THE BUNTING is up, the cakes are being baked, and the cups of tea are being prepared for this year’s Henley Literary Festival, which kicks off on today (Monday).
Featuring hundreds of talks, readings, workshops and performances for young and old alike, the festival has become one of the biggest literary features of the year, attracting huge names from the worlds of politics, entertainment and current affairs.
Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith will be discussing her new book, Relish, and reflecting on her remarkable life and her return to the small screen during a talk at The Kenton Theatre on Wednesday October 4 at 2.30pm. Tickets are still available and cost £12.50.
One of the greatest Shakespearian actors of our time, Michael Pennington, will be taking to the Kenton Theatre stage on Sunday, October 8 at 11am to talk about portraying King Lear in Brooklyn. As one of the founding members of the English Shakespeare Company, Pennington has travelled the world as an actor and director, as well as starring in a number of big screen films such as Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and The Iron Lady. Tickets are £10.
All-round entertainer Johnny Ball will be talking about his new book, Wonders Beyond Numbers, again at The Kenton Theatre on Sunday, October 8 at 1pm. Johnny will be aiming to inspire people with his love of maths, and show them how numbers, and how they have developed, have enhanced our lives. Tickets are £10.
X Factor host and broadcaster Dermot O’Leary will be showcasing his new children’s book, Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape, at Phyllis Court on Sunday, October 8 at 5pm. Featuring a reading from Dermot and live illustrations from the book’s illustrator, Nick East, come armed with your paw-esome cat jokes to tell Dermot in the Q&A at the end or in the book signing. Tickets are £10.
BBC journalist Victoria Derbyshire will be sharing the story of her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery in an inspiring talk at the Town Hall on Tuesday, October 3 at 6.30pm. Tickets are £8.
Politician Nick Clegg will discuss the last dramatic few years of British politics in his talk at Phyllis Court on Wednesday, October 4 at 10.30am. From emerging as the star of the 2010 TV election debates and five years as Deputy Prime Minister to being one of the most passionate pro-European voices in parliament and losing his Sheffield seat in June, he will certainly have a lot to discuss with chair Daniel Hahn. Tickets are £12.50.
Bestselling novelists Katie Fforde and Rowan Coleman join forces to discuss how they conjure up the plots that prove so popular with their thousands of readers. The talk takes place at the Town Hall on Wednesday, october 4 at 6.30pm.
All of these talks and lots, lots more will be taking place between October 2 and October 8 at various venues across Henley. For more information, to browse the events and to book tickets, visit https://henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01491 575 948.
