Big names due in town

Civic Hall plays Host to some big names

Now in its third year the Stratford Literary Festival will be offering a wide array of events to attract visitors from all age ranges as well as attracting some famous names to help provide a broad appeal.

The event will consist of numerous author events for adults and children, an Archers themed pub quiz and creative writing workshops as well and celebrating 800 years of the Holy Trinity Church.

The festival will run for nine days starting on April 25 and some of the highlights include:

• An Evening with Jack Dee. Britain’s most miserable comedian in conversation with James Rampton
• Comedian, award-winner and Radio 4 panelist, Jeremy Hardy, on his hilarious new book My family and Other Strangers
• BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson CBE talks about Unreliable Sources, How the 20th Century was Reported
• Holy Trinity 800th Anniversary 'I know thee not old man...' A panel including Jonathan Miller CBE, Salley Vickers (author of Miss Garnet's Angel) and Kate Mcluskie, Director of the Shakespeare Institute, discuss how old age is portrayed in literature from King Lear onwards...Hosted by Paul Allen with readings by Charles Dance OBE
• Felix Dennis Millionaire publisher back by popular demand Cabaret style
• Writing the opposite sex? Booker shortlisted writer Mick Jackson. chick-lit supremo Mike Gayle and novelist and ex-Eastenders producer Louise Berridge join a panel who’ll be finding out how easy it is to write for and as the opposite sex. Hosted by Fiona Lindsay

For full details of everything that is going on and tickets visit the official website or call the Civic Hall box office on 01789 207100.