Wednesday 9 September 2026
7.30pm in the Parish Church Hall
Disorder Restored: the Radical Side of Agatha Christie
Lecturer: Benedict Morrison
Agatha Christie is often dismissed as a writer of intriguing but lightweight novels which are no more literary than the average cryptic crossword. If her work is credited with any political meaning at all, it is seen as self-evidently reactionary and outmoded.
This talk suggests that Agatha Christie's work can be seen from a different perspective, her fiction reveals a deep sense of disorder beneath the surface of polite society. Rather than simply restoring order through clever plots, her work can be read as a sharp exploration of social unease and political instability, positioning Christie as one of the twentieth century’s most perceptive chroniclers of a world under strain.
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Programme of Lectures for 2026
The programme of lectures for 2026 can be found by clicking on THIS LINK.
Details of all the lectures can also be found under the Future Lectures tab.
OUR NEXT VISIT
Wednesday 23 September 2026
Vist to Highgate Cemetery, London
Highgate cemetery is the most well-known of London’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries which were built in the 1830’s in a ring around London to alleviate the overcrowding in the central churchyards.
We will have a guided tour of the west side which is the older half. Here we will find elaborate gothic architecture, beautiful headstones and fascinating stories to go with them – even rumours of occult happenings and vampires. The cemetery is overgrown and extremely atmospheric. Amongst many others George Michael and Alexander Litvinenko are buried here.
We will be visiting the well-known Egyptian Avenue and the Terrace Catacombs. After the tour, you have the opportunity to visit the East cemetery where Karl Marx is buried.
The trip will be by train and tube and involves a 20-minute walk or a bus journey to reach the cemetery. The guided tour will last for about 90 minutes.
Further details and the important Expression of Interest form can be found by following this LINK
Zoom Access Scheme
The Arts Society Head Office has received feedback that many members, for various reasons, would like to continue to view lectures and other content at home via Zoom. As you know, the Arts Society Leatherhead no longer offers Zoom, but if you would like to take advantage of this scheme, you can register online for the Zoom Access Scheme. Members would still belong to their local Society and pay their subscription but would have access to the online content of other Societies either for free or upon payment of the appropriate fee to the Society whose content they will be accessing.
For further details please follow this link:ZOOM
Arts Society Videos and Lectures
There will be a number of members who would like to continue enjoying Arts Society Lectures from the comfort of their own homes. There are two excellent sources on Youtube which feature Arts Society lecturers:
The Arts Society video channel - which can be found by following this link CLICK HERE
The HENI talks channel - which can be found by following this link - CLICK HERE
You can also view the videos via our website - CLICK HERE
About our Society
The Leatherhead Arts Society was founded in 1997 and is one of 375 local Arts Societies across the UK. Benefits of Society membership include:
- A wide range of talks by Arts Society ("AS") accredited speakers
- A chance to vote on our talks
- Regular mailchimp newsletters on our plans and the arts
- Exciting day trips (possibly virtual), tours and occasional arts quizes
- Possible opportunities to take part in Heritage Volunteering
- Monthly Highlights and Instant Expert AS emails
- Arts Society quarterly magazine
- Short AS mini lectures by email
We always welcome new members. We meet on the second Wednesday evening of each month.