Following hot on the heels of York's hugely successful Literature Festival, Read Write York is promoting a varied programme of literary events during the coming weeks.

From Friday 30 March to Saturday 21 April,  York Theatre Royal and Riding Lights Theatre Company will be presenting the world premiere of 'African Snow'. The production marks the bicentary of the abolition of the trade in African slaves. It tells the story of the meeting of English sailor John Newton, who is well known as a converted slave trader, and Olaudah Equiano, the leading black voice in the British abolition campaign whose ascent from the hell of a slave ship is a compelling and moving story.

Both survived to write remarkable accounts of their experiences and were urged by Yorkshire MP William Wilberforce to testify before parliament as part of the eighteenth century campaign for the abolition of the slave trade.

Tickets for the production at York Theatre Royal are available from the box office on 01904 623568.

After-show discussions with the cast and director will take place after the performances on  4 and 18 April.

Other literary events taking place in  April include:

Sunday 1 April - a Dream Catcher writers' workshop at the Royal Oak pub on Goodramgate.

Monday 2 April - the Tang Hall reading group will welcome author Marian Husband, who will discuss her latest novel 'Say you love me'.

Tuesday 3 April - a Spoken Word poetry and prose 'open mic' event at the Exhibition Hotel.

Thursday 5 April - a performance of 'Vikings, ghosts and way-back-when', Adrian Spendlow's new show of stand-up storytelling, at William's Bar on Goodramgate.

Friday 6 April - York Poetry Society's members' evening at Jacob's Well on Trinity Street.

Saturday 7 April - A poetry workshop at Guppy's.

Wednesday 11 April - A 'Speaker's Corner'  event at The Yorkshire Terrier on Stonegate will offer local residents an opportunity to showcase their work.

Thursday 19 April - A 'Women and Words' event at Jacob's Well.

Tuesday 24 April - A 'Writers@York Library' event will provide an opportunity for writers to meet to share their work and receive supportive feedback.

Thursday 26 April - Riverlines and Read Write York is inviting people to attend an evening of witty dialogue and insights into writing with novelist Ray French in the basement bar at City Screen.

For more details about any of these events, email read.write@york.gov.uk or telephone 01904 554316.