Outstanding sales for The Times 2009 Cheltenham Literature Festival

Tickets for the 2009 The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival are flying out of the box office as thousands of festival goers prepare for the biggest and most varied festival ever. Following just a fortnight of public booking a record-breaking 55,000 tickets have already been sold for The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2009.

The first main programme event to sell-out was the ever popular James Cracknell and Ben Fogle as they tell all about their race to the pole.  However, due to huge public demand we are delighted to announce a simultaneous screening of the event on site at the festival, which will mean festival-goers can enjoy the talk before meeting the stars in the post-event book signing. Tickets for this special screening are on sale now for just £8. We piloted the use of simultaneous screenings last year in response to the popularity of Dawn French's rare festival appearance - and are delighted to be able to provide this option for fans of Ben and James this year.

Whilst tickets are selling fast - there is still availability for most events. Events with Judi Dench, Michael Palin, Jack Dee, Mitchell & Webb and Stephen Fry are predicted to join the sell-out list soon - so festival goers are urged to book soon to avoid disappointment.

As ever, the festival balances popular culture with a platform to debate current affairs. Just a few of the impressive political figures to look out for at this year's festival include: Former Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Ahern as he is joined by 'king of spin' Alastair Campbell to discuss his critical role in the Good Friday Agreement, party leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg heads to Cheltenham to discuss his life and career and Vince Cable, Stephanie Flanders and John Micklethwait analyse the current credit crunch and consider how this will impact on the future of capitalism. For a guaranteed dose of lively discussion firm festival favourite The Times Debate returns to ask Is celebrity the curse of our age? Join PR guru Max Clifford, Today presenter Evan Davis, philosopher A C Grayling and The Times’ Caitlin Moran for a spirited and enjoyable debate chaired by The Times’ Editor James Harding.

Explore Gloucestershire
25 August 2009

Mark Carwardine & Stephen Fry

Alan Davies

Mitchell & Webb

• Also see : Cheltenham Festivals

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