Visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon will be on ‘celeb alert’ this October half-term as the likes of broadcaster Graham Norton, Fawlty Towers’ John Cleese, and Blackadder’s Sir Tony Robinson are among an influx of stars paying a special visit.
The trio are among a high-profile line-up at the Stratford Literary Festival, which is gearing up for its largest ever attendance between 30th October and 2nd November in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The autumn festival will feature a programme of over 70 events across four days for the first time – with other names attending including Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page; Gogglebox’s Gyles Brandreth; former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon; ex-football manager Martin O’Neill; Baroness Sue Campbell; author Sir Phillip Pullman, and BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet.
They are just some of the broadcasters, bestselling authors, thought leaders, leading experts, comedians, and historians attending the festival to discuss their new work and share stories from their careers.
There are also ten children’s events to choose from across the four days. Author Maz Evans brings the Bard to life with a new adventurous tale, there’s crafting and free Halloween fun, a comic workshop with Phoenix Comic star Thiago Moraes, and gamers can also learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons.
The festival takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Darren Tosh, Operations and Marketing Director at Warwickshire’s tourism board Shakespeare’s England, is encouraging families, friends and couples to make the most of the festival’s presence in the town, while exploring the wider region.
He said: “It’s not every day that a Warwickshire town plays host to such a variety of well-known faces, and alongside the festival itself, there is the fun option to explore Stratford while keeping an eye out for any famous faces who may be exploring the town whilst having some down time.
“Activities worth having on your radar are a stroll along the River Avon; or a pint at the Dirty Duck where many actors are rumoured to go – and who knows, you may run into Basil Fawlty, Baldrick, or Stacey Shipman!
“If you have children with you, it’s worth checking out the RSC’s programme of half-term activities, which include workshops on 31st October on the tips and tricks behind gruesome special effects.
“Stratford is also a great overnight base from which to explore other parts of our marvellous county during the half-term and Halloween – whether that’s braving Warwick Castle, practising owl handling at Stoneleigh Abbey, or exploring the vile vegetable trail at Charlecote Park.”
“We are very excited about the upcoming festival,” says Festival Director Annie Ashworth. “Many events have sold out already with others near to selling out so don’t leave it too late to explore the line-up. Stratford has so much to offer visitors – where else can you experience internationally acclaimed theatre and hear internationally acclaimed writers, plus explore the houses of the most famous writer on earth all in one day?”
For more information about the full line-up of events at the Stratford Literary Festival, and to book tickets, visit stratlitfest.co.uk
