News archive 2010

English PEN student group perform at King’s

31 Mar 2010, PR 71/10

Last night (30 March), the inaugural English PEN student group, based at King’s, put on a performance of ‘Another Sky: Voices of Conscience from Around the World’, in the Anatomy Museum, Strand Campus.



The script comprises extracts from the anthology of the same name, which is published by English PEN. All of the writing is by imprisoned writers throughout the world, with whom PEN have worked.

English PEN is a registered charity working to promote literature and human rights. From defending the rights of persecuted writers to promoting literature in translation and running writing workshops in schools, English PEN seeks to promote literature as a means of greater understanding between the world’s people.

The script was first performed at the launch of the anthology, held at The National Theatre in 2007 and featured Michael Palin, William Boyd and Fiona Shaw. The student group, who performed last night, breathed new life into it as part of the Writers in Prison Committee’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

The performance was directed by Abbie Bergstrom (third-year English Literature) and Susie Christensen (MA in English Literature: 1850-the present). The cast comprises six English students, and one Law student.

Abbie Bergstrom says: ‘It has been such a wonderful opportunity for me to direct this performance. I am so glad that King’s has established the student PEN group, enabling students to get involved in projects such as this.’

Second-year English student Mirabelle Walley says: ‘I have really enjoyed getting involved with PEN through the group here at King’s. I am hoping to continue my connection with them through taking up the Writers in Translation internship at PEN.’



Notes to editors

English PEN
English PEN is a registered charity (number 1125610), working to promote literature and human rights. From defending the rights of persecuted writers to promoting literature in translation and running writing workshops in schools, English PEN seeks to promote literature as a means of greater understanding between the world’s people. English PEN’s work is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, donors and members. http://www.englishpen.org/


King's College London
King's College London is one of the top 25 universities in the world (Times Higher Education 2009) and the fourth oldest in England. A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has nearly 23,000 students (of whom more than 8,600 are graduate students) from nearly 140 countries, and some 5,500 employees. King's is in the second phase of a £1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its estate.

King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading. The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly £450 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has more Medical Research Council Centres.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: www.kingshealthpartners.org.



Further information
Alison Denyer
Senior Communications Manager
Public Relations Department
Email: alison.denyer@kcl.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7848 3073

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