Forum 2000 met actress Vanessa Rosenthal whose autobiography was greeted with acclaim recently at Leeds Playhouse.

As the title suggests this was a life which had many stages. It was appropriate that it should be acclaimed by the playhouse, a theatre Vanessa had acted in, in her years in rep. But as her talk revealed there were many fascinating aspects to her life. Acting took her all over the country but marriage brought her to live in Leeds as the wife of the Recorder of the University of Leeds with the duties of a University wife.

Her mother, a Lancashire farmer’s daughter converted to Judaism to marry her GP father and her own husband came from Yorkshire farming stock. Like her mother she yearned to be part of her Jewish heritage and in later life went to Poland to track down her Rosenthal ancestry. She became a writer for radio and stage and her works include novels and poetry.

The life she described was diverse and amazing and because she herself was interested in so many parts of the life that opened up she made it all fascinating.

On November 17 Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Peace Studies, the University of Bradford will give the Edwin Barlow Memorial Lecture. Professor Rogers has given this address for many years in recognition of Edwin’s achievement in founding the Forum in 1978. Each year his measured reflections have put the dangers facing the world into perspective. Forum 2000 meets on Wednesdays at 10am in The Grove Centre, New Street, Horsforth LS18 4BH. The entry charge of £2 includes refreshments. All welcome but owing to Covid 19 you need to book a place. Details: 0113 2583521or hm.taylor1@ntlworld.com

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