Katharine Susannah - Red Witch or Lavender Lady?
Coming up on Sunday 6 October, we invite you to visit the KSP Writers' Centre for a wonderful spring day of commemoration activities at our free ‘Colours of Katharine: Red Witch or Lavender Lady?’ community event to mark the 50th anniversary since author Katharine Susannah Prichard passed away.
As you might know, Katharine was a woman of many hats: Lavender for her love of the scented herb (and gardening generally!), and Red Witch for her association with Communism. She was a fascinating local personality who worked tirelessly in the pursuit of art and peace. At this event, you can explore her many facets.
Complete our KSP treasure hunt to go into the draw to win a prize.
Grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee and home-made cake at the KSP Café, and follow the delicious smell of onions to our sausage sizzle stall for lunch.
Get set to kick up your heels and join in a Charleston interactive dance demonstration on the front verandah, echoing the footsteps of Katharine herself, who danced on the same spot with friends and family over 80 years ago.
We are also running two guided heritage tours; both are not to be missed!
Peruse the historic exhibitions and photographic displays, and bag yourself a free giveaway at the lavender stall: a 'gift' for you from Katharine. How can that be? Come along to find out.
Pop into one of our market stalls to purchase a home-made jam, commemorative bottle of wine, book, souvenir play programme or lavender craftwork.
The day will also feature a fantastic line-up of anthology launches and special guest talks, including from local historian Nathan Hobby, who will trace the final stages of Katharine’s life through her weekly letters to her son, Ric, giving a picture of her daily life at 11 Old York Road Greenmount, as well as reflecting on the meaning of death for a biographer.
The launch of KSP's 2019 commemorative anthology Kaleidoscope by Katharine's grand-daughter Karen Throssell will offer readings from the competition winners.
In the afternoon and evening, you can also book yourself a ticket to see the one-act play Potchnagoola. Potchnagoola explores the unlikely but firm friendship between Katharine and the teenaged musical prodigy, David Helfgott, during the late 1960s. Written by David’s sister, playwright Louise Helfgott, this play is a unique event not to be missed. Tickets from $25. Bookings can be made here.
This event is brought to you by the KSP Writers’ Centre with support from the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries and the Shire of Mundaring. Our local sponsors also include Swan Magazine, Earnshaw's Real Estate, Minuteman Press, Peta Shaw, Nathan Hobby, Shey Marque, Mundaring & Hills Historical Society, and Wild Weeds Press.
To book your ticket to the play or to view the full schedule of events, please visit the KSP website www.kspwriterscentre.com or phone the office on 08 9294 1872.
