The Years That Followed: Canada preview

Next week, I’m on my way to Canada.

First stop is the Shaw Festival and I’m very excited about going there for the first time.

This is a theatre extravaganza that takes place in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, every year. From its very modest origins back in 1962, The Shaw Festival Theatre Foundation – a non-profit charitable organisation – has blossomed into a famous international event, drawing huge crowds – and big names – every year.

The company now works across four theatres: The Festival Theatre, The Court House Theatre, The Royal George Theatre and The Studio Theatre.

The company’s philosophy is to stage plays in the venue that best enhances the work being performed – the theatre spaces vary from the largest at 800 seats to the most intimate that seats a maximum of 200.

I’m looking forward to seeing Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ in the Court House Theatre and ‘Mrs Warren’s Profession’ by G.B. Shaw in The Royal George.

Once I leave the beautiful surroundings of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I’ll then make my way to Ottawa.

There, on Sunday 10th, I’ll be the guest of Austin Comerton on his hugely popular ‘Gaelic Hour’ on CHIN Radio Ottawa.

Austin and I met some years ago while I was on a literary tour of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa and he is an enthusiastic supporter of Irish culture. I’m looking forward to meeting him again on this trip.

Listen out for our interview on the morning of July 10th between 8.00 and 10.00.

I’m also delighted to accept the invitation of Jim Sherman of Perfect Books to ‘meet and greet’ readers in his famous ‘Proudly Canadian, Fiercely Independent’ bookshop and to spend an evening chatting about The Years That Followed and all things literary.

Jim has a special place in his heart for Irish writers and I know we’ll have a most enjoyable time on the 13th July, from 19.00 to 21.00. If you’re around, come and join us and support Jim’s terrific store.

Ottawa, like most Canadian cities, has a large Irish population, along with an equally large Italian community. I’m particularly happy about this, as it gives me an opportunity to meet those readers who already know of my work in Italian!

And what better way to meet each other than over a relaxed dinner?

The owner of La Piazza Ristorante, Frank D’Addario, has put together a spectacular event in the courtyard of his beautiful establishment in Manotick, Ottawa, for the evening of 22nd July.

The event will include music and conversation, a reading from The Years That Followed – in English! – and, of course, great Italian food and wine.

There will be plenty of time for a Q and A and books will also be on sale on the night.

Watch this space for further details!

My sincere thanks to all involved in organising these events, and most particularly to my friend and publicist, Helen Hansen.

Couldn’t have done it without you.

The Photos

The photos are of a previous trip to Canada in 2010, as I sign copies of my novels in an Ottawa bookshop. Also on that literary tour were Celia de Freine, Ivy Bannister, Lia Mills and Mary Rose Callaghan.

Photos by Helen Hansen.