Historian and Author Dan Cruickshank Joins Greenwich Talking Head Season

Architectural historian and author Dan Cruickshank is the latest 'Talking Head' in the series that has packed Greenwich Theatre over the last two years through the likes of Germaine Greer, David Starkey and Nigel Marven.

Sixty-eight-year-old Cruickshank, whose talk and Q&A session will be held at the theatre on Sunday, February 25 (7.30pm), has been a regular on BBC television as presenter of architectural programmes such as One Foot in the Past and The House of Detectives.

"I'll be talking about all things that architecture touches - art, culture, science, engineering - and I hope I can bring them all together through an over-arching narrative," he said.

"Architecture helps people define their sense of themselves, and that's why historic sites like Stonehenge and Pompei are incredibly popular. They reveal how important art is to people, firing our imagination and sense of romance.

"I went to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban and found giant buddhas that had been destroyed by them. It's a recurring theme. I care and other people care but how much do some governments care about what might be seen as a bunch of old stones? Architecture helps us create the present and hope for the future."

Dan has campaigned against threats to buildings and their neglect. In 1996 he launched the Euston Arch Trust dedicated to the rebuilding of the arch. He said: "I was a hands-on campaigner in the mid-seventies to save buildings from greedy development schemes. It's not only the philosophical aspects; I just like to get stuck in."

Dan knows Greenwich well and talked about the "alchemy of theatres". He said: "Theatres are places where things trasform into something alive. Shakespeare was a magician, wasn't he? Greenwich is inner London but still retains its village-like qualities. It's a very distinctive place with its covered market."

His talk will centre around his book, A History of Archtecture in 100 Buildings, which has his introduction: "Architecture is an all-embracing adventure without end."

James Haddrell, Greenwich Theatre's artistic and executive director, said: "We are delighted to be continuing our Talking Heads programme, launched last year with sell-out talks from Germaine Greer, David Starkey, Nigel Marven and more.

"There surely could not be a better place for Dan Cruickshank to host a discussion about iconic architecture from around the world. We are lucky in Greenwich to be home to some of the world's most iconic buildings, with the work of Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor just a stone's throw from the theatre.

"The evening will offer the chance to hear Dan talk about these buildings alongside the likes of The Pantheon and the Taj Mahal - and he has promised to throw in a few surprises too."

FIND out more at www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk. For tickets call the box office on 020 8858 7755.

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