Louis de Bernières to perform a selection of songs, poems and stories at the Abbeygate Cinema

Author of “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” Louis de Bernières (pictured above) will be performing a selection of his songs, poems and stories at Abbeygate Cinema, in Bury St Edmunds, next month.

“Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” was first screened at the cinema on Hatter Street when it premiered in 2001, and more recently the independent cinema welcomed the author in 2024 for an exclusive introduction to the film as part of the Lavenham Literary Festival.

Louis de Bernières is best known as a world-famous novelist, and has had two of his books made into films, but has been writing poetry since he was 12, and composing songs since he was 17.

He was quite surprised to become a novelist, and was just getting going again as a singer/songwriter when Covid struck.

In this show he reads his poetry, sings his songs, tells jokes and recounts anecdotes, doing what he has always done on and off since he was a young man.

He has always loved the great singer/songwriters that emerged in the 60s and 70s, and was recently described as “the English Leonard Cohen”.

Everything he does is about telling stories that move the emotions, and, of course, entertainment.

Waterstones booksellers will also be attending the evening on Friday, February 7.

with a selection of Louis de Bernières books, including his three poetry collections and his latest novel “Light Over Liskeard”. The author will be signing books on the evening.

 “We are looking forward to welcoming Louis de Bernières back to Abbeygate,” said Gareth Boggis, general manager of the Abbeygate Cinema.

“Abbeygate has a rich history of arts and culture, and with origins as a music hall, an evening of songs and poetry with a world-famous novelist is very welcome.”

“I am excited to return to my favourite cinema in Bury St Edmunds,” says Louis de Bernières.

 Tickets are on sale from https://www.abbeygatecinema.co.uk/programme/louis-de-bernieres-an-evening-of-music-poetry-and-stories/ or alternatively from the Abbeygate Cinema box office.