Natalie Haynes in Conversation: Women in Greek Myth
Refocus your gaze on the women of Greek mythology with the author of A Thousand Ships, in conversation with poet Nikita Gill.
The Greek myths are among the world's most important historical building blocks – they’re all around us, deeply embedded into our culture and stories.
But the travesty is, modern tellers of Greek myth have usually been men; who have pretty consistently shown little interest in telling women's stories – and when they do, women are often painted as sex objects, vengeful or just plain evil.
But Pandora – the first woman, who according to legend, unleashed chaos upon the world – was not a villain to the Greeks, Helen didn’t always start a war, and even Medea and Phaedra have more nuanced stories than generations of retellings might indicate.
Come and join Natalie Haynes in conversation to refocus our gaze on the remarkable women at the centre of these ancient myths.
From Pandora to Helen of Troy, Medusa to Medea and of course the Amazons, this is an evening of amazing stories and life-changing new perspectives.
Natalie Haynes is the author of six books, including Pandora’s Jar: Women and the Greek Myths and A Thousand Ships, which was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020.
She has written and recorded six series of Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics for BBC Radio 4.
Part of WOW – Women of the World festival.
Need to know
For ages 14+
This event is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).
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Purcell Room
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An accessible toilet is located in the foyer.
A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.
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Purcell Room is located in Queen Elizabeth Hall. For step-free access please use Royal Festival Hall JCB glass lift to Level 2 and enter via Riverside Terrace.
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Please bear with us while we update our access map to reflect the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces. The step-free routes remain the same.