SalfordOnline.com have two copies of John Harding’s Sweetly Sings Delaney book to give away ahead of the annual celebrations for the Broughton-born poet and screenwriter Shelagh Delaney.
Salford now marks 25 November as ‘Shelagh Delaney Day’ in tribute to one of the city’s most famous and most challenging writers.
Local resident Louise Woodward Styles came up with the idea in 2014 as part of the Spirit of Salford campaign, and now the day of celebration is supported by artistic performances, exhibitions and public talks to promote creativity in Salford.
Upcoming next week is a series of performances at Salford Arts Theatre on Kemsing Walk which celebrate Delaney’s work and influence.
On Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 November the theatre will host ‘All About and to A Female Artist’, a world premiere of a musical adaption of Delaney’s short story of the same name.
An actor will also read out the winning story from a writing competition launched in her honour by the University of Salford; the top 20 stories will be published in an anthology, the ‘Shelagh Delaney collection’.
Watch: Artist Harold Riley honours ‘sweeheart’ Shelagh with Salford plaque
John Harding’s Sweetly Sings Delaney tells the story of the first decade of Delaney’s writing career, when she produced some of her most challenging and evocative work.
In the 10 years from 1958-1968, immediately after the first performance of her defining work, A Taste of Honey, Delaney suffered much aggravation and hostility from her home city, despite bringing national attention to Salford.
Incredibly, Sweetly Sings Delaney it is thought to be the only academic work covering the author and this period in her life.
SalfordOnline.com were the first media outlet in the country to review the book.
It’s a stunning piece of work which makes for fascinating reading and is essential for Delaney fans.
Among investigating in great detail the works she produced in her most prolific period, John Harding tells about the circles that she moved in: going to Buile Hill Park cafe with the Salford artist, Harold Riley, drinks with Brendan Behan, working with Wolf Mankowitz, Ken Russell, Tony Richardson, Lindsay Anderson and Albert Finney, to name but a few.
Now with the second annual Shelagh Delaney Day approaching, SalfordOnline.com have two copies of the book to give away to two lucky readers.
Just answer this simple question: ‘What is the name of the lead female character in A Taste of Honey?’
Email your answer to newsdesk@salfordonline.com, along with your full name, address and daytime contact number.
Winners must be able to pick up their prize from the SalfordOnline.com offices on Bright Road in Eccles.
The competition closes at 12 noon on Thursday 19 November.
