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 Gordon Brown |
Follow the writers to the Cheltenham Fest
Authors, poets and playwrights are decamping from Hampstead and heading for the greatest literary event of the year, writes Gerald Isaaman
Chancellor Gordon Brown will talk about his vision for Britain’s future – maybe as Prime Minister – thriller writer John Grisham will be making his British debut, Bob Geldof will ruminate on his humanitarian work in Africa and actor Rupert Everett will be making an appearance.
But this year’s Cheltenham Festival of Literature, a 10-day bonanza which kicks off on October 6, will, as is customary, include nearly 30 local writers and performers among its more than 300 events.
Martin Amis will be making a rare appearance, the formidable Doris Lessing will be there, along with comedian Alexei Sayle, actress Fiona Shaw, and such well-known names as Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, David Baddiel, Nick Hornby, and Janet Suzman.
And Andrew Motion, the Poet Laureate too, who will be discussing his intimate new childhood memoir, In the Blood, a lyrical and moving book that captures the essence of a vanishing England.
Also on the score sheet is the scientist and author Lewis Wolpert, who contributes to this newspaper’s literary columns, journalist Hunter Davies, author of the controversial new Wayne Rooney biography, and award-winning children’s writer Meg Rosoff.
Political commentator Simon Jenkins will be on stage with Labour veteran Tony Benn, Al Alvarez will be discussing Sigmund Freud, and Marina Warner will be asking why do angels, ghosts, wizards and vampires continue to fascinate us.
The South African writer Christopher Hope will be there, and former local journalist Victor Sebestyen, who has marked the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revoution with a new book unveiling previously secret evidence.
Comedian Vic Reeves will be on stage, so will moralising Will Self, the poet Adrian Mitchell and once familiar Camden Town faces Claire Tomalin and Michael Frayn, plus former Chancelor Denis Healey and his wife Edna, who once dominated local life in Highgate.
Last year’s festival, the first to be sponsored by The Times, brought in record crowds, in particular to Cheltenham’s Centaur conference centre whose 2,400 seats were filled by Stephen Fry talking about poetry.
“Literature festivals are increasingly becoming one of the most important places for public discussion of the big issues of the day,” says Sarah Smyth, the festival’s artistic director. “This year the festival brings together some of the most compelling voices shaping our cultural, political and literary landscape, to create a 10-day celebration of the power of the written word.”
• For further information see the festival website – www.cheltenhamfestivals.com.
The box office is on 01242227979. Seat prices range from £3 to £15, and there are many free events as well.
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