Saturday 20th September 2025, 12:00am

Agatha Christie and the Occult

Tony Medawar


While best known for her detective stories and thrillers, Agatha Christie also wrote many stories of the supernatural, many of which were collected in The Last Séance. The occult and supernatural themes appear in many of her novels and stories, including her first short story, published in 1919.

In this illustrated talk, Tony Medawar describes some of the stories and characters that appear in them as well as the influences on this aspect of Christie’s career. Tony is an authority on crime fiction of the Golden Age as well as being a former director of the Festival. While he works primarily as a theatre director, he also edits books including The Quotable Miss Marple and the long-running Bodies from the Library series of anthologies for HarperCollins, the first of which brought back into print Christie’s long-forgotten short story ‘The Wife of the Kenite’. His most recent anthology is Wicked Spirits, which includes a lost story by Patricia Highsmith and a previously unpublished radio play by John Dickson Carr.

Venue: Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey


Accessibility

There is a drop-off point and limited parking within the grounds for disabled visitors. Entry to the Spanish Barn is relatively level, but there are a few cobble stones to cross, before entering the completely flat interior. We have space for wheelchairs, although if you let us know in advance, we can ensure that there is ample dedicated space for the number of wheelchair users. We have again raised the height of the main stage this year, so that guest speakers can easily be seen and have a hearing loop in the front half of the Barn nearest the stage. We also have two TV screens midway down the barn screening what is happening on the stage. There is a disabled toilet available to the rear of the Spanish Barn.

If you have any particular access requirements or enquiries, do please get in touch and we will do whatever we feasibly can to accommodate you. Please email admin@iacf-uk.org

Getting there

Getting to the venue

The Spanish Barn is in the grounds of Torre Abbey. This is on Torquay seafront and walkable from most hotels in the area. It is also right next to Torquay Train Station.

Parking

There is no parking in the grounds of Torre Abbey except for disabled parking. The nearest car park is Torre Valley - Torbay Council. This is a five-minute walk from the Spanish Barn.

Toilets

Toilets are available to the rear of the Spanish Barn for the duration of the Literary Festival.

Inside the Spanish Barn

Whilst we have no evening events in the Spanish Barn this year, it can get cold so please dress with this in mind.

Food and Drink

The cafe at Torre Abbey is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 4pm and is dog friendly.

A short 10-minute walk away from the Spanish Barn are a variety of cafes, bars and takeaways.

Dogs

Dogs, except for assistance dogs, are not allowed in the Spanish Barn.

If you have any further questions, please email admin@iacf-uk.org

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