Germaine Greer to headline Welsh festival

Feminist author and campaigner Germaine Greer has been unveiled as the headline act for a festival in Mid Wales.

One of the most significant feminists of the last 50 years, Greer will appear at The Family Shakespeare Festival on Saturday. The festival is taking place at The Living Willow Theatre, near Llanwrthwl, Llandrindod Wells, and will see her talk about her new book, Shakespeare's Wife.

Kama Roberts, the theatre's administrator, said she was delighted to have booked Greer for the festival and was sure dozens of people would turn out to see her.

She said: "We are thrilled to have secured Germaine Greer for the festival.

"After her talk, Germaine will hold a question and answer session which naturally spreads to cover almost any subject Professor Greer has written on in her long career."

Performances

Germaine Greer became a household name after her book, The Female Eunuch, became an international best-seller in 1970.

She is the Professor Emeritus of English Literature and Comparative Studies at the University of Warwick.

Ms Roberts added: "This will be a chance to access some incredible professionals alongside some wonderful community performances."

Other events include workshops and talks from Shakespeare experts Tim Caroll and Andrew St George.

Also, The Factory Theatre Company will perform As You Like It on Saturday and The Seagull on Sunday. The theatre company will also be offering a performance element to workshops and discussions.

Ms Greer hit the headlines in 2005 when she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, walking out after five days claiming the contestants were hungry for fame.

Meanwhile, the Living Willow Community Company, which is organising the festival, is busy rehearsing for a performance of Twelfth Night.

Performances are set to be held between August 20 and 22.

By Andrew Morris