
About Alice
Alice Albinia is the award-winning author of twinned works of fiction and non-fiction. Her non-fiction book Empires of the Indus: The Story of a River, published in 2008, won six prizes in Britain, Pakistan, France and Italy, including a Somerset Maugham award. Her new non-fiction book is about Britain and its islands. The Britannias, a portrait of Britain which knocks the centre out, is forthcoming from Allen Lane/WW Norton in 2023.
Alice’s latest work of fiction, Cwen, set on an archipelago off the east coast of Britain which comes under female rule, out now with Serpent’s Tail, was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. She worked as an editor and journalist in Delhi, teaches and lectures in universities and schools, and has travelled all around the edges of Britain, piecing together ancient, medieval and modern myths of islands ruled by women.
This workshop is taking place in person at Exeter Custom House and is Pay What You Can. There is also the option to attend all of Alice’s events on Sunday 4th December by purchasing our Pay What You Can writer-in-residence all day ticket.
Cost: Pay What You Can*
*Suggested prices: Screening ticket: £5 / All day ticket: £20.
The all day ticket is also valid for our workshop and in conversation events at 11am and 4.30pm. We want everyone to be able to access our writing opportunities so we subsidise all of our ticket prices. We ask that you pay what you feel able to contribute towards the cost of this workshop. To do this, you can modify the suggested price when booking.
Accessibility Statement: Events take place in historic rooms on the first floor of the building. There is step-free entry to the ground floor and a lift connects the ground and first floors. If you have particular access requirements please phone or email the Custom House Visitor Centre in advance of your visit.
There are five free disabled parking spaces for registered Blue Badge holders next to the Exeter Antiques Centre immediately in front of the Custom House. Maximum stay is three hours.
Please email Quay Words on quaywords@literatureworks.org.uk with any accessibility enquiries. We can accommodate free tickets for carers or personal assistants if needed – just email us after booking to let us know.