Writers and space specialists on our relationship with the Moon

50 years since the first mission to land on its surface, join us to reflect on the Moon’s past, present and future with guest speakers including Alice Bunn (UK Space Agency), TV science presenter Dallas Campbell, Moon Festival director Livia Filotico and biographer and historian of science Richard Holmes, in an entertaining and illuminating evening devised and hosted by Unlimited Theatre and hosted by Jon Spooner.

Alice Bunn is International Director at the UK Space Agency, responsible for international engagement through multilateral and bilateral frameworks, capturing the wider societal benefits of space programmes and harnessing the inspirational effect of space for skills and education. She also leads security and resilience of the UK’s infrastructure and space applications. Alice is vice chair of the Council of the European Space Agency; sits on the Board of Directors at the US Space Foundation; and is a member of the Imperial Space Lab Strategic Advisory Board; co-chair of the World Economic Forum Future Council on space technology; and is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Dallas Campbell is one of the most popular factual presenters on TV. He presents the series Science of Stupid (Nat Geo) and previous credits include The Sky at Night (BBC 4), the Horizon Guide series (BBC4), Bang Goes the Theory (BBC1), The Gadget Show (C5), Stargazing Live (BAFTA nominated BBC2), Supersized Earth (BAFTA nominated BBC 1), City In The Sky (BBC2), Britain Beneath Your Feet (BBC1), Tutankhamun: The Truth Uncovered (BBC1). Beyond television Dallas is an ambassador for UK science education and in 2016 he was a guest director of the Cheltenham Science Festival. His critically acclaimed debut book Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet looks at the history science and culture around human spaceflight. He also collects spacesuits.

Livia Filotico is founder and Director of Moon Festival (19 – 16 July), an all-encompassing lunar celebration incorporating art exhibitions, music performances, pop science lectures, moon gardens, moonlit film screenings, night food markets, street parties and much more. She is a social anthropologist trained at Goldsmiths University, a creative producer, and a passionate supporter of disruptive forms of communications.

Richard Holmes is a writer best known as a historian of science and as biographer. His books include Shelley: The Pursuit, (1974) Coleridge: Early Visions (1989 Whitbread Book of the Year), Dr Johnson & Mr Savage (1993 James Tait Black Memorial Prize), Coleridge: Darker Reflections (1998, Duff Cooper Prize, the Heinemann Award shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize). Footsteps: Adventures of a Romantic Biographer (1985) and Sidetracks: Explorations of a Romantic Biographer (2000). Later books are The Age of Wonder (2008 shortlisted for the 2009 Samuel Johnson Prize), an examination of the life and work of the scientists of the Romantic age who laid the foundations of modern science and Falling Upwards: How we took to the Air (2013). 

Jon Spooner (host) is am a writer, director, performer, founding member and the Creative Director of Unlimited Theatre – a multi award winning company that works with artists, scientists, technologists and educators to create plays, adventures, games and events that aim to change the world for the better.

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