Edwin Morgan, Liz Lochhead and Philip Hosbaum Reading / Theatre Babel staging 'Uncle Vanya'

Edwin Morgan will take part in a reading at G12 Gilmorehill on Saturday 11 May at 7.30pm. The event will mark the collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde in establishing the Edwin Morgan Centre for Creative Writing.

Two other poets who represent the past and future of the creative writing programme itself will accompany him.

Philip Hobsbaum, like Edwin Morgan, is a former teacher of English Literature at the University of Glasgow. He shall be reading from a selection of his poetry written since his arrival in Glasgow in the late Sixties.

Tom Leonard, Creative Writing Professor at the University of Glasgow, commented, "In an interview back in the late Sixties, Philip remarked that, in order to vitalise the Scottish literary scene, writers needed to be appointed as permanent staff in universities. It is no exaggeration to say that since then, through his informal writing and continued advocacy of writers and creative writing in universities, Philip Hobsbaum has been the main driving force which, along with Professor Willy Maley, has led to the establishment of the creative writing centre. It is appropriate that Philip should open Saturday's reading as, without his hard work, the writing centre would not be here."

The third contributor to the evening is Liz Lochhead who currently has three plays on the boards in Scotland. As a recipient of an honorary doctorate, she already enjoys a connection with the University and she will be joining the creative writing staff as a tutor to work with James Kelman, Alasdair Gray and Tom Leonard.

A short forum will take place after the reading.

A special theatre event will take place on Sunday 12 May at 7.30pm in the Gilmorehill G12 theatre. Graham McLaren, director of Theatre Babel, will take part with some members of the company in a discussion-forum around Chekov's play 'Uncle Vanya'.

Theatre Babel will be touring in Scotland and England from April 24 until the beginning of June with their production.

Also taking part will be Tom Leonard who has written Theatre Babel's version of 'Uncle Vanya' which is currently on tour. Liz Lochhead will also be participating. Her previous work with Theatre Babel has won her international acclaim - most notably her version of 'Medea' which toured worldwide and whose script was awarded the Scottish Book of the Year award in 2001.

Please call our box office on 0141 330 5522 or email boxoffice@gilmorehillg12.co.uk to book your tickets.

Tickets £6 (£3 concessions)

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Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

First published: 9 May 2002