MEMBERS of a local drama group have achieved quite a coup.

Acclaimed writer, Miranda Seymour will make a special guest appearance at “An Evening with Jean Rhys”, which will be staged in Cheriton Fitzpaine on Saturday, May 18, in partnership with Exeter University.

Miranda Seymour is an accomplished writer who started her career in 1975 and has published both fiction and biography.

Notable biographies are of the poet Byron, Otteline Morrell, Mary Shelley, Henry James, Ada Lovelace and Robert Graves.

Her most recent biography is of Jean Rhys and her passion about this enigmatic and complicated author led her to visit all the places that influenced Rhys throughout her life, leading to the publication of “I Used to Live Here Once” (William Collins).

Research into Rhys’ life attracts many visitors to the village, and yet the majority of inhabitants are unaware that she lived there for the last 19 years of her life and was encouraged to complete some of her most important work by the local vicar and by Koan Butler, a founder member of the village drama group.

It is hoped that the event will shed some light on Rhys’ troubled yet brilliant life and works.

“An Evening with Jean Rhys - her life and writing” will take place at Cheriton Fitzpaine Parish Hall, with a 7.15pm start (bar open from 6.30pm).

Tickets, £7, are available from The Greenhouse in Crediton or Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop, or on Eventbrite.