1 hour
The Portico Library
Starting at GBP 0
Thu, 26 Mar, 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm (GMT+00:00)
The Portico Library
57 Mosley Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
Manchester 1849. Elizabeth Gaskell, newly famous author of Mary Barton, visits a young Irish prostitute in Manchester’s New Bailey Pr*son. The girl is about to be discharged onto the Manchester streets, where her old life of poverty and violence await her. Elizabeth is determined to help her, but few people will employ an ex-prostitute from Pr*son. In desperation, Elizabeth writes to Charles Dickens for advice.
Based on the real correspondence between Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens, Elizabeth and Ruth tells a story of hypocrisy and suppression, and how Elizabeth navigates the censorship and prejudice of the day to help the young girl and to write the novel about her that will ultimately be banned and burned after publication.
Also check out other Arts events in Manchester, Literary Art events in Manchester.
Tickets for Livi Michael on her new book Elizabeth and Ruth can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| General Admission | 9 GBP |
| Low Income - Pay what you can | Free |