Biggest ever Cheltenham Literature Festival in 2008
With its signature blend of award winning writers, world-renowned
thinkers and international star names 'The Times Cheltenham Literature
Festival 2008' is a hotbed of debate and discussion with a unique regency
style. In this year's literary line-up Man Booker Prize winners rub
shoulders with the finest classically trained actors, whilst top class
comedians appear alongside leading political figures.
We had our very first look at what may be in store at this year's
Literature Festival at the Cheltenham Litertaure Festival 2008
sponsorship launch on Tuesday.
Festival Director Sarah Smyth introduced a programme which will this
year explore the theme of family - how does the family shape who we
are, how we see the world, how we live, how we read and how we write?
She also hinted at some of this year's headlining acts who will be lead
by Guest Directors Kate Adie and Ian Rankin.
Just a few of the names to welcome in October include Sir Roger Moore, Antony Sher and Rick Stein.
All names are very much still to be confirmed - but it looks like it
will be the biggest festival yet. Full programme and booking will be
available in early August so keep checking here for the latest news.
Film director and actor Richard Attenborough, hilarious Harry Hill the brilliant Maureen Lipman will be at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival
Full list of day by day events this year at the Cheltenham Literture Festival 2008...
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 1
Friday 10 October 2008
including: Frank Skinner, Tony Robinson and Cllive James
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 2
Saturday 11 October 2008
including: Julie Walters, Roger Moore, Ray Mears, Bruce Parry, Terry Jones, Ken Russell, Kate Aidie and Charlie Higson
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 3
Sunday 12 October 2008
including: Richard Attenborough, Joanna Lumley, Ian Fleming, Russell T Davies,
Maureen Lipman, Alistair McGowan, Harry Hill, Tim Piggott-Smith, Sheila
Hancock, Carla Lane and Roger McGough
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 4
Monday 12 October 2008
including: Jenny Eclair, Rick Stein, Terry Waite and James Caan (Dragon's Den)
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 5
Tuesday 13 October 2008
including: Michael Parkinson, Raymond Blanc, Ken Livingtone and Ruth Rendall
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 6
Wednesday 14 October 2008
including: Esther Rantzen, Janet Street-Porter, John Prescott and Elaine Paige
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 7
Thursday 15 October 2008
including: Jonathan Dimbleby, Fay Weldon, Francis Bacon, Mike Atherton, Marcus Trescothick and Dan Cruickshank
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 8
Friday 16 October 2008
including: Gloria Hunniford, Sandi Toksvig, Monty Don, Martin Bell, Will Self and Robert Fisk
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 9
Saturday 17 October 2008
including: Alan Carr, Neil Oliver, Jilly Cooper, Martin Bell, Stuart Maconie, Michael Rosen, Sue Perkins and Gerald Scarf
2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 10
Saturday 17 October 2008
including: Tont Curtis, Dawn French, Ian Rankin, Alexei Sayle and Darcy Bussell
Survival expert Ray Mears, the amazing Julie Walters and adventurer Bruce Parry will sharing their experiences at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival
Looking back at 2007
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2007 enjoyed unprecedented
success with over 87,000 tickets sold for the ten day event. Over 400
writers flocked to Cheltenham to take part in the biggest and most
varied programme to date.
Everyday saw a host of literary stars take to the Cheltenham stage. The
fantastic Armando Iannucci programmed an impressive opening weekend
with surprise appearances from David Mitchell and Chris Morris offering
a unique festival experience. Whilst the Centaur at Cheltenham
Racecourse saw sell-out crowds enjoy Michael Palin, Ian Hislop and The
Times Debate, and Helen Mirren added some star-studded glamour. Yann
Martel, Ian McEwan and Robert Harris were just some of the literary
legends to be seen.
Artistic Director Sarah Smyth was thrilled with the Festival's success;
"2007 has been a hugely successful year, with audience figures up by
10,000 since last year, and one of the largest number of authors we've
ever welcomed to the Festival - greatly helped by our increased use of
one of Britain's largest literature venues seating over 2,000 people.
I'm especially delighted with the sheer range of events this year -
from the substantial growth of our children's festival Book It! to our
special Festival commissions, this year's Festival really did have
something for everyone over ten packed days."
To receive a copy of the Cheltenham Festival pf Literature 2008 brochure by post just email your name and address to boxoffice@cheltenham.gov.uk
View our festival brochure online and book events by visiting our whats
on page. Tickets can be booked online or over the phone by calling 0844
576 8970.
Tony Curtis, Darcy Bussell and Alexei Sayle will be at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival
For further information.
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