Protest: Stories of Resistance with Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Book now

Protest: Stories of Resistance with Maxine Peake

10 February 2021

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Maxine Peake
Maxine Peake.
Book now

Housmans Bookshop and Comma Press have joined forces to host two online events featuring readings from the Protest anthology by renowned British actors Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake.

Stories and essays that explore and commemorate key moments of British defiance and people power… written in close consultation with historians, sociologists and eyewitnesses.

Published in Comma’s History-into-Fiction strand, edited by Ra Page and featuring pieces by the likes of Kit de Waal and Holly Pester, Alexei Sayle and David Constantine, Protest (published in 2017) and sister publication Resist (out last year) are anthologies of stories and essays that explore and commemorate key moments of British defiance and people power.

Written in close consultation with historians, sociologists and eyewitnesses, the authors reimagine campaigns and uprisings successful and unsuccessful – “from Boudica to Blair Peach, from the Battle of Cable Street to the tragedy of Grenfell Tower, from the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 to the anti-Iraq War demo of 2003”.

The two events will take place on two consecutive dates, with Christopher reading on 9 and Maxine on 10 February. Both readings will be followed by a conversation between authors and historians discussing the events depicted in the stories read by Christopher and Maxine.

After reading from ‘Withen: A story from the Miners’ Strike’ from the Protest anthology, Emmy Award-winning (and ninth Doctor) Christopher Eccleston will be joined by its author Martyn Bedford and contributing historian David Waddington, professor of communications and co-director of the Cultural, Communication and Computing Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University. Together, they will discuss their work inspired by the Battle of Orgreave, a violent confrontation on 18 June 1984 between pickets and officers of the South Yorkshire Police and other police forces at a British Steel Corporation coking plant at Orgreave, in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Martyn Bedford is the author of five novels for adults and two for young adults. His first collection of short stories, Letters Home, is published by Comma Press.

Maxine Peake – Royal Exchange and small screen regular and performer at Working Class Movement Library events including Radical Readings – will be reading the story ‘Night Cleaners’ Strike’ by Maggie Gee with input from Sally Alexander, part of the early 1970s campaign and among the protestors in the 1970 Miss World Demonstration and emeritus professor of modern history at Goldsmiths University of London. Maggie Gee is the author of a memoir, a collection of short stories and 11 novels, including The White Family, which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

Where to go near Protest: Stories of Resistance with Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake

Stevenson Square
Manchester
Stevenson Square

Stevenson Square, the central hub of bars and cafes in Northern Quarter. Home to some of the best bars in the city.

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Bruco

Bruco is a new restaurant in Ancoats, serving up stylish Italian small plates.

Samsi
Manchester
Restaurant
Samsi

Long-standing Japanese restaurant on Whitworth Street in Manchester with a pleasingly affordable menu.

The Pavilion Gardens, which also houses the Pavilion Arts Centre, is a beautiful, historic venue dating back to 1871 which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton. Set within twenty three acres of magnificent, landscaped gardens and play areas, the venue provides the perfect setting for fun and relaxing family days out, with great food and drink, shopping and over 100 events and festivals throughout the year.
Buxton
Cinema
Pavilion Arts Centre

A historic gem in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, Pavilion Arts Centre houses an intimate 360-seat theatre and cinema.

Leeds
Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery

The Sculpture Gallery is an outstanding new gallery, of pure sculpture, showcasing the work, not only of the six owners but guests also.

A club bedroom at Malmaison Leeds
Leeds
Hotel
Malmaison Leeds

Malmaison Leeds is a historic and dramatic building, full of character and individual style. Beautifully refurbished quirky bedrooms with power showers, blackout curtains and great beds.

On The Wall is a funky independent shop that sells a wide range of creative and artistic items including, posters, art prints, canvases, greeting cards and merchandise/gifts. They also offer a bespoke framing and canvas printing service and a screen printed t- shirt service. If you are looking for something more unique and inspiring they also sell work by local artists.
Leeds
Shop
On The Wall

Bright, bold and full of character, On the Wall pairs expert framing with prints, posters and gifts inside Leeds Corn Exchange.

Leeds
Restaurant
Canned Heat

Canned Heat is an independent bottle-shop & bar in the heart of Chapeltown, Leeds. Born out of a passion for Music, Art and Community.

What's on: Literature

LiteratureLeeds
Lisa Jewell at the Old Woollen

“Twisty page-turners. Domestic dramas. Bone-chilling suspense.” That’s how #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell is described by her publisher Simon & Schuster on their home page for her.

From £18.00
Jenn Ashworth at Blackwell's Manchester
LiteratureManchester
Jenn Ashworth at Blackwells

Jenn Ashworth is back at Blackwells bookshop for the Manchester launch of her latest work, reading extracts and chatting to Helen Mort about how The Parallel Path came about.

From £4.00
LiteratureLeeds
Chemistry at The Chemic

Leeds live literature regular Chemistry offers an exciting mix of open mic acts and invited poets – this month the headliners include Rosie Garland.

Free entry
Poet Mike Garry. Photo Paul Wolfgang Webster
LiteratureManchester
Word Central at Central Library

Word Central is a long-standing live literature favourite at Central Library and features open mic performers and a special guest, brought to you by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press.

Free entry

Culture Guides

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.