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• GEOPARK FESTIVAL 2024

EVENTS

The 2016 Birthday Celebrations Programme

15 Sep

Torre Abbey

Celebrate Agatha Christie's birthday

Marking 100 years since Christie wrote her first published novel, and created famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot
Thursday 15th September marks the birthday of the Queen of Crime, and her birthplace of Torquay is hosting a very special event to celebrate 100 years since she wrote her first published novel. It was in 1916, aged just 26, that Agatha wrote The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the novel that introduced Hercule Poirot to the world.

Royal Mail Stamps
The programme includes an exclusive early evening event with Royal Mail, who will launch a special anniversary set of Agatha Christie stamps nationally that very same day, inspired by Christie's extraordinary creativity. Hear from the stamps' artist about the inspiration behind the designs, and from Royal Mail's Editorial Manager on the process from inspiration, through royal approval, to print.
First day, commemorative covers and other stamp souvenirs will be available to purchase at Torre Abbey. For full information, click here.

Closed Casket
To mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of Poirot, the latest adventure of the Belgian detective, Closed Casket, will be published globally on 6th September. The author of the book, Sophie Hannah, herself a passionate Agatha Christie fan, will be in Torquay for the birthday celebrations, answering your questions on her inspiration and discussing her love of Christie. Find out more about the mystery, listen to Sophie’s anecdotes, and bag yourself a signed copy. Click here for more information.

The Witness for the Prosecution
The birthday event will be topped and tailed by Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie’s grandson. Mathew will open the celebrations with a reading of the famous short story The Witness for the Prosecution, first published in 1925 and shortly to be adapted into a major new BBC production by Sarah Phelps, the screenwriter behind last Christmas’ big hitter And Then There Were None, starring Aidan Turner and Charles Dance.
The evening will draw to a close as fans join Mathew to raise a birthday glass to Dame Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime.

In addition, there will be book signings from artist Tom Adams and Dr John Curran.
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Programme of Events
1.30pm: Agatha Christie stamps on sale at Torre Abbey
2.30pm: Mathew Prichard reads The Witness for the Prosecution
3.45pm: Sophie Hannah on Closed Casket
5.00pm: Devonshire Cream Teas
6.00pm: Royal Mail Agatha Christie stamp launch event
7.15pm: Closing speech and birthday toast to the Queen of Crime
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Tickets
Buy your tickets here now!

Ticket One: £15.00
Includes: Mathew Prichard reading The Witness for the Prosecution; Sophie Hannah on Closed Casket; Devonshire Cream Teas

Ticket Two:  £15.00
Includes: Devonshire Cream Teas; Royal Mail event; closing speech and birthday toast

Combination Ticket £25.00
Access to all events throughout the afternoon/evening