We start with a pre-show discussion to get refreshed on the characters and store, and share perspectives with other readers.

Facilitators from Blackwell’s and Capital Theatres guide the discussion and will keep an eye on time to make sure you get over to the theatre in plenty of time to get settled; pick up your tickets, find your seats, pick up a programme or a drink.

After the show, we meet up again to have a quick debrief discussion to see how you enjoyed the show, what you noticed from the adaptation and how things differed from the book.

For shows at the Festival Theatre

The pre-show discussion takes place on level 1 of Blackwell’s South Bridge. Then we head across the road to the Festival Theatre for the show, this is just a few minutes’ walk away. After the show we meet up in the Festival Theatre Cafe on the ground floor.

For shows at the King’s Theatre

We start the discussion in the Upper Circle bar Nook, which is on level 2 of the King’s Theatre. After the show we meet up in the King’s Theatre Cafe on the ground floor.

It is a discussion about the book so it helps to be familiar with it, but you don’t always have to have read it immediately before. Some people come along who have read it some (or many!) years ago. Sometimes people studied the text in school, or have only seen screen adaptations but really love the story, so we can weave those into the conversation too.

The book club is a welcoming and casual space. The conversation will be guided by Matthew (or sometimes a special guest) from Blackwell’s to explore how the group feels about the story, characters and themes of the book. Everyone is welcome to share their thoughts from reading the book and then we see where the conversation takes us.