"What do I know?"

Veteran theatre critic Michael Billington took part in a one-hour, open interview with DMU's very own Eileen Parsons in front of a large audience. Topics included why he Mr Billington a critic, a reviewer's responsibilities, the state of British theatre, the effect of the internet on his job and much more.

Mr. Billington came across as a humble and very pleasant person with a good sense of humour, making plenty of witty and comic comments. A personal favourite was his ironic question, "What do I know?" He also seemed to be happy to be answering questions in one the Clephan Building's larger lecture theatres - no wonder the audience enjoyed it.

I hope that the the guest speakers for the rest of Cultural eXchanges are as interesting and engaging as Mr. Billington.

[anonymous]

Endings and Beginnings

Cultural eXchanges week proper began to swing fully today and - to coin an optimistic cliché - so far so good.

Day began, warmth and tea. Reading and café-stalking. Midday hits; people in the street, Clephan building filling, and latté. After me, the people file in: students; lecturers; writers, well wishers, and unknowns. Computers sing, runaways twitch, and vampire landlords fart at the police - this is a collection of readings worth hearing. A festival atmosphere, imperceptible at the edge of the air, rises.

I have bought Things, courtesy of Crystal Clear Creators, and look forward to the next day.

James G Laws