Meet Arthur Meek during open day

The Michael King Writers' Centre will hold an open afternoon to celebrate New Zealand Book Month, featuring the current writer-in-residence, playwright Arthur Meek. Visitors will meet the author and look around the historic Signalman's House. 

Date: Sunday March 6

Time: 2 to 4 pm

The Michael King Writers' Centre is New Zealand’s first literary centre, set on the slopes of Mt Victoria/Takarunga in the historic Signalman’s House in Devonport. Enjoy the views, explore the heritage house, learn about the history of Mt Victoria/Takarunga and view  the collection of literary memorabilia.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to have a cuppa with the current writer-in-residence, award-winning playwright Arthur Meek.  Arthur has written for stage, screen and radio, as well as working as an actor and performer in musical comedy. His 2008 show On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking me as Her Young Lover was performed all over New Zealand. While he holds the residency, he is working on a play called The Good Times, the story of a group of friends who surf the social, political and economic upheavals of 1980s New Zealand, from heroin to the sharemarket crash.

 The Signalman's House, where the centre is based, was built in 1898 and was designed by prominent Auckland architect Edward Bartley. It is half way up the road to the summit of Mt Victoria in Devonport. There is limited parking on the summit road. Visitors can walk from the ferry or park on top of Mt Victoria or on nearby Kerr Street.

This free event is hosted by the Friends of the Michael King Writers' Centre, as part of Book Month. Visitors could combine the afternoon with a visit to Devonport village and the recently re-opened Victoria Picture Palace and Theatre.