2014 Essar Chester Literature Festival

Chester Town Hall & University of Chester

Your complete festival guide Over 40 events including

Sheila Hancock Ranulph Fiennes Kate Mosse Tristram Hunt Benjamin Zephaniah John Lydon Esther Freud Paddy Ashdown Charles Spencer Mark Thomas And many more!

www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk Produced by

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Welcome to the 2014 Essar Chester Literature Festival Welcome back to the Essar Chester Literature Festival!

We’re thrilled to present this year’s lineup, which includes some of the literary world’s biggest names – plus workshops, readings and even a poetry pub crawl.

Within these pages you’ll find events featuring the likes of Sheila Hancock, John Lydon, Kate Mosse, Michelle Magorian and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, as well as a strengthened link with the University of Chester in its 175th anniversary year. Thanks to our festival bookseller Waterstones, books will be available to purchase at every event.

Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

In 2014 the festival is bookended by two events commemorating the 100th birthday of celebrated poet Dylan Thomas. Come to Town Hall Square on the opening weekend and visit a replica of his writing shed, where you can create your own new word for the Dictionary of Dylan. And in a unique event put together for the festival finale, we will be hearing actors reading Thomas’ most loved works as well as discussing his far-reaching influence.

But as well as poetry both old and brand new, and a fistful of new novels, the festival also covers topics including pop music, theatre, science, maths, history, sport, art, comedy and the practicalities of writing (and even making) books. It’s a diversity that makes the festival so rewarding to put together and, we hope, to attend.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our headline sponsor, Essar Oil UK, for their continued support.

Enjoy the festival!

By phone 0845 241 7868

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The Festival Fringe

Festival Pass

Online Discounts

Once again we’re opening up the Essar Chester Literature Festival to include other events in and around the city.

We’re offering a limited number of the popular Festival Passes. Priced at just £72, offering a saving of up to £28, the Pass is a great way to make the most of the festival and offers entry to 8 of the top events. You can pick and choose which ones you’d like to attend so look out for events marked with the Festival Pass logo in this brochure.

Book your tickets in advance and save ££s via our fantastic book-it-now discounts!

Only available when you book online at www. chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

If you’re organising an event which takes place during the festival fortnight (10th October - 26th October), we want to know about it! It could be anything - a book club meeting, an open mic poetry night, a workshop, exhibition, talk or even book sale. Simply register your event online and we’ll feature it on the Literature Festival website at www.chesterliteraturefestival. co.uk/fringe

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FESTIVAL PASS

Festival passes are only available to Chester Performs Members. Membership entitles you to lots of other benefits such as free tickets and invitations to drinks receptions. To find out more, including how to become a member, visit www. chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/ membership

In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

1 Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Monday 13th October 2 Sheila Hancock

Thursday 16th October 3 John Lydon

Friday 10th October 4 Kate Mosse

Saturday 18th October 5 Benjamin Zephaniah

Monday 13th October

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At A GLANCE Friday 10 - Saturday 11 Oct 11am-4pm Dylan Thomas’ Writing Shed

Town Hall Square

FREE

Friday 10 October 7.30pm

John Lydon with Mark Ellen

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Saturday 11 October 7.30pm

Dan Walker

Sunday 12 October 7.30pm

Charles Spencer

Monday 13 October 1pm

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Town Hall

5.30pm

Uni at the Fest – Tim Grady

Town Hall

7.30 pm

Benjamin Zephaniah

Town Hall

FREE

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Tuesday 14 October 5.30pm

Uni at the Fest – Allan Owens

Town Hall

7.30pm

Ben Moor

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

FREE

Wednesday 15 October 5.30pm

John Bromley-Davenport

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Paddy Ashdown

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Esther Freud with Penny Feeny

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Thursday 16 October 5pm

David Gaffney – Flash Fiction Workshop

Chester Library

7.30pm

Mark Ellen

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Sheila Hancock with Laurie Taylor

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

£5

WORKSHOP

Friday 17 October 5.30pm

Michelle Magorian with Laurie Taylor

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

6.30pm

Geoffrey Boycott with David Frith

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

9pm

Police Dog Hogan

Town Hall

£15

£20 WORKSHOP

Saturday 18 October 2pm

Barry Brignell – Bookbinding Workshop

Town Hall

2pm

Tim Dowling

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

4.30pm

Kate Mosse

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Francesca Martinez

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

05 Sunday 19 October 2pm

James Naughtie

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Kwasi Kwarteng

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Monday 20 October 5.30pm

Christie Watson

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Nathan Filer

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Tuesday 21 October 5.30pm

Uni at the Fest – Wendy Dossett

Town Hall

7.30 pm

Alex Bellos

Town Hall

FREE

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Wednesday 22 October 5.30pm

Uni at the Fest – Christopher Hull

Town Hall

FREE

7.30 pm

WWI Poetry Readings

University

FREE

7.30pm

Mark Thomas

Town Hall

£15

Thursday 23 October 5.30pm

Linda Grant

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30 pm

Tristram Hunt

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30 pm

Mary & Bryan Talbot & Kate Charlesworth

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30 pm

Poetry Pub Crawl – Tim Clare & Mark Grist

The Ship Inn

£15

Friday 24 October 4pm

Dominic Berry – LGBT Poetry Workshop

Town Hall

£10

5.30pm

Uni at the Fest – Chantal Davies

Town Hall

FREE

7.30pm

Stand-up Poetry Night with Tim Clare, Molly Naylor, Mark Grist and Dominic Berry

Town Hall

£15 FESTIVAL PASS

WORKSHOP

Festival at the Uni Saturday 25 October 1pm

Alex Preston – How to Research Your Novel Workshop

University

£10

2pm

Uni Yarns

University

FREE

4pm

Suzannah Dunn

University

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7.30pm

Molly Naylor and Iain Ross – IDST

University

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

7pm

John Lahr & A Streetcar Named Desire screening University

£15 FESTIVAL PASS

WORKSHOP

Sunday 26 October 7.30pm

Not Going Gentle: A Celebration of Dylan Thomas

Town Hall

£12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

06 Dylan Thomas’ WRITING Shed Friday-Saturday 10th and 11th October, 11am-4pm Town Hall Square In Dylan Thomas’ centenary year, we bring a full-size recreation of his writing shed to Town Hall Square for two days only. Pop in, soak up the atmosphere and create your own new word, to be published in a Dictionary of Dylan in honour of the Welsh poet’s celebrated love of words.

FREE This event is supported by the Friends of Chester Literature Festival.

John Lydon with Mark Ellen ANGER IS AN ENERGY

Friday 10th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall One of music’s best-known and most outspoken icons, John Lydon, comes to Chester to discuss his new autobiography, Anger is an Energy, alongside music journalist and writer Mark Ellen. Expect more than a little colourful language! £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

07 Dan Walker

Football’s Thronkersaurus Saturday 11th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Dan Walker will be hot-footing it from presenting Football Focus, to come to Chester to talk about the extraordinary tales he has unearthed during his time as a presenter of football on the radio and television. Having mixed with everyone from Pelé to Joe Kinnear, Walker has a store of hilarious anecdotes that are sure to entertain and his coining of the word ‘Thronker’ (meaning a shot lashed into the net) will surely mean that it is just a matter of time before he’s cited in the OED. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Charles Spencer KILLERS OF THE KING

Sunday 12th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall In his new book Killers of the King, Charles Spencer examines one of history’s most famous events – the beheading of Charles I – by exploring what happened to his killers after the fact.

What happened to them after monarchy was restored to England?

Join us as the author explores a bloody tale of revenge, regicide and the lives of those who dared to kill the King. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

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Sir Ranulph Fiennes AGINCOURT

Monday 13th October, 1pm Chester Town Hall Renowned adventurer and decorated soldier Sir Ranulph Fiennes offers his unique perspective on the battle of Agincourt, revealing the truth behind the many myths and legends of one of English history’s most important battles.

This fascinating new study reveals that three of Ranulph’s own ancestors fought in the battle (one of them for the French!), and brings to life their stories and many more.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is a bona fide record breaker, becoming the first man to reach both poles by surface travel as well as the first to cross the Antarctic Continent unsupported. He has also raised more than £14million for charity, and in 2009 he became the oldest Briton in history to reach the summit of Everest. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

08 Tim Grady

The Battlefield Experienced: German Jews and The Great War Monday 13th October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall Dr Tim Grady is Senior Lecturer in History and Deputy Head of History and Archaeology at University of Chester. He joins us to mark the centenary of the First World War with an exploration of some of the period’s alternative histories, particularly the recent rediscovery of the 100,000 German Jews who fought at the front. What was their contribution to the ‘great seminal catastrophe’ of the twentieth century?

FREE

UNI at the fest

Benjamin Zephaniah Terror KiD

Monday 13th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Benjamin Zephaniah’s brand-new book Terror Kid is a powerful novel about justice, trust and idealism gone wrong that will make you look again at your definition of a terrorist.

A writer, poet and broadcaster, Benjamin was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008 and was voted the nation’s third favourite poet of all time in a recent BBC national poll.

Terror Kid follows the highly successful Refugee Boy, recently adapted for the stage

by Lemm Sissay. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS During his time at the festival, Benjamin will also be working with students at West Cheshire College in Ellesmere Port.

Allan Owens

Storytelling in Complex Situations Tuesday 14th October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall Professor Allan Owens, co-director of the Centre for Research into Education, Creativity and Arts Through Practice at the University of Chester, joins us to give a talk as part of the University at the Festival programme.

Allan uses stories as a means for us to interact, develop conversations and share understanding in and about complex situations. Here, he’ll be using some of the world’s best-known stories to explore situations ranging from the Israeli occupation of Palestine to post-2011 tsunami Japan.

FREE

UNI at the fest

Ben Moor Each of Us

Tuesday 14th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Writer, actor and longtime collaborator of Stewart Lee, Ben Moor brings his one-man show Each of Us to the Literature Festival fresh from a banner year of performing to sell out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatre and the compass points of London.

A comedy about love, friendship and timetravelling ghosts, it’s guaranteed to be funny, uplifting and – occasionally – catastrophic.

Don’t miss it. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

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Esther Freud with Penny Feeny MR MAC AND ME

Wednesday 15th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall

John BromleyDavenport

SPACE HAS NO FRONTIER Wednesday 15th October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall John Bromley-Davenport joins us at the festival to discuss his new book Space Has No Frontier: The Terrestrial Life and Times of Sir Bernard Lovell, an exploration of the founder of Jodrell Bank Observatory.

Bromley-Davenport began his career as an actor before deciding to read for the Bar. He has continued in this multidisciplinary fashion, combining a successful law career with writing, public speaking and performing for the likes of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. £12.50

Paddy Ashdown THE CRUEL VICTORY

Wednesday 15th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Early 1941. Three groups of plotters begin to plan. Their aim? To hasten the departure of the Germans and restore the pride of France.

Bestselling author Paddy Ashdown’s latest book covers one of the Second World War’s least-known and longestneglected stories; that of the D-Day Resistance uprising and subsequent massacre on the Vercors massif. The single largest action by the French Resistance during the war, it was both heroic and doomed from the start. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

FESTIVAL PASS In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

Born in London in 1963, Esther Freud trained as an actress before turning her hand to writing. Her first novel, Hideous Kinky, was nominated for the John Llewellyn Prize before being turned into a film starring Kate Winslet.

Esther will be joined today

by Liverpool-based author Penny Feeny, in a discussion about her latest novel Mr Mac and Me. Set in 1914, the book tells the story of publican’s son Thomas Maggs and his growing friendship with famed Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, after the latter and his wife arrive in Thomas’ home village on the Suffolk coast.

It is a tender and compelling story of an unlikely friendship, and a man who was one of the most brilliant artists of his generation. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

10 David Gaffney Flash Fiction Workshop

Thursday 16th October, 5pm Chester LIBRARY Can you tell a story in less than 500 words? David Gaffney thinks you can, and in this workshop you will learn how to reduce ideas to an ultra-short format – how to condense while keeping your story effective, powerful and easy to understand, how to manage character, description, point of view and dialogue, and how to reduce a thousand words to 150 without losing a thing.

Mark Ellen

Rockstars Stole My Life Thursday 16th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Music journalist Mark Ellen has worked on some of the biggest titles in the country; MOJO, NME, The Word and Smash Hits to name but a few. He is joining us in Chester to talk about about his new book Rockstars Stole My Life. Find out all the backstage gossip from Top of the Pops, which rock legend turned out to be less than nice and what is, in his opinion, the greatest record ever made. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Full of practical, fun exercises, this session will leave you wondering why anything has to be longer than a side of A4.

David Gaffney is the author of Sawn Off Tales (2006), Aromabingo (2007), Never Never (2008), The Half Life of Songs (2010) and Sawn Off Opera, a set of operas with composer Ailis Ni Riain. His new collection of short stories, More Sawn Off Tales is out now.

Cheshire West and Chester Libraries are running a Flash Fiction Competition for 2014.

For full details, go to cheshirewestandchester. gov.uk/libraries. £5 WORKSHOP

Sheila Hancock with Laurie Taylor Miss Carter’s War

Thursday 16th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Actress, author and all-round national treasure Sheila Hancock joins Radio 4’s Laurie Taylor for a discussion of her new book Miss Carter’s War only one week after its publication – giving you just enough time to read it in advance!

A powerful portrait of post-war Britain, the book is told through the eyes of English teacher – and one of the first women to receive a Cambridge degree – Marguerite Carter.

From the first Aldermaston march in the 1950s, through the swinging 60s and into the 80s – and the looming spectre of yet another war – Miss Carter’s War is a remarkable chronicle of our life and times. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS This event is supported by the Friends of Chester Literature Festival.

Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

11 GeoffREY Boycott with David Frith The Corridor of Certainty Friday 17th October, 6:30pm Chester Town Hall Geoffrey Boycott joins cricket writer David Frith in conversation about his first autobiographical book for 15 years.

Michelle Magorian with Laurie Taylor IMPOSSIBLE!

Friday 17th October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall Joan Littlewood revolutionised theatre in the 1950s and early 1960s and Michelle Magorian’s latest novel, Impossible!, follows 12 year old Josie who ends up at Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop in East London. In the year of Joan Littlewood’s centenary, Michelle will be discussing the novel in conversation with Radio 4’s Laurie Taylor who actually acted at the Theatre Workshop himself and who will therefore be able to shed a unique light on the novel and its times.

Trained actress Michelle Magorian wrote her first big hit, Goodnight Mister Tom, in a novel-writing class.

After the novel was published all over the world she switched her focus to writing, although many of her works are set in or around theatres. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

A frank, entertaining and always honest read, The Corridor of Certainty sees Geoffrey assess today’s cricketers, relive his battle with cancer and as well as his lifelong love for cricket, share his somewhat surprising other interests – such as feng shui!

Geoffrey Boycott was born in Yorkshire in 1940 and went on to become England’s (then) record runscorer in Test match cricket. He played 108 times for his country and scored more than 48,000 runs in first-class cricket between 1962 and 1986. Since retiring from the game, he has made a hugely successful career as a commentator. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

12 Barry Brignell – Bookbinding Workshop Saturday 18th October, 2pm Chester Town Hall If you’ve ever been curious about how books are made, this is the event for you.

In this three hour workshop, you will make your own hard-back journal, familiarising yourself with a whole range of techniques and materials, led by expert Barry Brignell.

Police Dog Hogan Friday 17th October, 9pm Chester Town Hall

Police Dog Hogan are a high-energy sevenpiece band combining fiddle, mandolin, banjo, drums and guitars with totally awesome four-part harmonies in a fantastic fusion of pop, country, folk and urban bluegrass.

Their literate and superbly-crafted songs veer from the wistful and poetic to flat-out, footstomping tales of doomed barbecues, utterly rubbish wine and…French mustard?

Guardian writer Tim Dowling ruminates often in his column about what it’s like to be in a band, and now you can hear for yourself what they actually sound like! The night before his solo show on Saturday 18th October, Tim (and his banjo) take to the stage as part of the band the Sunday Times has described as ‘wonderful’ and veteran DJ Johnnie Walker calls ‘just a really good, fun time’. A real highlight of this year’s festival – don’t miss it! £15

By the end, you will not only be clutching your very own hand-made book, you will also have the skills and confidence to repeat the process at home.

Barry, owner of Brignell Bookbinders in Cambridge, has been bookbinding since the 1970s when he began his career under the watchful eye of traditional mastercraftsmen.

NB All materials will be supplied. Places on the workshop limited to 15. £20 WORKSHOP

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Tim Dowling

How to be a husband Saturday 18th October, 2pm Chester Town Hall Guardian columnist Tim Dowling, married for some 20-odd years, uses his new book to ask what it takes to make a husband, with anecdotes from his own married life. Despite the title, How to Be a Husband is not actually a how-to guide at all (though you may pick up a few DIY tips in its pages). Rather, Dowling uses his trademark humour – familiar to anyone who has ever read his column – to explore why it is that two people consent to share their lives even if they occasionally want to injure each other. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

13 Francesca Martinez

What the **** is Normal?

Saturday 18th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall

Kate Mosse

The Taxidermist’s Daughter Saturday 18th October, 4:30pm Chester Town Hall After a hugely popular appearance here in Chester last autumn, Number 1 bestselling author Kate Mosse returns to discuss her new novel The Taxidermist’s Daughter. Based in Kate’s native West Sussex, on the flooded marshland to the west of Chichester, the novel is a Gothic psychological thriller set in 1912. Drawing on the landscape of her childhood and inspired by visits in the 1970s to Walter Potter’s Museum of Curious Taxidermy, the tale is focused on 17 year old Constantia Gifford, alone with her disgraced and bitter father in a decaying house. Is she all she seems? Discover the secrets that lie at the heart of Gifford House… £12.50

What the **** is Normal?!

Francesca Martinez’s new book is a very funny, very moving celebration and exploration of learning to be happy with who you are.

Francesca is in Chester to talk about her new book.

Neither an autobiography nor a self-help book, it’s a powerful and political callto-arms that rails against cultural perceptions of normality.

The Wobbly Revolution starts here! £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

FESTIVAL PASS

In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

James Naughtie

The Madness of July Sunday 19th October, 2pm Chester Town Hall James Naughtie is one of the best-known broadcasters in the UK. The face of the BBC Proms and a presenter of Today on Radio 4, he has been writing about politics in London and Washington for a number of years.

At this year’s festival James will be discussing his new novel, The Madness of July, a sophisticated Cold War thriller about loyalty, survival and family rivalry.

A mysterious death has exposed secret passions in government, bringing on a political crisis that opens up a world of danger and deceit.

This is a talk that’s sure to be just as riveting as the book itself! £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

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Kwasi Kwarteng WAR AND GOLD

Sunday 19th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Kwasi Kwarteng, author of the critically-acclaimed Ghosts of Empire, joins us at this year’s festival to discuss his new book War and Gold. An ambitious look at the financial world and its troubled history, the book traces a pattern of warwaging and financial debt that has shaped the central relationship of the world as we know it – that between war and gold. Starting from the ruin of the Spanish empire and moving through the French Revolution and both World Wars right up to the present day, Kwarteng traces the history of international finance in captivating style.

Born in London, Kwasi Kwarteng has a PhD in History from Cambridge University.

The Member of Parliament for Spelthorne in Surrey, he published his first book Ghosts of Empire in 2011. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Christie Watson

Nathan Filer

Monday 20th October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall

Monday 20th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall

Christie Watson, acclaimed author of Tiny Sunbirds Far Away, comes to Chester to talk about her latest novel Where Women are Kings, the story of two mothers’ love for the same child.

An insightful and intelligent look at some of today’s most thought-provoking issues, it is an emotive and powerful book that is sure to provide fascinating subject matter for Christie’s talk. Don’t miss it!

Nathan Filer joins us at the festival this year for a chat about his book The Shock of the Fall, a haunting and powerful story of death, guilt and mental illness. Winner of the 2013 Costa Book of the Year Award, it was described

by Jo Brand as ‘one of the best books ever written about mental illness’.

WHERE WOMEN ARE KINGS

Winner of the 2012 Costa First Novel Award, Christie Watson began writing while still working as a nurse. After completing an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, her debut Tiny Sunbirds Far Away was published in 2011. £12.50

THE SHOCK OF THE FALL

He is a man who likes to talk about books; he’s done so on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4. He’s also written articles and reviews for The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Mail and Metro and lectures in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

FESTIVAL PASS Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

15 Wendy Dossett

May the force be with you Tuesday 21st October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies Wendy Dossett explores the transformational potential of storytelling and story-hearing for people seeking recovery from addictions in Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous. Drawing on research conducted among people practising the ‘twelve steps’, the talk explores how some of the popular literary, cultural and spiritual sources that have inspired them are used in the building of sustainable, abstinent recovery from seemingly hopeless addiction.

FREE

UNI at the fest

Big Savings Online Alex Bellos

Alex Through the Looking Glass Tuesday 21st October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Maths comes to the Literature Festival as Alex Bellos, writer and broadcaster, reveals how life reflects numbers and numbers reflect life – plus how maths can be actually pretty funny – in what’s sure to be a witty and engaging hour at the Town Hall. Alex will demonstrate how numbers have come to be our friends and how they’ve changed the world. Those dry school maths lessons will be a distant memory!

Alex Bellos studied Mathematics and Philosophy at Oxford University. Described

by The Telegraph as ‘a mathematical wonder that will have you hooked on numbers’, his debut book Alex’s Adventures in Numberland spent four months in The Sunday Times’ bestseller list. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

Christopher Hull Our Graham Greene in Havana

Wednesday 22nd October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall The novelist Graham Greene’s deportation from Puerto Rico to Cuba by US immigration authorities in 1954 led him to write his intelligence services satire Our Man in Havana.

This talk, by Senior Lecturer in Spanish Christopher Hull, explains how the British author’s iconic 1958 novel presaged the most dangerous episode in the Cold War four years later – the Cuban Missile Crisis.

FREE

UNI at the fest

16 WWI Poetry Readings Wednesday 22nd October, 7:30pm University of Chester We celebrate the centenary year of WWI with an evening of poetry readings at the University of Chester. Join us as Members of staff from the Faculty of Humanities will be read their favourite poetry of the Great War. As well as the familiar poems of the period, expect some less-often heard, or read, gems.

FREE

Linda Grant

Upstairs at the Party Thursday 23rd October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall A powerful novel about those moments that shape a life, Linda Grant’s Upstairs at the Party depicts a Seventies university campus that is thrown for a loop when a glamorous, androgynous couple arrive out of nowhere.

Hidden histories begin to unfold but it is not until four decades later, when Adele examines what happened on her own twentieth birthday, that the truth about the mysterious Evie and Stevie reveals itself…

Liverpool-born author Linda Grant made a flying start to her writing career with the David Higham Prize-nominated The Cast Iron Shore. Since then she has written several acclaimed novels and become one of a select few writers to win the Orange Prize as well as being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Mark Thomas Cuckooed

Wednesday 22nd October, 7:30pm Chester TOWN HALL A comedy of betrayal. Following his award winning show Bravo Figaro, Mark Thomas tells his true story of how Britain biggest arms manufacturer (BAE Systems) came to spy on a comedian. A tale of hubris, planes, demos and undercover deceit told by an award winning performer. £15 Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

17 Poetry Pub Crawl with Tim Clare and Mark Grist Thursday 23rd October, 7:30pm The Ship inn, Handbridge

Mary and Bryan Talbot and Kate Charlesworth Sally Heathcote: Suffragette

Thursday 23rd October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall Bryan and Mary Talbot’s first collaboration, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes, won the Costa biography prize. Their second, written alongside acclaimed illustrator Kate Charlesworth, explores what life was like on the inside of the suffragette movement as protagonist Sally Heathcote joins the Pankhurst household as a seamstress.

A potent blend of brutality, despair, hope and passion, Sally Heathcote: Suffragette is one of the most talked-about graphic novels of recent years.

Join us at Chester Town Hall for an evening with all three of the creative minds behind this astonishing project. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Big Savings Online

Tristram Hunt

Ten Cities That made an empire Thursday 23rd October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall The glory days of the British Empire are revisited through ten of its most defining cities in this engaging informative exploration of how these ten cities, scattered across the world, collectively shaped the colonial experience and transformed the culture, economy and identity of Britain forever.

As well as being MP for Stokeon-Trent Central and Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt is also one of Britain’s best-known historians.

He has written numerous series for television, as well as contributing to The Times, Guardian and Observer.

His previous books include The English Civil War at First Hand, Building Jerusalem, and The FrockCoated Communist: The Revolutionary Life of Friedrich Engels. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

Join stand-up poets – and stand-up guys – Tim Clare and Mark Grist on a tour of some of Chester’s cosiest pubs.

Sit back and enjoy a drink as two of the most respected men in the world of poetry entertain you with marvellous words and maybe even a little improvisation. It’s sure to be a great night – be there or miss out! Includes a free drink! £15

18 Chantal Davies

Cats, Crooks and Myths about the Law Friday 24th October, 5:30pm Chester Town Hall From the sublime to the ridiculous, from Question Time to Coronation Street, we are constantly exposed to urban myths about legal processes. Senior Lecturer in Law Chantal Davies will explore some of the more obscure mythology, encouraging the audience to question common assumptions about the law.

She will challenge those misconceptions that the media and government at times actively promote, particularly in relation to human rights legislation in the UK FREE

UNI at the fest

Dominic Berry – LGBT Poetry Workshop Friday 24th October, 4pm Chester Town Hall Poet Dominic Berry leads a creative writing workshop looking at the situation of (though not exclusively aimed at) LGBT communities; locally, nationally and across different parts of the world.

The workshop will look at personal identity, what is our definition of ‘pride’, and what we think needs to be heard from today’s LGBT voices.

Open to people of any sexuality, gender and writing experience, the workshop will be a deep, thoughtful and fun get together for creative minds producing new work. £10

Stand-up Poetry Night!

Tim Clare, Molly Naylor, Mark Grist and DomINIC Berry Friday 24th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall What’s better than stand-up poetry? Nothing!

Join us for an evening in the hands of four of the country’s most experienced stand-up poets for fun and raucous action.

Tim Clare helped to create the Poetry Takeaway and performs at Aisle16’s Homework, a monthly literary cabaret night in London. The night after leading this year’s Poetry Pub Crawl, he and fellow Pub Crawler Mark Grist return to show off their best work alongside Molly Naylor and Dominic Berry.

Mark left teaching to become a full time poet after a YouTube video of him verbally pulverising a young rapper called Blizzard in a nightclub went viral – it’s now been seen 4 million times.

Molly Naylor is a multi-talented performer, playwright, radio presenter and published poet, with critically acclaimed spoken word shows such as Whenever I get blown up I think of you and My Robot Heart under her belt.

Dominic Berry (almost definitely) Manchester’s best gay, vegan, performance poet has won New York’s infamous Nuyorican Poetry Cafe slam and UK’s Superheroes of Slam. £15 FESTIVAL PASS

WORKSHOP Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

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THE Festival at the Uni

Saturday 25th October For a full day the festival decamps to the University of Chester

Alex Preston – How To Research Your Novel: Workshop Saturday 25th October, 1pm University of Chester Alex Preston runs a Guardian Masterclass on how to research historical fiction and he is here in Chester to share his tips and knowledge on that subject. If you want to learn how to use period detail (be it from 10 years ago or 500 years ago) with elegance and subtlety and if want to know how to avoid online research pitfalls, then this is for you.

Born in 1979, Alex is an award-winning author and journalist who appears regularly on BBC television and radio.

He writes for GQ, Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country Magazine as well as for the Observer’s New Review. Alongside his Guardian masterclasses, he teaches Creative Writing at the University of Kent. £10 WORKSHOP

Uni Yarns Saturday 25th October, 2pm University of Chester This year the University of Chester celebrates its 175th anniversary; join us as we mark this momentous occasion with an afternoon of memories, stories and pictures – and maybe even share a few of yours too.

FREE In person from Chester Visitor Information Centre

Suzannah Dunn THE MAY BRIDE

Saturday 25th October, 4pm University of Chester Delve back into the world of Tudor England as author Suzannah Dunn reveals the secrets of her new book The May Bride.

Jane Seymour is a shy, dutiful fifteen-year-old when her eldest brother, Edward, brings his bride home to Wolf Hall – but what will happen when Edward turns on his wife and Jane is sent away? The consequences may change Jane forever. In a world where power is held entirely by men, The May Bride explores how women can still hold true to themselves.

Bursting onto the scene in 1990 with Darker Days Than Usual, Suzannah Dunn has since penned a further five contemporary novels and four bestselling historical novels – one of which, The Confession of Katherine Howard, was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick in 2011. She has also written a collection of short stories. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

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Mad Pilgrimage of the flesh & A Streetcar Named Desire screening Saturday 25th October, 7pm University of Chester

Molly Naylor and Iain Ross IDST

Saturday 25th October, 7.30pm University of Chester Last year, Molly Naylor saw an old school friend in a sauna. Rather than talk to her, she chose to hide – in a small, sweltering hot shed. It was then that she realised she may have a slightly odd relationship with her teenage self. It was this experience that led to the creation of her new show If Destroyed Still True.

Part autobiography, part fiction, IDST is a tale of youth, friendship and growing up – with loud guitars. Molly collaborates with musician Iain Ross in this fresh, fun and exciting piece that will have you laughing, crying and maybe even cringing. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Big Savings Online

We are delighted to welcome John Lahr, the foremost expert on Tennessee Williams, to Chester to talk about the playwright who revolutionised American theatre. This is an event of two halves as Lahr’s fascinating insights on the subject will be followed by a screening of the Oscar-winning film A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Marlon Brando and based on Williams’ play.

For 21 years John Lahr was drama critic at The New Yorker and has written many acclaimed biographies, including that of his father (Bert Lahr, who played the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz) and Joe Orton (Prick Up Your Ears, which was made into the film of the same name). His new biography of Tennessee Williams, Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh, was described by Helen Mirren as ‘a masterpiece about a genius’. £15 FESTIVAL PASS

Not Going Gentle: A Celebration of Dylan Thomas

With Glyn Maxwell, Owain Gwynn, Gwyn Vaughan Jones, Michelle McTernan and Emma Lucia Sunday 26th October, 7:30pm Chester Town Hall

Having kicked off the festival with Dylan Thomas’ writing shed arriving in Chester, we are rounding things off with a magical evening devoted to the Welsh poet on the very eve of his 100th birthday. Expect wonderful tales and consummate readings in this one-off event produced especially for the festival finale.

Poet Glyn Maxwell has a unique perspective on the subject: his mother was in the original stage show of Under Milk Wood in 1956 and his radio play City of Tomorrow, inspired by Under Milk Wood, will be broadcast on Radio 4 the day after this event to celebrate Dylan Thomas’ actual centenary.

With actors Owain Gwynn, Gwyn Vaughan Jones and Michelle McTernan reading from Thomas’ most popular works including Under Milk Wood, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog and Do Not Go Gentle along with exclusive extracts from Glyn’s yet to be broadcast play, this will be a night to remember.

Directed by Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s Emma Lucia, this is a full length event with an interval. £12.50 FESTIVAL PASS

Book now at www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

By phone 0845 241 7868

“ We are proud to have played an integral role in supporting the Essar Chester Literature Festival over the past 3 years.

The Festival is quickly growing in scale, quality and reputation, but it’s the commitment to bringing some of the most prominent literary talents to audiences across Cheshire which defines its value to the North West. As one of the region’s largest employers, it is especially important for us to support an event that brings unique experiences to our neighbouring communities.”

Ian Cotton Head of Communications Essar Oil UK

FRIENDS OF CHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL

The Friends are an independent group who are committed supporters of the festival - this year we are sponsoring the Dylan Thomas Writing Shed and Sheila Hancock’s talk.

We organise a full and varied programme of social events with a literary theme throughout the year - so far in 2014 we have been to the Lowry Theatre, the new Birmingham Library and the Hay Festival, as well as hosting a writing workshop and an evening of poetry and music. Still to come are a trip to the Royal Exchange Theatre and our annual coffee morning.

We also support literary events for local children, most recently organising a World Book Night giveaway and taking a group of Young Carers to see The Secret Garden at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

It only costs £12 a year to join us!

Send your cheque made payable to the Friends of Chester Literature Festival to Elizabeth Lambrakis, 14 Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1PA together with an SAE, or email elam@talktalk.net for further details.

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INFORMATION

Festival Venues The main hub for the festival is Chester’s iconic Town Hall and events take place in the building’s historical Assembly Rooms, court and chamber. Some festival events, particularly on Saturday 25th October, take place at the University of Chester while Fringe events are held at various venues across the city.

Seating How to Book There are three simple ways to book your tickets: Online: www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk There are no hidden fees or charges when booking online and this is the only way to access our huge ‘book-it-now’ discounts.

By phone: 0845 241 7868 A 10% booking fee applies In person: Chester Visitor Information Centre, Town Hall Square Open 9am – 5pm Monday – Saturday

Savings!

There are lots of savings to be made by booking online via our unique book-it-now discounts. Remember, these discounts are time limited so be quick and book in advance to get the best price for your tickets.

You can also save ££s by purchasing a Festival Pass. These are priced at £72 and offer entry to 8 of the festival’s main events. Festival passes are only available for Chester Performs Members. To find out more, including how to become a member, visit www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/ membership

Concessions Under 16s and Students: £4 off Under 12s Free (when accompanied by a full price paying adult)

All seating is unreserved and there are no restricted views. This means that your tickets number does not reference a seat number but there will be plenty of helpful stewards to get you seated.

Access If you have any access requirements, do let us know in advance so we can accommodate you. You can contact the box office on 0845 241 7868.

Festival Bookseller We’ve partnered up with Waterstones and the booksellers will be at each event.

More to Explore…

Once again we’re opening up the Essar Chester Literature Festival to include other events in and around the city forming a Festival Fringe.

To find out more, visit chesterliteraturefestival. co.uk/fringe.

Find out more Essar Chester Literature Festival is produced

by Chester Performs. We produce a yearround programme of events and festivals such as Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, MBNA Chester Music Festival, WayWord and Moonlight Flicks.

Find out more online at www.chesterperforms.co.uk

@chesterperforms #ChesterLitFest

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Paul Lavin Festivals Manager

Festival Sponsor:

Amy Bishop Marketing Manager Nancy Davies PR Manager Rachael Jones Digital Copywriter Paul Brown Production Manager

Supporters and funders:

Nicola Haigh Production Assistant Produced, staged and Managed by

Chester Performs 55-57 Watergate Row South Chester, CH1 2LE 01244 409113 info@chesterperforms.com www.chesterperforms.com Charity no, 1121007 Company no. 0554125 For Chester Performs: Andrew Bentley Chief Executive Officer Amber Knipe Head of Operations Julie Platt Development Manager

Board of Trustees: Geoff Clifton, Bill Hughes, Iain Campbell, Sue Leech, Matt Baker, Cllr Hilarie McNae, Claire Barlow, Professor Neil Grant, Peter Mearns, Professor Allan Owens.

Special Thanks to: Ian Cotton at Essar Oil UK, Waterstones Chester, Emma Rees and the University of Chester, Debbie Owens and the team from Chester Library, Members of Chester Performs, The Friends of Chester Literature Festival, Trevor Caldecott and the Festival Book Club, Dave Stroh and the team at Chester Town Hall, Spiker and all the festival stewards.

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Partners:

Festival Bookseller:

For priority booking, festival passes and exclusive offers… join the Chester Performs membership scheme today!

Alongside the Essar Chester Literature Festival, Chester Performs produce a year-round programme of high quality events and festivals including the critically acclaimed Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, MBNA Chester Music Festival and popular open air cinema season Moonlight Flicks.

Join us as a member and you’ll be the first we talk to about discounts, special events and new ideas. Along with the usual membership benefits, you’ll also find that we may make spare tickets available at special prices and invite you to exclusive events and social gatherings.

Membership is also the only way to access priority booking and our massive season ticket discounts such as our Literature Festival Pass.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.chesterperforms.com/membership