Stratford Literary Festival With

Stratford Literary Festival with

Julia Donaldson Martin Jarvis John Torode Michael Rosen Alice Roberts Chris Packham John McCarthy Hunter Davies Simon Sebag Montefiore Korky Paul Howard Jacobson Austentatious Mary Portas Writers’ Workshops Paul Gambaccini And much more...

24th April to 1st May 2016 | stratlitfest.co.uk Welcome to the 2016 Festival 3

What a year for Stratford-upon-Avon! The 400th anniversary of the town’s most famous son and we’re celebrating with a refreshing look at his work which will take us from the deserts of Africa to the hip hop of Brooklyn. In the words of his contemporary, Ben Jonson, Shakespeare was not of an age but ‘for all time’, and that’s the theme for this year’s Festival – it’s all about legacies, memories and great classics – from Charlotte Brontë to Agatha Christie, Gruffalos to Peter Rabbit. We’re also talking about food, shops and psychology, not to mention political lustings (sic), the secrets behind great careers, and ground-breaking debut writing and poking a bit of fun at the great Jane Austen. Join us for quizzes, tips on solving crosswords or inspiring masterclasses for writers of all abilities and genres.

Our thanks to our media partner The Week, to Baillie Gifford and to Stratford Town Trust for supporting our monthly book group, and to all the sponsors and supporters who enable the Festival to grow and be a credit to such a famous literary town.

To Book We would like to thank the following for their support:

Box Office:01789 207100 Our Bookseller (Open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am-2pm on Saturday) or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk

For the latest news and any programme Shakespeare400 changes,go to stratlitfest.co.uk

Stratford Literary Festival is a Registered Charity. No.: 1164662

Follow us on Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Friday 11-Sunday 13 March Thursday 14 April Sunday 24 April 5

Residential Writing Course Stratford Lit Fest Quiz Sonnet Marathon The Life of Beatrix Potter Three Ways House Hotel, For tickets call 01789 470185 Henley Street, Stratford Martin Jarvis and Mickleton Falcon Hotel, Chapel Street From 10.30am Free Rosalind Ayres From 5pm 7.30pm £15 Stratford ArtsHouse From £371.50 The Sonnet Man, AKA Devon Glover, inc burger, chips and salad 3.30pm £12 inc all meals and tutoring Brooklyn-born hip hop artist, will attempt (or veggie option) the never-before-attempted and perform “Once upon a time, there were four little Don’t suffer for your art! Our third annual all of the 154 sonnets by Shakespeare, Our annual bun fight to test your general Rabbits...” Martin Jarvis and his wife creative writing course is aimed at people in a hip hop style, only stopping for knowledge against the questions set by Rosalind Ayres join composer Richard of all abilities, regardless of where they are comfort breaks. As the town celebrates the quiz king, Martin Kinoulty. Bring a Sisson (one half of Kit and The Widow) in in the writing process - beginner, stuck, or Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary, team (max 6 per table) and see if you can a sparkling celebration of the life of one nearly there - and takes place in the lovely this will be the event not to miss! win a selection of fantastic prizes. This of the world’s most loved writers on her surroundings of the Three Ways House year’s quiz is in aid of the Festival, which 150th anniversary, performing some of Hotel, home of the world famous Pudding is now a charity, to help us build on our her magical stories. Richard composed the Club. Tutored by Orange Prize Shortlisted projects to bring together young people music for the stage plays of Alan Bennett’s author, Jill Dawson, it’s a chance to make and older members of the community, The Lady in The Van and The History Boys, real progress with your work. Full details including our link with schools in Nigeria, as well as numerous others. at stratlitfest.co.uk. through a love of books and reading. In association with Sponsored by © Yves Salmon Shakespeare400

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Sunday 24 April 7

Ted Hughes Incomplete Shakespeare Paul Gambaccini John Torode Jonathan Bate John Crace and A Year under Operation My Kind of Food Stratford ArtsHouse John Sutherland Yewtree Stratford ArtsHouse 4.30pm £8 Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 7.45pm £12 5.30pm £8 6.15pm £10 Eminent Shakespeare scholar, broadcaster, John is one of the UK’s best-known chefs, and Provost of Worcester College Oxford, Lady Macbeth: ‘Give me the daggers and One of the most familiar voices on radio, food writers and TV presenters. He’s the Sir Jonathan Bate returns to Stratford to I’ll pin the blame/On Duncan’s grooms who Paul is the only broadcaster to have had host and judge of BBC1’s top-rating talk about his masterful and controversial both are also slain./A little water clears us his own series on Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4, MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and biography of Ted Hughes - the finest yet of this deed/Though a large scotch might as well as shows on Classic FM and Capital. Junior MasterChef, presenter of A-Z of on Hughes’ turbulent life and one he says also do the trick.’ With a new abbreviated He’s appeared on almost all TV channels Cooking on BBC2 and has even presented he was ‘born to write’. Shortlisted for the text by Guardian parliamentary sketch- and, a former contributing editor of Rolling Have I Got News For You. He’ll be talking Samuel Johnson Prize, the book offers writer, John Crace, and footnotes from Stone, he was a founding co-author of about his sumptuous new book, My Kind an extraordinary insight into the poetic Professor John Sutherland, join the two The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles. of Food, and all things culinary with award- imagination of one of our greatest Johnnies for a funny and clever knock- He’ll be discussing his career and giving winning food writer Lucas Hollweg. Cooking and most complicated poets. about. Ideal for those who know their an account of his ordeal under Operation doesn’t get more enjoyable than this. Shakespeare well and those just Yewtree, a rallying call to arms to all those © Yuki Sugiura Sponsored by desperate to pass their who care about the quest for justice. English exams. © Christopher Sherwood Shakespeare400

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk 8 Monday 25 April 9

Storytime and Activities Writers’ Bootcamp Masterclass - How to Crack Cryptic for Pre-schoolers Presenting a manuscript Self Publishing Crosswords Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Ben Galley Stratford ArtsHouse 9.30am-11.30am Free 10am-11.30am £15 Stratford ArtsHouse 3.45pm £8 10am-3pm A drop in session for children aged 2+ with Come along to this one and a half hour The Times Crossword challenges tens of storytelling, play and the chance to join in informal session with best-selling writer £80 inc refreshments thousands of people over their corn flakes colouring and drawing activities. Let them Meg Sanders, running every day of the every morning. Tim Moorey - one of the Valuable support for those looking to play while you enjoy a cup of coffee in the Festival, to share any writing hiccups or paper’s crossword setters who also sets self-publish: Ben, a self-publishing expert, Baillie Gifford Festival Café. encouragement you need, and including crosswords for Festival Media Partner The will teach you his Shelf Help method of the opportunity, on Saturday 30th April, Week Magazine- reveals the secrets about DIY self-publishing, which maximises to present your ideas to an editor from getting your grey cells around the clues, royalties, creative control and affordability. one the UK’s leading publishing houses. and talks about how he goes about setting He’ll show you how to manage editing, these infuriating brain-teasers. cover design, and eBook and print publishing, and demystify the process of book marketing and run you through a range of methods for helping your book sell. Go to www.shelfhelp.info, and find Ben’s books at www.bengalley.com.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Monday 25 April 11

Queens of Crime Alice Roberts Dean Burnett Anthony Seldon and Christie v Highsmith The Celts The Idiot Brain Peter Snowdon Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Cameron at 10 3.45pm £8 5pm £10 5.15pm £8 Stratford ArtsHouse 8pm £8 Why do women make such good crime Clinical anatomist and Professor of Public (Or what your brain is really up to.) Why writers? To mark 40 years since the death Engagement in Science at the University do you lose arguments with people who Five years in the making, Cameron at of Agatha Christie, arguably the cleverest of Birmingham, Alice is the engaging know much less than you? Why can you 10 is the gripping inside story of the of them all, the acclaimed author Jill presenter of several landmark series recognise that woman but can’t remember Cameron premiership, based on over 300 Dawson joins the award-winning crime including Coast, The Incredible Human her name? Here’s why: the idiot brain. in-depth interviews with senior figures in writer Sophie Hannah (the only writer Journey, and Ice Age Giants. She writes a For something supposedly so brilliant and 10 Downing Street, including the Prime the Agatha Christie Estate has permitted regular science column and her latest book evolutionarily advanced, the human brain Minister himself. Anthony Seldon, leading to write a new Poirot novel), to discuss was shortlisted for the Wellcome Prize. is pretty messy, fallible and disorganised. headmaster, is the author of multiple Sophie’s new book, The Narrow Bed, She’ll be discussing her latest series, Neuroscientist Dean Burnett tours our volumes on the premiership from Edward and the subject of Jill’s latest novel, The Celts, with new and controversial mysterious and mischievous grey (and Heath to Gordon Brown, and is considered The Crime Writer based on the life of ideas about the tribes who are part white) matter, explaining the human brain’s one of Britain’s pre-eminent political Patricia Highsmith. Daggers will be drawn of our national DNA, yet remain one imperfections in all their glory and how biographers and contemporary historians. as we decide who’s the queen of all of the most mysterious. these influence everything we say, Peter Snowdon is a journalist and historian, crime writers. Sponsored by do and experience. © Science Uncovered and edits BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today Programme.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Tuesday 26 April 13

Storytime and Activities Writers’ Bootcamp Masterclass - The Art for Pre-schoolers Characterisation and Carpentry of Fiction Signed copies Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Kathryn Heyman by authors 9.30am-11.30am Free 10am-11.30am £10 Stratford ArtsHouse 10am-1pm and illustrators A drop in session for children aged 2+ with Come along to this one and a half hour storytelling, play and the chance to join in informal session with best-selling writer £50 inc refreshments attending the colouring and drawing activities. Let them Meg Sanders, running every day of the The making of fiction requires the play while you enjoy a cup of coffee in the Festival, to share any writing hiccups or Festival will be mysterious vision of art and the practical Baillie Gifford Festival café. encouragement you need, and including carpentry of craft. The acclaimed Orange available to the opportunity, on Saturday 30th April, Prize nominated novelist, Kathryn Heyman, to present your ideas to an editor from will lead you through the crucial elements buy at our one the UK’s leading publishing houses. for structuring great fiction. You’ll leave knowing the right questions to ask of your Pop-Up Shop novel, and with some tools to help you get through the moments of doubt and at The uncertainty. ‘The structure of [my book] ArtsHouse. owes a great deal to Kathryn’s teaching course - as she spoke, the heavens opened, angels sang.” Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Tuesday 26 April 15

Hunter Davies New Voices Andrew Hurley Alzheimer’s and The The Co-op’s Got Bananas Brushstrokes in Time The Loney Importance of Storytelling Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 3.30pm £8 4pm Free 5.15pm £8 5.30pm £8

The veteran columnist and writer talks This memoir of fictional Chinese artist, Andrew’s debut novel, The Loney, a Gothic Sylvia Vetta has written the life stories about his poignant and very personal Little Winter, is written for her American horror story set in a wild part of the of over 100-inspirational people, after memoir of growing up in Cumbria during daughter. It takes the story of Communist Lancashire coast, won the 2016 Costa which she sends them to her mythical the Second World War and into the 1950s. China beyond the death of Mao and, for First Novel Award. Published to huge island of Oxtopia. Oxford Castaways 2 was Hunter Davies OBE has been editor of the the first time in fiction, shows the birth acclaim, it was described by one Costa published on behalf of Vale House Hospice. Sunday Times magazine, and a prolific and of the radical art movement, The Stars, judge as being as ‘close to the perfect first Its founding chairwoman, Gillian Cox, amusing writer for over 50 years, writing in 1979. Her haunting love story connects novel as you can get’. A haunting tale it will join Sylvia and explain the importance about a myriad of topics from his beloved us to this time of hope for freedom may be, but its route to publication is an of story-telling for people who have lost Lake District to football and The Beatles, of expression in China, and to a man inspirational story for anyone looking to their identity through Alzheimer’s, and for both adults and children. frustrated by ‘being kept in small shoes’. get their novel published. Come and how life stories for those with terminal Sylvia Vetta is a writer from Oxford and hear its story. mental illness can be comforting for them

her long-running profile series, Oxford and those that love them. They’ll offer Castaways, has been compiled into ways to bring stories into the lives of Sponsored by two books. anyone affected by dementia.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk 16 Tuesday 26 April Wednesday 27 April 17

Rod Norland and Oliver James Simon Sebag Montefiore Storytime and Activities Najiba Feroz - Women Not in Your Genes The Romanovs for Pre-schoolers in The Middle East Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 7pm £8 8.30pm £10 9.30am-11.30am Free 6.00pm £10 Modern society and modern science The charismatic historian, presenter and A drop in session for children aged 2+ with The Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York both uphold a prevailing myth that who best-selling biographer of Stalin (History storytelling, play and the chance to join in Times Kabul Bureau Chief talks with BBC we are is mainly due to our genetic code. Book of The Year and Costa Book Award) colouring and drawing activities. Let them Journalist Najiba Feroz about his book The popular psychologist, outspoken returns to Russia and the Romanovs - the play while you enjoy a cup of coffee in the The Lovers, which tells the true story of commentator, and best-selling author glittering, ruthless and doomed dynasty Baillie Gifford Festival Café. a young Afghan, couple from different of Affluenza, uncovers the truth about of tsars and emperors who dominated

Muslim sects, who were willing to risk genetics and says our genes actually Russia’s history and at one time ruled a their lives to be together. This powerful play very little part in shaping who we sixth of the world’s surface. He tells the and profoundly moving modern day are. Oliver James’ claim that almost all enthralling story of how they created the Romeo and Juliet story puts a human face psychological differences between us and world’s greatest empire and then lost it all. illnesses that beset us are the result of to the on-going debate about women’s © Ian Jones rights and women’s place in Afghanistan our environment and upbringing will where they are still subjected to some change the way you think forever. Sponsored by of the worst human rights violations © Bella Bathurst in the world.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk 18 Wednesday 27 April 19

Writers’ Bootcamp Masterclass - Calligraphy New Voices Michael Rosen Narrative and Scene Eileen Worthington Thrillers What’s So Special About Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Shakespeare 10am-11.30am £15 10am-1pm 3pm Free Stratford ArtsHouse £35 4.30pm £10 Come along to this one and a half hour inc materials and refreshments Trigger Point informal session with best-selling writer A right-wing billionaire is standing for This isn’t a question. The acclaimed Meg Sanders, running every day of the The art of calligraphy is much admired and Parliament but it’s clear his ambitions don’t poet, Radio 4 Word of Mouth presenter Festival, to share any writing hiccups or is a useful skill for creating beautiful cards end there. Author, Andy Maslen, runs a and former Children’s Laureate will be encouragement you need, and including or invitations. In this hands-on workshop, business writing agency and this is his delighting audiences with his unique and the opportunity, on Saturday 30th April, you’ll work with Eileen Worthington, debut novel and the first in the Gabriel compelling exploration of the impact of to present your ideas to an editor from a teacher with a lifetime’s experience, Wolfe series. Shakespeare in our lives. He’ll be asking one the UK’s leading publishing houses. and practise different lettering styles, what was it like to live in Shakespeare’s using them to create small projects such The Truth Will Out time? What do we actually know about

as a book mark, a ‘Thank you’ card, a gift Following an argument with her boyfriend, him? And how does someone become label or a short quotation. You’ll also Chinese student Min Li is abducted while that famous? Ideal for adults and children. design and create an illuminated walking the dark streets of Stratford. decorated capital letter. Author, Jane Isaac, studied creative writing with The Writer’s Bureau and has published a previous novel. Shakespeare400

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20 Wednesday 27 April 21

Asquith’s Women Anthony Seldon Masterclass - Anatomy of John McCarthy Stefan Buczacki and Beyond Happiness A Successful Sales Letter In Conversation Anne de Courcy Stratford ArtsHouse Andy Maslen Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 6.15pm £8 Stratford ArtsHouse 7.45pm £12 6pm £8 7pm- 9pm £39 Sub-titled ‘The trap of happiness and The journalist John McCarthy spent more inc refreshments Professor Stefan Buczacki and the how to find deeper meaning and joy’, than 5 years as a hostage in Beirut until his the educationalist and Britain’s best- release 25 years ago this year, surviving journalist and biographer, Anne de Courcy, Or ‘How I persuaded wealthy, intelligent known headmaster is co-founder of physical and mental torture whilst unravel the extraordinary world of people to subscribe to The Economist by Action for Happiness and introduced retaining his dignity. With a strong sense of Edwardian Prime Minister, HH Asquith, and sending them – “junk mail”’. Direct mail happiness and well-being lessons to survival, he is now an acclaimed speaker, his astonishingly tangled love life - at the is variously derided as ‘salesy’, ‘pushy’, ‘ raise awareness of the discovery of and presenter on TV and radio. He’ll be centre of which was devotion to his wife, or just plain ‘dead’. But in the right hands, happiness, and the reduction of depression talking to fellow Middle East journalist and Margot Tennant, and his obsession with it is one of the most effective ways to which is so prevalent in society. He’ll be Pulitzer Prize Winner, Rod Norland, about the aristocratic socialite Venetia Stanley reach people and persuade them to buy. distinguishing between pleasure, happiness his experience of incarceration, its impact - an obsession during which he wrote her In this entertaining masterclass, business and joy, and offering an original approach on his life and his personal view of the over 560 letters (sometimes even during writer Andy returns to Stratford to explore on how to make our lives far more Middle East’s relationship with Cabinet meetings) and which Churchill how a mailing can work, with digressions meaningful and rewarding. the world today. viewed as ‘England’s greatest security risk’. into psychology, design, and rhetoric, to Sponsored by show you how to adopt - and adapt - the

timeless techniques of persuasion to your own print and digital campaigns. Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk 22 Thursday 28 April 23

Storytime and Activities Writers’ Bootcamp Masterclass - Masterclass - for Pre-schoolers Point of View, The Principles of Prose Writing a Family History with StoryVine Voice and Dialogue AL Kennedy Meg Sanders Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 9.30am -11.30am Free 10am -11.30am £15 10am-3pm 2pm - 4.15pm £80 inc refreshments £35 inc refreshments A poorly python, a mischievous pup and Come along to this one and a half hour an escapade down in the jungle all feature informal session with best-selling writer A workshop from multi-award winning Documenting a lifetime’s adventures in this magical storytelling session by Meg Sanders, running every day of the author AL Kennedy for writers beginning or a family history is both absorbing StoryVine. Festival, to share any writing hiccups or to work in prose, looking at structure, for you, and a precious memoir for a encouragement you need, and including voice and character. She will help you future generation. But where and how With mask-making, colouring and the opportunity, on Saturday 30th April, get to the core ingredients of story- do you start? You don’t have to be an sticker activities too, come along and to present your ideas to an editor from writing and show you how best to write accomplished writer to create something join in the fun! Suitable for ages 2 to 7. one the UK’s leading publishing houses. fully-functional and sophisticated prose, worth treasuring, and best-selling writer, with exercises and advice that will help Meg Sanders, will not only show you how to source and verify information and facts, towards creating characters with depth and complexity. but also help you to bring it together and present it in a way that will interest and engage your family and friends. Bring a tablet with internet capability if you have one, but not essential.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk

Thursday 28 April 25

New Voices AL Kennedy Canals - The Making Festival Book Group Romantic Comedy Serious Sweet of A Nation The Trouble with Goats Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Liz McIvor and Sheep 3pm Free 3.30pm £10 Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 4.30pm £8 5pm £8 Kate vs The Dirtboffins The Costa Award Winning author, and creative writing lecturer at Warwick Free copy for first 10 to book, or Kate Smith, a woman with the world at her Stratford is at the centre of the country’s novel available at 30% discount. Jimmy Choo clad feet, wants to buy out University, talks about her latest novel, canal network, and BBC presenter and her business partner and finally be her own Serious Sweet. Set in 2014, this is a novel curator of Social History, Liz McIvor, of our times. Poignant, deeply funny, England 1976. Mrs Creasy is missing boss, but will her horticultural research takes a journey into the heart of industrial and The Avenue is alive with whispers. empire blossom or wither? Candice Nolan and beautifully written, it is about two Britain, and discovers the people who decent, damaged people trying to make As the summer shimmers endlessly on, and Phil Parker, husband and wife writing made them (including the cheap labour ten-year-olds Grace and Tilly decide team, debut with a romantic comedy moral choices in an immoral world. As they and the greedy investors), and how they navigate the sweet and serious heart of to take matters into their own hands. and talk about the challenges of shaped our nation’s future. She’ll be joined And as the cul-de-sac starts giving writing together. London - passing through 24 hours that by the former Canal & River Trust and will change them both for ever - they up its secrets, the amateur detectives Poetry Society Canal Poet, Jo Bell, who’ll will find much more than they imagined. tell a very unusual, unbearably moving be reading some of her poems inspired by love story. Read the book then meet Joanna Cannon, these extraordinary waterways. the author of this debut novel described © Geraint Lewis 2013 as ‘phenomenal’.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Thursday 28 April 27

Graham Harvey Janet Ellis Prof Steve Jones Gordon Corera Grass Fed Nation The Butcher’s Hook No Need for Geniuses Technology and Spies Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse 5.15pm £8 6.15pm £8 6.30pm £8 8pm £10

A must for Archers fans - Graham is The actress, former Blue Peter presenter The highly-respected geneticist and The BBC’s security correspondent, whose known to millions as the agricultural story (and mother of Sophie Ellis Bexter) talks writer will be discussing his new book, last book covered MI6, talks about his editor of the long-running radio soap and about her astonishing and hugely- No Need for Geniuses, which looks at the career reporting on events such as the has written over 600 episodes. He is an anticipated debut novel. The Butcher’s wealth of talent that was wiped out by the 2015 massacre in Paris and his new book: expert on farming and farming practice, Hook is a dark and twisted tale of a guillotine in the French Revolution. Steve Intercept - the untold, and until now and has written on the subject for all young girl in 18th century London which Jones is a broadcaster and Reith lecturer, highly classified, story of the melding of the leading papers and journals. He’ll be brims with the colour and atmosphere prize-winning author and winner of the technology and espionage. His compelling talking about Grass Fed Nation - an urgent of Georgian London, as seen through the Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize for narrative, rich with historical details and manifesto and rescue plan for food and eyes of a strange and memorable young his contribution to the understanding of characters, takes us from the Second the countryside, and explaining why the woman. It’s a long way from John Noakes science. He is a regular contributor to World War to the internet age, with experts got it wrong about meat and and sticky-back plastic. (Our Books with the Daily Telegraph. astonishing revelations about espionage dairy being bad for us. Friends Book Group read for April.) carried out today.

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Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk 28 Thursday 28 April Friday 29 April 29

Henry Normal Storytime and Activities Writers’ Bootcamp Masterclass - Taking a Line Jar of Joy for Pre-schoolers Plot and Structure for a Walk: discovering the Stratford ArtsHouse with Evgenia Golubeva Stratford ArtsHouse power in poetry-writing 8.30pm £10 Stratford ArtsHouse 10am-11.30am £15 Stratford ArtsHouse 9.30am -11.30am Free 10am-3pm The comedian, television producer, poet Come along to this one and a half hour £80 inc refreshments and writer who has worked with and Join Stratford writer, Evgenia Golubeva, informal session with best-selling writer written for Rob Bryden, The Sketch Meg Sanders, running every day of the who’ll be reading the picture book, As A poetry-writing workshop to spark new Show, Gavin & Stacey and many others, Festival, to share any writing hiccups or Quiet As A Mouse, which she illustrated ideas for beginners and aspiring new poets presents his own hilarious view of the encouragement you need, and including and showing her animated short film for led by award-winning poet Jane Draycott. world through his poems. Normal, the children: I am not a Mouse. She’ll then lead the opportunity, on Saturday 30th April, In an informal and supportive atmosphere, funniest writer you’ve never heard of, also a creative workshop where children will to present your ideas to an editor from this will be a day of guided exercises for co-wrote The Royale Family with Caroline draw Mice and Elephants and come one the UK’s leading publishing houses. creating new draft poems, along with tips Ahern, set up Baby Cow Productions with up with their own story! to take home for further revision. Jane’s Steve Coogan and has performed his most recent collection Over was short- poetry with the likes of Seamus Heaney, listed for the T S Eliot Prize. She is Senior Roger McGough and John Cooper Clarke. Course Tutor on Oxford University’s Fri 29 April MSt in Creative Writing. Sponsored by

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk

30 Friday 29 April Friday 29 April Saturday 30 April 31

New Voices For All Time Julia Donaldson LITTLe MACHINe The Intimate Universe Salon Scratch Choir - Writer’s Bootcamp Poetry and Urban Fantasy The Global Reach Gruffalos Ladybirds Stratford ArtsHouse A Voyage into Space 20th Century Time Travel Sing a Sonnet in a Day Presentation Stratford ArtsHouse of Shakespeare and Other Beasts 6pm-7.10pm £10 Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Juliet Russell Stratford ArtsHouse 3.15pm Free 7.30pm £10 8pm-10pm 10.30am £8 Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse It’s poetry - but not like you’ve heard or Stratford ArtsHouse £15 inc a free gin cocktail Free with any Writer’s 4.15pm £10 4.30pm £10 seen it before. Drawing on 3,000 years We’re sending you into the galaxy. 10am-3pm £10 One Man and His Dogma Bootcamp ticket of poetry from Sappho through Chaucer, The Public Astronomer at the Royal Andi James Chamberlain’s debut novel In an event chaired by the RSC Rhetoric In a fun, interactive show Julia Donaldson Drink cocktails at the captain’s table on Following our hugely popular and Shakespeare and the Romantics, right Observatory Greenwich, Dr Marek Kukla, is an urban fantasy fiction influenced by Coach, Benet Brandreth (twice winner of acts out her stories and sings her songs a 1930s ocean liner. Drive through the successful event in 2015, composer and This is your chance to hear from the up to the modern day masters, LITTLe talks about the ways the universe affects Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and Adam the World Public Speaking Competition with a cast of five including guitar-playing noir landscape of 1940s LA. Hitch a ride BBC’s The Voice coach, Juliet Russell, expert - Orion Press Editor and Publicist MACHINe set classic poems to music our lives and the myriad ways we can Roberts. Andi lives in Stratford, works in and son of Gyles), the Shakespeare Expert husband Malcolm. The show features to Nepal on the 1960s hippie bus. We’re will once again coach a scratch choir to Sam Eades, and best-selling writer and perform them with energy, passion, connect with the stars. He’ll be joined by music promotion when not writing. (and author of Shakespeare in Swahililand) books illustrated by David Roberts, Lydia galloping through ten decades over two learn and perform in just a few hours Meg Sanders - how best to get your humour and sometimes heartbreaking poets, Nadia Kingsley and Emma Purhouse, Dr Edward Wilson-Lee and the acclaimed Monks and of course Axel Scheffler. hours as the brilliant Salon London returns one of Shakespeare’s sonnets she’s put manuscript in front of the right people. poignancy. Featuring singer Walter Wray, who’ll bring the universe to life with music Through The Window novelist, critic and literary theorist, Gabriel Come and watch the plucky mouse to Stratford to bring to life the ideas, the to music. No experience needed for our Find out the rules of submission, but also multi-instrumentalist Steve Halliwell and and poems as the auditorium becomes Samantha J Harrison is a published poet Josipovici, explore the extraordinary reach outwit the fearsome Gruffalo, and meet scenes, and the pop culture of an entire performance-in-a-day. Just enthusiasm! what publishers hope to see. Attendees of guitarist, Chris Hardy, they have appeared a canopy of space and stars, including whose writing ‘comes from the highs and of Shakespeare’s global legacy from the your favourite characters from What century. Experience your chosen decades The performance will be at 3pm. Please our Bootcamp throughout the week will with poets Carol Ann Duffy, Roger astonishing images from the Insight low of my own life and from looking at the dust bowls of Africa to the frozen plains the Ladybird Heard, Zog, A Squash and a through their scents, sounds and drinks, bring a black top to wear. also get a chance to read from their work. McGough, Liz Lochhead, and John Astronomy Photographer of the * world around me’. She’ll be reading from of Russia, and look at how he is interpreted Squeeze and Jack and the Flumflum Tree. and enjoy a free gin cocktail as you Hegley at events across the UK. Year competition. travel (*Over 18s only). her anthology Through the Window. in wildly differing cultures. ’The most brilliant poetry band Sponsored by Sponsored by in the world.” (Carol Ann Duffy). Sat 30 April Shakespeare400

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Shakespeare’s Gardens Julia Donaldson Bookshop Band Blind Summit Jackie Bennett Gruffalos Ladybirds Stratford ArtsHouse Puppet Workshop Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and Other Beasts 1.45pm Free Stratford ArtsHouse Shottery 2pm-4pm £15 Stratford ArtsHouse This clever duo return to Stratford as 10.30am 12pm £10 part of a year-long tour in which they Suitable for adults and £8 inc free entrance ticket to ambitiously attempt to release nine brand the Cottage (same day only) In a fun, interactive show Julia Donaldson new albums inspired by books. Their children from 10 years acts out her stories and sings her songs concerts are closely linked to the books Fringe First Winners, Blind Summit Theatre Gardening writer, Jackie Bennett, takes with a cast of five including guitar- themselves, with the band describing is a puppetry innovator, reinventing the you on a tour of the beautiful gardens playing husband Malcolm. The show how each inspired a song. They will be ancient Japanese art form of Bunraku of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and on a features books illustrated by David performing a selection of their vast puppetry for contemporary worldwide journey back in time to discover what Roberts, Lydia Monks and of course Axel repertoire which, given the date and audiences. In a special workshop, you can this garden and other Birthplace gardens Scheffler. Come and watch the plucky place, will no doubt include something learn about these unique puppets and meant to Shakespeare, and how he came mouse outwit the fearsome Gruffalo, inspired by the Bard himself. to know so much about plants - a fact and meet your favourite characters basic techniques to manipulate them and clearly demonstrated in his writings. from What the Ladybird Heard, Zog, bring them to life. (10+ only) ‘If Puppetry

A Squash and a Squeeze and Jack were Rock and Roll, Blind Summit would © Andrew lawson and the Flumflum Tree. be its frontman.’ Time Out.

Shakespeare 400

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Charlotte George or Jane? Mary Portas Stressed Unstressed James Holland Great Classic Novelists Queen of Shops The Impact of Poetry Burma ‘44 Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford ArtsHouse Mental Health Stratford ArtsHouse 2pm £8 3.15pm £12 Stratford ArtsHouse 4.30pm £8 4.30pm £8 As we celebrate Charlotte Brontë’s Saviour of the high street, consumer The engaging and highly-acclaimed bicentenary, a panel including three leading champion and scourge of sloppy business Again and again over the centuries, great military historian, tells how a rag-tag biographers, Claire Harman (Charlotte practice, Mary Queen of Shops brings poets have returned to themes of love, bunch of British soldiers defeated Japan’s Brontë), Paula Byrne (Jane Austen), and her energy and common sense talk to death and memory - remembrance of finest infantry and turned the tide in Valerie Dodds (George Eliot)will discuss Stratford. She’ll be commenting on the childhood joy, of happy days and beautiful Burma, in one of the most astonishing our three greatest female novelists, and future of town centres that are fast places, of loved ones we have lost, or battles of the Second World War. Holland the challenges they faced to write in the becoming a story of coffee and charity feelings of peace and being at one with regularly contributes reviews and articles period they lived. Then the (elegant) shops, talking about the secrets behind a the natural world. Best-selling biographer in national newspapers and magazines gloves will be off as they thrash out which successful business and discussing Shop Paula Byrne and GP Dr Andrew Schuman and appears on national radio. His many of these three great writers has left the Girl, her memoir of a career on the explore the impact this poetry can have books include Fortress Malta, Italy’s strongest legacy. Come along and cast cutting edge of retail. on mental health issues, and discuss their Sorrow, The Battle of Britain and his your vote. book, endorsed by celebrities like Stephen fictional WW2 series featuring Sergeant Jack Tanner. ‘A remarkable collation of Sponsored by Sponsored by Fry, which offers an anthology of poems personal experience and sensible historical to help in times of difficulty. judgments.’ Max Hastings.

Saturday 30 April 37

Become A Patron And receive 50% off Your Tickets! Howard Jacobson Austentatious Chris Packham We’re a charity and rely on Shylock is My Name Fingers in The Sparkle Jar your support to deliver our Stratford ArtsHouse projects for young people, Stratford ArtsHouse 7pm £16 Stratford ArtsHouse including a link with schools 5.30pm £10 8.30pm in Nigeria, and for older A smash at the Edinburgh Fringe, this £23 inc a copy of his book members of the community. To mark the Shakespeare400, we entirely improvised comedy play is acted out in the style of the wondrous and witty By becoming a Patron you‘ll welcome the witty Man Booker Prize- Wildlife photographer, cameraman, Jane Austen, based on nothing more than be helping us and you’ll Winning author, columnist and critic, who naturalist, self-confessed ‘swat and nerd’, a title from the audience. Be it ‘Mansfield benefit from50% off describes himself as a ‘Jewish Jane Austen’, Chris started his broadcasting career on Shark’, ‘Darcy & Hutch’ or ‘I Know What tickets* plus news and to talk about the challenges of reworking the BAFTA-winning Really Wild Show, and You Did Last Season’, no two shows are offers from the Festival. one of the Bard’s most controversial plays, presents AutumnWatch and SpringWatch. ever the same. A seasoned cast, led by The Merchant of Venice, into a novel, He’ll be talking for the first time about one of Stephen Fry’s QI Elves, present an Single Patron: £100 per year one which forms part of the Hogarth his captivating and brutally honest new eloquent, irreverent, 100% improvised Shakespeare series of reworks of autobiography and revealing the personal Couple: £180 per year take on the works of Britain’s best-loved the great plays by leading authors. battles of the man behind the familiar face. novelist, performed in period costume Please email info@ He’ll also explain how a friendship with © keke Keukelaar with live musical accompaniment. stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk a young kestrel changed his life forever. Suitable for 10+. for more information. Sponsored by Sponsored by

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Sunday 1 May Storytelling Playbox Theatre Squishy McFluff Escape - drop in workshop Daisy Hirst David Hawcock with Vanessa Woolf 10am £5 8+ Pip Jones 11am-2pm FREE 4+ 12.30pm Pop up bookmaking 10-10.45am FREE 11.15am £5 7+ £5 4+ 2.30pm £5 7+ Join Playbox Theatre for a high energy Stratford’s Community Art Group will be To celebrate 30 years since the publication workshop with role play, mime, movement Meet the much-loved Ava and her with us for a drop in session for anyone of Isabel has a parrot Another chance to join David Hawcock, of Jill Murphy’s timeless classic, Five and storytelling. imaginary kitten Squishy McFluff and join any age who’s feeling creative! on her head and a probably the leading maker of astonishing Minutes Peace, professional storyteller in their exciting adventures! friend called Simon. Find out what and beautiful pop-up books, and make one Vanessa Woolf will retell the story of the Julia Donaldson happens when he moves away and make of your own. poor elephant mum who just wants a Gruffalos Ladybirds David Hawcock your own parrot headress. little time to herself. Dino the Pooped Show and Other Beasts Pop up bookmaking Philip Ardagh 4pm £5 4+ Daddy’s Sandwich 11am £10 4+ 11.15am £5 8+ 2.30pm £5 6+ Pip Jones In a fun, interactive show Julia Donaldson Join David Hawcock, probably the leading Created from the bestselling The Dinosaur Larger than life, our Children’s Festival That Pooped series, host Alastair Watson 10am £5 4+ acts out her stories and sings her songs maker of astonishing and beautiful pop-up Guest Director will have you laughing your with a cast of five including guitar-playing books, and make one of your own. brings the books to life with help from head off as he tells you about The Grunts The Dinosaur himself! An interactive, fun One little girl wants to make her daddy husband Malcolm. Come and watch and the inspiration for his madcap stories. his favourite sandwich. Prepare to be the plucky mouse outwit the fearsome event that includes dinosaur impressions, Tickets: Oh, and then there’s his beard! live drawing, a Dinosaur rhyme and gross surprised by what she puts in it! Gruffalo, and meet your favourite Korky Paul Children: £5 per event characters from What the Ladybird Heard, games like Guess Poo. The event includes 12.30pm £5 6+ Zog, A Squash and a Squeeze and Jack Tony Ross exclusive video clips from The Dinosaur Day Ticket: £15 for the day and the Flumflum Tree. 2.30pm £5 4+ That Pooped creators, McBusted’s Tom The energetic illustrator of Winnie the Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. Plus all those Adults: £3 per event Witch welcomes you to her wonderful Meet the talented who purchase books on the day will get world with a fun-filled drawing bonanza, Adult Day ticket: £10 for the day illustrator of the the chance to have their book stamped and the chance to have your drawing from hilarious Horrid Henry by Dino. your imagination created by Korky. Julia Donaldson Event: and the Little Princess Stories and hear £10 children and adults the latest in this Sponsored by: enchanting series.

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk Winnie and Wilbur © Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul, published by Oxford University Press © Winnie the Witch illustration Korky Paul stratlitfest.co.uk Awarded ‘Outstanding and Excellent’ ISI 2015 For further information, or to book a tour with the Headmaster, please call 01789 293795 www.croftschool.co.uk Alveston Hill, Loxley Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7RL 40 Schools Festival Thanks to... Your Visit 41 We would like to thank the following Baillie Gifford The Schools Festival for their help and support: All the authors and illustrators who have given their time to the Festival; the Publishers Festival Café Bookshop 14th March to 18th March 2016 who have worked with us; Mike Flowers and James Smith at Set Square; Mike Nicholas at Shock the Senses, all at The Week; all the Staff at Waterstones Stratford; the general The Stratford Literary Festival provides an extensive managers of all our partner hotels; all at Lodders and Sheldon Bosley; Roz Adams at selection of events and workshops for schools and Cooper Adams; Rupert Barnes Photography; Susanna Wadeson at Transworld; all who Open throughout the day in the ArtsHouse Waterstones Pop-Up Shop with be young people throughout the region. Steward at the Festival; Trustees of Stratford Town Trust; The Book Charity and The Matthew Hodder Trust; Diana Owen and all at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, from 9.30 to 5pm and serving delicious open throughout the Festival at the Authors for 2016 include: Jenna Harvey and the staff at Stratford Artshouse; Tim Davis; the Stratford Herald; coffees, teas, and soft drinks, cakes, ArtsHouse, selling copies and signed Michael Rosen Laura Hughes James Richards at Vin Neuf and Alex Graham at Prontaprint; Helping Hands; Tanya Landman Chris Priestley NFU Mutual; all the schools involved in the Festival; Emily Quash and Playbox Theatre; scones and light refreshments. copies of books by all the writers and Marcia Williams Giles Paley Philips Judy Reaves and David Hamblett; Karen Williams at Escape Community Art; Lorna Miller at Baillie Gifford; Deirdre Shields, John Jefferies and Viv Groskop illustrators appearing on the Festival Tony Bradman Abi Ephinstone Café delivered by HR Café with coffee our chairpeople, and of course our audiences, sponsors and advertisers who Programme. Petr Horác’ek make the Festival possible. from Monsoon Estates Coffee Co

Photo Credits: 2015 Photographs courtesy of Rupert Barnes and Rachel Jones My Author Project 2016 This year’s project is with Philip Ardagh and Gary Festival Team: Annie Ashworth (Programme Director), Cordelia Keston (Festival Northfield working with Escape Community Art, Assistant), Helen Watts (Schools Coordinator), Gail Francis (Steward and Books With Playbox Theatre and local author Helen Watts, Friends Coordinator), Jennie Dobson (Books with Friends), Rachel Key (Sponsors), supported by The Matthew Hodder Trust. Wigwam PR and Jo James (Author Care). Four schools will be exploring in depth the themes and ideas of the author’s books through art, Stratford Literary Festival is a registered charity. Charity Trustees: Archie Kane, drama and creative writing. Martin Kinoulty, David Fletcher and Annie Ashworth

Children’s Festival Guest Director: Philip Ardagh

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42 At A Glance Festival Map 43

Fri 11th-Sun 13th March From 5pm Residential Writing Course Thurs 28 April 9.30-11.30am Storytime and Activities with StoryVine All events, except where stated, Thurs 28 April 10-11.30am Writers’ Bootcamp Thur 14 April 7.30pm Stratford Lit Fest Quiz Thurs 28 April 2-4.15pm Masterclass - Writing a Family History take place at: Thurs 28 April 10am-3pm Masterclass - The Principles of Prose Sun 24 April From 10.30am Sonnet Marathon Stratford ArtsHouse Sun 24 April 3.30pm A Celebration of the Life of Beatrix Potter Thurs 28 April 10am-3pm AL Kennedy Sun 24 April 4.30pm Ted Hughes Thurs 28 April 3pm New Voices 11 Rother Street, Thurs 28 April 4.30pm Canals - The making of a Nation Sun 24 April 5.30pm Incomplete Shakespeare Stratford upon Avon CV37 6LU Thurs 28 April 5pm Festival Book Group Sun 24 April 6.15pm Paul Gambaccini Thurs 28 April 5.15pm Graham Harvey Sun 24 April 7.45pm John Torode Disabled access: please check with the Box Office Thurs 28 April 6.15pm Janet Ellis » for each event. Mon 25 April 9.30-11.30am Storytime and Activities Thurs 28 April 6.30pm Prof Steve Jones No Need for Geniuses Mon 25 April 10-11.30am Writers’ Bootcamp Thurs 28 April 8pm Gordon Corera » Most seats are unreserved. We will be offering reserved Mon 25 April 10am-3pm Masterclass - Self Publishing Thurs 28 April 8.30pm Henry Normal seating for some events in the Lodders Auditorium. Mon 25 April 3.45pm How to Crack Cryptic Crosswords Fri 29 April 9.30-11.30am Storytime and Activities with Evgenia Golubeva Please enquire on booking. Mon 25 April 3.45pm Queens of Crime Fri 29 April 10-11.30am Writers’ Bootcamp Mon 25 April 5pm Alice Roberts Children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult Fri 29 April 10am-3pm Masterclass - Taking a Line for a Walk: discovering » Mon 25 April 5.15pm Dean Burnett (over 18 years of age). We cannot accept responsibility for the power in poetry-writing Mon 25 April 8pm Anthony Seldon and Peter Snowdon Fri 29 April 3.15pm New Voices unaccompanied children. Children over 14 may attend alone but must be delivered and collected by a responsible adult. Tues 26 April 9.30-11.30am Storytime and Activities Fri 29 April 4.15pm For All Time For adults attending the Children’s Book Day on 1st May Tues 26 April 10-11.30am Writers’ Bootcamp Fri 29 April 4.30pm Julia Donaldson there will be refreshments available all day. Tues 26 April 10am-1pm Masterclass - The Art and Carpentry of Fiction Fri 29 April 6pm-7.10pm LITTLe MACHINe Tues 26 April 3.30pm Hunter Davies Fri 29 April 7.30pm The Intimate Universe Fri 29 April 8pm-10pm Salon » We reserve the right to alter the programme or Tues 26 April 4pm New Voices substitute performers if circumstances dictate. Tues 26 April 5.15pm Andrew Hurley Sat 30 April 10am-3pm Singing Project - Sing a Sonnet in a day Juliet Russell Go to www.stratfordartshouse.co.uk for the Tues 26 April 5.30pm Castaways Sat 30 April 10.30am Writer’s Bootcamp Presentation most up-to-date information. Tues 26 April 6.00pm Rod Norland Sat 30 April 10.30am Shakespeare’s Gardens Tues 26 April 7pm Oliver James Sat 30 April 12pm Julia Donaldson » Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. Tues 26 April 8.30pm Simon Sebag Montefiore Sat 30 April 1.45pm Bookshop Band Sat 30 April 2-4pm Blind Summit » All events are an hour long unless otherwise stated. Wed 27 April 9.30-11.30am Storytime and Activities Sat 30 April 2pm Charlotte George or Jane? Wed 27 April 10-11.30am Writers’ Bootcamp All details and prices are correct at time of going to press. Sat 30 April 3.15pm Mary Portas » Wed 27 April 10am-1pm Masterclass - Calligraphy Please check our website at www.stratlitfest.co.uk before Sat 30 April 4.30pm Stressed Unstressed Wed 27 April 3pm New Voices you travel. Sat 30 April 4.30pm James Holland Wed 27 April 4.30pm Michael Rosen Sat 30 April 5.30pm Howard Jacobson Wed 27 April 6pm Asquith’s Women » There will be a collection for charities we support Sat 30 April 7pm Austentatious Wed 27 April 6.15pm Anthony Seldon at some of our events. Sat 30 April 8.30pm Chris Packham Wed 27 April 7-9pm Masterclass - Anatomy of A Successful Sales Letter Wed 27 April 7.45pm John McCarthy Sun 1 May 10am-5pm Children’s Day

Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk Box Office:01789 207100 or online at stratfordartshouse.co.uk | stratlitfest.co.uk