Beverley Literature Festival 2015 : Line-up Announced

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 1 September for Beverley Literature Festival 2015, which will be back in October for the 13th year running, with another packed programme showcasing the very best in contemporary writing.

This year’s programme has over 40 events taking place over ten days, with a line-up including one of Britain’s best-loved actors, Brian Blessed, award-winning and best-selling authors Joanne Harris, Marina Lewyka and Sophie Hannah, international bestseller Lisa Jewell, top historians David Starkey and Joann Fletcher and some of the best names in Roman Fiction. The festival’s new home – the East Riding Theatre – is ideally placed to host many of these events, alongside the iconic Beverley Minster.

Dorcas Taylor, Director of the Festival, and director of Wordquake, which organises Beverley Literature Festival, said:

“This is the most exciting programme I’ve worked on and I’m delighted to be bringing such a stellar list of writers and performers to Beverley. It’s a very exciting time for the town!”

This year’s festival has been funded by Arts Council England and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and the children’s programme is supported by the Beverley Building Society.

Alongside authors, historians, broadcasters, journalists, poets and actors, Amy Davis will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s much-loved Emma with an event that looks at the way this most quirky of Austen’s heroines has been portrayed in film, in partnership with Beverley Film Society and the University of Hull.

For those who wish to develop their own writing skills, there are lots of opportunities to learn from some of the top names in contemporary literature. A two-day creative writing masterclass with Mavis Cheek and Colette Bryce is one of the many highlights. Here, participants will learn how to develop their writing style in poetry and prose through a mixture of seminars and on-on-one tutoring. There will also be workshops on adaptation with Chris Monks, artistic director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, and award-winning author, Ross Raisin, will be running workshops on process and dialogue. With support from Hull University, there is an opportunity to try your hand at Flash Fiction with a leading exponent in this field – Calum Kerr.

But Beverley Literature Festival isn’t just for adults.

Dorcas Taylor added:

“We also have another fantastic line-up for kids this year, transforming Beverley Library and Treasure House into a riot of activity, magic and song. We have some great performers and writers coming to the festival yet again, and children of all ages can enjoy creative writing, storytelling, shows and workshops.”

Councillor Richard Burton, portfolio holder for civic wellbeing and culture, added: “Welcome back to the Beverley Literature Festival! This is a fantastic line-up, and I am delighted that the council has been able to support it once again this year. I would of course also like to thank Arts Council England and the Beverley Building Society for their invaluable support. I hope that many people will once again flock to these superb events in Beverley, and come and join in the Literature Festival.”

Sue Kirkman, director of East Riding Theatre Ltd, added : “You can always expect the best in live literature from Beverley Literature Festival and this year is no exception. Taking up residence at its new home – the East Riding Theatre – welcome to a packed ten-day programme that’s full of surprises. This year the festival features some of the biggest names in the literary world, public figures, leading historians, comedians and one of the UK’s best-loved actors of stage and screen. Plus workshops, children’s events, films… It’s our best programme yet!”

Beverley Literature Festival launches on Thursday 1 October with author Joanne Harris talking about her latest book, The Gospel of Loki. Known to millions for Chocolat, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, Joanne Harris has written a powerful fantasy novel. Find out why she chose Loki, the seductive trickster god with a reputation for deception, as the main character in her first epic fantasy.

For full details of the programme and how to book, visit www.bevlit.org or call the box office on 01482 392699. Tickets for events can be bought online, over the phone or in person at the East Riding Theatre and Beverley Library. Follow the team on twitter @bevlitfest or find them on Facebook.