
Local author Alex Grant talks about his new book which sheds new light on a Soviet spy scandal that rocked early 1960s Britain. John Vassall, an Admiralty clerk, was photographed in compromising positions while working at the British embassy in Moscow in 1954, and then blackmailed into handing over defence secrets to his Soviet handlers for more than seven years.
Despite having been drugged and then raped by the KGB in Moscow, as a gay man John Vassall was shown no mercy by the British press, or the courts after his arrest in 1962. Sentenced to eighteen years in jail, he served ten years despite telling MI5 everything about his spying.
With access to newly released MI5 files, this is an explosive tale of sexual violence, betrayal, conspiracy, snobbery, homophobia and hypocrisy that blows open some of the British establishment’s darkest secrets. The Vassall affair also has an intriguing connection to the Stamford area....
Important Information
Venue: Stamford Arts Centre, Theatre
Tickets: £6 standard
Running Time: 80 minutes
Suitable for ages 16+
Fri 2 May
Yorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter has established himself as one of the standout voices of the folk, roots and...
Fri 25 Jul
Join Hannah Peacock for a fun and creative Nature day at Stamford Arts Centre on...
Sat 14 Jun
Across The Evening Sky: Josienne Clarke Sings The Songs Of Sandy Denny Indie-fo...
Thurs 12 Jun
Part of our Music In Quiet Places season Harriet MacKenzie- violin, Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton – viola, Miloš Mili...
Wed 23 Jul
The multi-award winning and highly acclaimed Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Québec’s progressive franco...
Fri 9 May
Jazz in the Cellar Bar is delighted to welcome tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett...
Thurs 7 Aug
Join our facilitator Hannah Peacock for a summer craft morning at Stamford Arts...
Wed 30 Apr
Could you be the next Stamford Poet Laureate?! Put pen to paper and enter our annual Poet Laureate competitio...