PHILIP Pullman and John Cleese are just two of the big names appearing at Stratford Literary Festival this autumn.
The festival, which runs from October 30 to November 2 , will feature more than 70 events over the four days, including bestselling authors, broadcasters, comedians, historians as well as emerging writers, workshops and immersive events for families.
Pullman will be launching The Rose Field, the final instalment of his globally successful The Book of Dust trilogy – a momentous occasion for the many millions of his fans who have followed the adventures of Lyra over 30 years – while Cleese will be celebrating 50 years of Fawlty Towers.
Others big names attending include broadcaster and bestselling author Graham Norton who will be talking about his latest novel Frankie, and former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon who will be talking about her book Frankly.
The BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet will be talking about the hopes and tragedies of Afghanistan through the lens of one of its most famous hotels, BBC Radio 6 presenter Mark Radcliffe will share his travelogue, while politician turned Goggleboxer Gyles Brandreth will celebrate 100 years of Winnie the Pooh and the darker
story behind the creation of the beloved bear.
Actor and Time Teamer Tony Robinson turns to fiction, and the creator of the Slow Horses phenomenon Mick Herron reveals the latest Slough House instalment.
Following on from the Lionesses Euros success on the football pitch, Sue Campbell and Denise Lewis talk about the transformative power of sport, and player turned coach Martin O’Neill considers the great football managers of recent times.
The programme’s politics and current affairs strand will see former judges among others consider the challenges to law and democracy, while historic events both ancient and modern will be put under the spotlight by leading historians.
Other hot topics on the agenda include everything from toxic masculinity to the asylum system, and the crisis in prisons to environmental crime carried out by global corporations.
But there will also be plenty of laughs with the Live at the Apollo comedians Cally Beaton and Rhys James, a special tribute to the late Victoria Wood, and Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page will be talking about a career that’s includes Love Actually and life on Barry Island.
For families, the author Maz Evans brings the Bard to life with a new adventurous tale, there’s crafting and free Halloween fun, and a comic workshop with Phoenix Comic star Thiago Moraes. Gamers can also learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Festival director Annie Ashworth said: “This is the biggest autumn festival we’ve staged yet, and we’re really excited by the stature of some of the speakers and the broad reach of the programme which we think includes something for everyone – whether your interest is comedy, history, world affairs, great fiction, wine, crafting, or you simply want
to come and hear experts and learn new things.”
Visit stratlitfest.co.uk for tickets and full details.
