Talking Chester
Sat 23 May
|Chester Picturehouse
A full day of talks, films and Q&As celebrating Chester's stories, characters and communities — from Vikings to department stores, gladiators to giant puppets.
Time and Location
23 May 2026, 11:00 – 17:00
Chester Picturehouse, Unit 10, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
About the Event
A full day of talks, films and Q&As celebrating Chester's stories, characters and communities — from Vikings to department stores, gladiators to giant puppets.
Settle in for a packed programme at Chester Picturehouse, with a stellar lineup of speakers, historians and local legends. Step outside at 1pm to catch the festival launch day in full swing, then return for an unmissable afternoon. All are welcome.
11am:
20 Years of Parades and Puppets: In Conversation with Russell Kirk
Two decades of Chester's beloved Midsummer and Winter Watch Parades — and the stories behind them. Join creative director Russell Kirk in conversation with Neuza Morais of the University of Chester for a Q&A delving into the puppets, the people and the processes that have brought communities together on Chester's streets for twenty years.
12pm:
Maria Barnard: Memories of Brown's of Chester
A love letter to one of Chester's most iconic buildings. Maria Barnard worked at Brown's from 2002 to 2021, documenting its closure through a series of video reports from her base in the Blue Room womenswear department. This illustrated talk traces the evolution of the Brown's building — from the story of The Rows to the growth of the business and the recent arrival of H Beauty — told with the warmth of someone who knew it intimately.
1pm:
Break: Go and explore the festival launch day outside!
2pm:
The Vikings Are Coming! Ingimund's Folk and the 10th-Century Viking Presence Around Chester
The arrival of a band of Vikings from Dublin on the Wirral is one of the most overlooked chapters in English history — yet it's said to have had a hand in securing King Edward of Wessex's throne and boosting Chester's importance as a trading centre. Join Alfarr Bjartrssen and Skarde Bjornson to set the Viking settlements around Chester in their historical context, discover what daily life looked like for a 10th-century Viking, and get up close with replica artefacts from the era.
3pm:
Ben Kane: The Spartacus Rebellion
Kenya-born, Irish by blood and UK-resident, Ben Kane has sold more than two million books worldwide and has eleven Sunday Times Top Ten bestsellers to his name. His passion for history has taken him to more than 60 countries — including hundreds of miles walked in Roman military gear. In this talk, Ben focuses on his Spartacus series, exploring the research, the drama and the human stories behind Spartacus: The Gladiator and Spartacus: Rebellion.
4.30pm:
Sh*t Chester: The Movie
Chester's most outspoken community voice — on film. Former Chester Chronicle journalist Carmella De Lucia turns the tables on the man behind Sh*t Chester in this filmed interview, exploring twelve years of holding a mirror up to the city. Candid, funny and thoroughly Chester. The film showing is strictly 18+.
FAQs
Is the venue fully accessible?
Yes, this event is fully accessible.
Is this event suitable for children?
This event is designed for adults with an interest in history and heritage. Children are welcome to join, though the content may not hold the attention of younger visitors! The film showing is strictly 18+.