Thursday, 18th

19.00 BST

Entertainment through the Centuries: A History of Clowns

In this lecture we will travel back in time to the origin of the clown as an entertainment figure and as the icon of the travelling circuses. How did the idea of the clown as a comedy character come to life? How has the character developed through the ages? Why the red nose and the make up? This, and many more questions about the enigmatic clown character will be answered in this lecture. We will talk about the different clowns that have amused and amazed their audience through history.

Tuesday, 23rd

19.00 BST

Kawaii Aesthetics – the Culture of Cuteness and Laughter in Japan

Join us for an illuminating exploration of the role of humour and laughter in Japanese culture through the lens of “kawaii.” From adorable characters to quirky expressions, “kawaii” embodies a unique blend of innocence, charm, and playfulness. Through various examples, we uncover the intricate ways in which humour and laughter, as epitomised by “kawaii,” serve as powerful tools for communication, social cohesion, and self-expression in Japan.

Wednesday, 24th

18.00 BST

Sinister Satire: the Art of Pieter Bruegel

Delve into the amazing world of 16th-century Netherlands with an exploration of the masterful satire of Pieter Bruegel. In an era where art served as a powerful tool for moral instruction, Bruegel emerged as a virtuoso of darkly comedic commentary, using his canvases to dissect the follies and foibles of society with razor-sharp wit. This talk invites guests to unravel the layers of Bruegel’s seemingly whimsical images, revealing the profound depths of his very serious humour.

Thursday, 25th

18.00 BST

Mythic Laughter

In Greek mythology, tricksters have always played an important role, often using humour to bring about wisdom. Why has humour always been an essential element when human beings try to make sense of the world around them? Join us as we explore the role of humour and laughter in ancient mythology and meaning-making.

Monday, 29th

18.00 BST

Japanese Calligraphy – ‘mask’

In Japanese culture, the character 面 symbolises the very surface of our face and carries a number of meanings: from the nuanced intricacies of facial expressions to the delicate artistry of masks and disguises.It also refers to human identity. Join us as we examine the cultural significance of 面 and its implications on language, humour, and the essence of being in Japanese society.

Tuesday, 30th

18.00 BST

Death of the Sitcom?

This session will consider the format of the sitcom, introducing ideas and characteristics of what was once a staple of television. This session will discuss a range of American and British shows, including Seinfeld, Frasier, The Office and Peep Show to explore what comedy is, how the sitcom has changed and whether it has a future.     

Thursday, 2nd

18.00 BST

Childhood on Screen: Exploring Allegories in Iranian and World Cinema

World cinema has turned to the child as a significant figure to explore social issues. In this talk, we look at the number of ways in which filmmakers from all over the world use the child figure to explore society and culture. Then, we turn to post-revolutionary Iranian cinema to dive deeper into the treatment of childhood, thinking about the ways in which the child figure offers strategies for directors to bypass censorship.

Monday, 6th

19.30 BST

Poetry Reading: childhood chronicles

Join us as we delve into literary works and enjoy masterpieces read out loud by amazing actor – Matthew Peter-Carter! Our May theme explores childhood.

Thursday, 9th

18.00 BST

Magical Children in Mythology

Mythology is filled with stories of magical children. From the Celtic children of Lir to Luke Skywalker, from Moses to the Magical Girls of anime, we have long been fascinated by this important mythical archetype. Who are these magical children and what have they trying to teach us? Join us for an intriguing dive into the stories of youngsters with magical giftings in our myths, both ancient and modern.

Wednesday, 29th

18.00 BST

Becoming a Better Creative Problem Solver through Steampunk Art and Design

Steampunk fuses art, technology and history, and necessitates multi-directional, divergent or opposite thinking. It combines opposites of Past and Present/Future; Form and Function; Art and Science; Human and Machine; and Mechanical and Botanical. In this lecture, steampunk artist Bruce Rosenbaum will give you insights to use opposite thinking in your passions, work and life.