Monday 2nd February 2026

The Trouble with Fire:
Prometheus and Pandora
Mary Sharp
 

Mary Sharp explores the background and impact of the classical myth in which Prometheus steals fire from the gods.  His actions lead to two terrible punishments but also a major step forward in how humans view themselves and their power.  Mary goes back to the original sources and tracks the story through time from Adam and Eve through Frankenstein to the girlfriend of Adrian Mole.  

​

Mary Sharp

Mary is an experienced broadcaster and teacher with particular expertise in literature and drama. She worked for many years for BBC Radio 4 producing some of its most popular programmes including Start the Week and Woman’s Hour before joining the senior management team as a Commissioning Editor. Mary has subsequently worked as a teacher and Director of Sixth Form at a leading girls’ grammar school. She now runs her own company 'Opening Up Literature' which offers literature courses for adults including studies of Shakespeare and Creative Writing. Her most popular course is 'Telling Tales' which explores how writers and artists have reinvented classical stories. She is also a professional bridge teacher and lecturer.