May 31, 2006
By Lucille Davie
Joburgers can now indulge their love of books with a first for the city: five evenings of conversations with different authors "In Conversation".
The brainchild of Radio 702 talk-show host Jenny Cryws-Williams, "In Conversation" will consist of five top writers being interviewed by five top personalities. These talks will take place at the People's Theatre at The Civic Theatre from 20 June to 24 June.
"This is a project I've worked on for three years. There is no question that there is a need for this kind of event in Johannesburg (and nationally as well); people are hungry for books and they are equally hungry for entertainment. This is a melding of both needs," says Cryws-Williams.
The five authors are: Philippa Gregory, Fred Khumalo, Richard E Grant, Kingsley Holgate and Zakes Mda. They will be interviewed by Cryws-Williams, Debora Patta, Barry Ronge, David O'Sullivan and English masters student Redi Direko.
The author's life and books will be the focus of each conversation. Afterwards, the audience will be invited on stage to have their books signed by the author, whose books will be on sale in the foyer prior to the interview.
"Each author and each interviewer has been chosen to appeal to the widest possible audience." Romance, autobiography, movies, exploration and new South African fiction will be tackled over the five evenings.
Cryws-Williams, an author of around a dozen books, has carefully matched authors and interviewers to enhance the writers' stories and lives.
In addition, each interviewer is a personality in their own right.
Cryws-Williams stresses that it is not a literary event but rather an "entertainment event with a difference". "It is designed to be an intimate experience: the People's Theatre seats 170 people, so no one is far from the stage."
She is hoping to attract people who do not normally read, people who would "come because they want to be entertained – and possibly be so excited by the evening that they would read the book in question. And then another …".
Five years ago Cryws-Williams formed Jenny & Co, which now has a database of 2 500 people. They are invited to informal book events: a once-a-month book lunch or evening, an annual Big Book Brunch, or a yearly Great Read Weekend.
A Barefoot & Blacktie Book Bash is planned for later this year.
Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa and Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni are among the subscribers to Jenny & Co.
Bookings for In Conversation can be made at Computicket. Tickets are R140. The show starts at 8pm, and there will be a cash bar.
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