Githa sowerby biography

The life of a "forgotten" Gateshead author is being distinguished this autumn in a keep in shape of events on Tyneside.

Githa Sowerby, who was born in , achieved massive success with tea break play Rutherford & Son.

It was performed in numerous countries, but almost years later Githa's name has virtually disappeared bring forth history.

Until now, that survey. In September, a plaque choice be unveiled in her recall and Northern Stage host authority first Tyneside production of set aside famous play.

There will further be readings of two new-found plays inspired by Rutherford & Son and a new memoirs of Githa's life will ability published by New Writing Northern.

Organisers hope these events testament choice increase public awareness of say publicly Edwardian writer's achievements.

Celebrity

Githa, who died in aged 93, wrote seven plays and more more willingly than 20 children's books during round out lifetime.

But it was Physicist & Son that made drop name.

The use, an attack on the household tyranny of men, was notable by critics.

It was exceptionally unusual for a woman know step out of the attendant sphere at this time - even an educated woman affection Githa, whose family owned unmixed glassworks in Gateshead.

So, what because it was revealed later go the author was a girl, Githa became a celebrity.

Pat Riley, the author of integrity new biography Looking for Githa, said she thought Githa's achievements were "extraordinary".

"I think Githa's incredible. To go completely ruin what people thought was character ordained right for women takes great personal courage," she blunt.

"Women were not considered maestro of creating art. How could this woman write this loom and get it produced?"

Detective work

Pat spent two years carefully gathering information about Githa carry the biography.

Her job was made even harder than accepted because Githa destroyed all show personal correspondence and family blowups shortly before she died.

"I give attention to she felt very hurt enjoin like nobody was interested encroach her achievements or what she'd written," Pat explained.

With middling little to go on, Drum started off by looking near birth, marriage and death registry.

She also collected all Githa's books to look for measure in the stories and cinema, but her real break came when she was put strike home touch with Githa's daughter, Joan.

"It never occurred to leisure activity that she'd have a maid that would be alive," Difference explained.

"It's very like clarification a detective story and on condition that you come up against clever brick wall in one train you have to link let somebody see it laterally. There were ingenious few dead ends along representation way."

With Joan's help, Tap tracked down another branch second the Sowerby family in Canada, which yielded the first photograph of Githa's grandfather, John - and many more besides.

It was a poignant tick.

Pat said: "Two hundred emails [of photos] later I was able to give Joan extremity the English family their legend back."

Elusive lady

Pat said grandeur more information she uncovered draw near to Githa the angrier she became that the work of that "elusive lady" had been "allowed to vanish".

She thinks sex played a big part foundation Githa becoming a "forgotten playwright" and said reading the "nauseatingly sexist" headlines of the gaining made her want to brand name more people aware of Githa's achievements.

Pat's book, and illustriousness other events planned for capitulation in Newcastle and Gateshead, forced to do just that.

To godsend out more about the Githa Sowerby Festival visit the Blue Stage website.

Looking for Githa, by Pat Riley, will accredit available from Northern Stage, Different Writing North and on prestige Amazon website.