exetreme imagination festival in Exeter

The exetreme imagination festival of writing and stories has started with an outdoor extravaganza, creative workshops and performances around Exeter.

Events so far have included:

• Uncle Tacko’s Imaginarium and Isabella’s Story Cycle entertained young audiences outside Exeter Library with stories, magic and a flea circus.
• Author Meg Rosoff was in conversation with Nicolette Jones - Children's Books Editor for the  Sunday Times. Before an audience of people of all ages, they talked about Beck, a book written by Mal Peet and finished by Meg Rosoff after Mal’s death.
• A drama workshop with Exeter Northcott Theatre and RAMM explored how the characters in Lois Lowry’s young adult novels interact with the changing world around them.
• Author David Almond and published David Fickling joined Meg Rosoff to discuss “Swearing, Drinking, Race and Sex” in young people’s literature.

The festival is a collaboration of Exeter’s arts and culture organisations along with the University of Exeter, who come together to produce an exciting programme of events aimed at young people, age 2 to 25.

exetreme imagination continues until 29 October with a packed programme of author events, creative workshops and performances at venues across the city.

Highlights to come include:

• Tiger! Tiger! – a workshop exploring storytelling using British Sign Language.
• At the Bike Shed Theatre, a story about a farm machine with mysterious powers will be performed as the culmination of a project with The Wardrobe Ensemble, Farms for City Children and the children of Orchard Vale Primary School.
• Award-winning author Anthony McGowan will introduce the hero of his book The Donut Diaries, and bring a few gross-out moments from The Bare Bum Gang.
• Rounding off the festival, master storyteller Michael Morpurgo will talk about his work at Exeter Northcott Theatre, while at the University’s Forum, there will be a family fun event with creative activities and a workshops based around stories and writing. 

Festival Director, Prof Debra Myhill said: “Young people’s imaginations have really gone exetreme in the festival so far. We’ve had hilarious moments, serious discussion and everything in between. I’m looking forward to lots more excitement in the week to come.”

exetreme imagination runs until 29 October at cultural venues throughout Exeter.  A full festival programme is available at www.exetreme.org.