SalfordOnline.com have picked the winners of our ‘Sweetly Sings Delaney’ competition, ahead of Shelagh Delaney Day on 25 November.
This now annual event sees musical, stage and poetic performances focusing on the Broughton-born poet and playwright, discussing her ongoing influence on the city and its arts scene.
We had two signed copies of John Harding’s excellent book ‘Sweetly Sings Delaney’, which covers the fascinating history of Shelagh Delaney’s first 10 years as an upcoming writer in Salford from 1958 to 1968.
John’s book is, incredibly, the only work currently available which covers this most prolific period in Delaney’s life.
For this competition we asked you: Who is the lead character in her most famous work – A Taste of Honey?
The answer was, of course: Jo, played by Rita Tushingham in Tony Richardson’s iconic 1961 film adaptation.
Gerard Brehony (pictured) from Eccles said. “I’m delighted to have won the competition, I am a big fan of social realism and kitchen-sink drama so I wlll be really looking forward to reading the book.
“I have seen the film A Taste of Honey on several occasions and I seem to recall part of it being filmed at Barton Swing Bridge, Eccles.
“Shelagh Delaney was a wonderful talent and I am proud that she came from Salford and helped put us on the map.”
School administrator Hazel Lines, from Salford, told us: “I am over the moon, I never win anything so this has really made my day.
“It’s fantastic news and I can’t wait to read the book, I have seen the film and think it’s wonderful.
“I still can’t believe that I have won, I’m in a state of shock, but I’m really happy and I can’t thank you enough.”
Coming up for Shelagh Delaney Day this year are 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’.
