Television, screen and theatre star to give free talk at UCLan

7 November 2017

George Costigan will officially open UCLan Great Northern Creative Festival

A television, screen and theatre star will visit the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to share tricks of the trade and discuss his 40-year career.

George Costigan, star of the 1987 hit film Rita, Sue and Bob Too who has also recently appeared in the award-winning television drama Happy Valley and Jed Mercurio’s Line of Duty, will come to Preston on Monday 13 November to officially open UCLan’s annual Great Northern Creative Festival.

During the free public event George will talk about his career highlights including roles in Shirley Valentine, Calendar Girls, Scott and Bailey and Emmerdale to name a few.  Adding a new string to his bow, George has also recently released his debut novel The Single Soldier, a story set in wartime France during the German occupation.

George said: “I believe in the arts, it's given me my life. I also believe it's a duty to support the arts locally, all over the country, because culture and the arts add hugely to people's lives.”

"I believe in the arts, it's given me my life. I also believe it's a duty to support the arts locally, all over the country, because culture and the arts add hugely to people's lives."

It is the fourth year of the six-day UCLan Great Northern Creative Festival, which aims to showcase the creative talent in media, film, photography, journalism and performance at the University.  The event began as a platform to promote top quality student work and now attracts well-known national and international names, allowing the local community, students and staff to come together and enjoy the stimulating and thought-provoking event.

George will official open the Festival on Monday 13 November at 6.30pm in UCLan’s Media Factory.  The event is free but people need to register for tickets, which can be found on Eventbrite.  A screening of Rita, Sue and Bob Too will follow the ‘In Conversation with’ style discussion with George, to mark the 30th anniversary of the iconic film.

Alan Keegan, Director of Business Development – UK Partnerships and Great Northern Creative Festival Co-ordinator, said: “Here at the University of Central Lancashire we are delighted to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Rita, Sue and Bob Too and we’re honoured to have George Costigan here sharing his words of wisdom as part of the UCLan Great Northern Creative Festival.”

To learn more about George’s book, The Single Soldier, visit Amazon or contact his publisher matthew@urbanepublications.com.