Name: Imagining Beyond: The Eeriness of Place – in person talk
Start: 2026-01-28T18:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-28T19:30:00+00:00
Location: Bath Road, BS4 3EW Bristol, United Kingdom

$Imagining Beyond: The Eeriness of Place \u2013 in person talk$

Join Dr Mary Steadman, Artistic Director of Dust Ensemble, for an atmospheric and thought-provoking talk that dives deep into the uncanny power of derelict mansions, eerie rural landscapes, and downtrodden towns.
As “English Eerie” and “Folk Horror” rise in popularity and creep further into the mainstream, this is the perfect moment to look at why unsettling landscapes and derelict places captivate us. The eerie doesn’t reveal its source — it’s a feeling that 'things are not what they seem', disturbing our sense of reality and opening us to the mysterious and inexplicable.
This unique evening draws on the work of M. R. James, David Lynch, PJ Harvey, and thinkers like Mark Fisher and Robert Macfarlane. Through personal stories and performance footage, Mary shares how she explores the eerie in her creative process and how it connects with English folk horror.
Please note: tickets are non-refundable, and seating is unreserved.
About our speaker
Dr Mary Steadman has recently completed her practice-based PhD, ‘Embodying the Eerie’ (2025) in performance-making at Bath Spa University. She has over 30 years experience as an academic and practitioner. Find out more.