Tony Benn tops bill at York Literature Festival (From York Press)
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Tony Benn tops bill at York Literature Festival
9:08am Thursday 12th January 2012 in Books
Tony Benn
YORK Literature Festival makes a return this year – with political legend Tony Benn topping the bill.
Mr Benn and folk singer Roy Bailey will perform their show The Writing On The Wall: a journey through 200 years of left-wing politics that is a mix of songs, anecdotes, wit, wisdom and humour.
Getting the pair was a coup, said festival committee chairman Miles Salter.
“We’re delighted to welcome them.
“I saw the show a couple of years ago in Beverley, and it was very moving, funny and witty,” he said.
“The festival has always had a social conscience and Mr Benn’s record as a man who uses words skilfully, as well as his work as a peace campaigner, chimes perfectly.”
The Literature Festival didn’t happen last year. But this year’s fifth festival – which runs from Thursday March 29 to Sunday April 1 – promises to make up for that.
There are fewer events than in previous years, over fewer days – but the emphasis is on quality, Mr Cain said. Poet, broadcaster and raconteur Ian McMillan will appear at City Screen with his son Andrew; Matt Haig, the York-based author of bestselling novel The Radleys, about a family of vegetarian vampires, will talk about his new children’s book To Be A Cat; and romantic novelist Donna Hay will lead a session on writing women’s fiction.
Other events include guided tours of literary York; a discussion of the life of Charles Dickens to mark his bicentenary; and an event with award-wining poet and writer Jack Mapanje, who has lived in York since being freed from a Malawi prison where he was a prisoner of conscience.
The first York Literary Festival was held in 2007, and for three years it was funded by the city council.
That funding was withdrawn in summer 2009, however: and since then the festival has been run by volunteers.
Mr Salter, a writer, storyteller and musician, said there was a real opportunity for a local sponsor interested in the cultural life of York to get involved.
“We’re looking for generous sponsors who want to support the arts in York and who can help the festival go from strength to strength,” he said.
• Tickets for Tony Benn and Roy Bailey in The Writing On The Wall are available from the Theatre Royal Box Office, priced £18.50, on 01904 623568. For more information about the festival, visit www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
• If you are interested in sponsoring the festival, contact Miles Salter at milesinyork@hotmail.com
Literary treats
HERE’S another piece of good news for York, this time on the cultural front.
York Literature Festival returns this spring, after an absence of a year. And headlining is none other than legendary politician Tony Benn, who will be performing his show The Writing On The Wall, with folk singer Roy Bailey.
There is plenty more going on over the four days of the festival, however – including a discussion of the life of Charles Dickens; and an event with award-winning poet and writer Jack Mapanje.
The festival adds enormously to the cultural life of York. It is great to see it back.
Amoco Caditz says...
11:44am Thu 12 Jan 12