The Independent Bath Literature Festival Pre-Christmas Release

Christmas is coming Twelve events now on early release Book the perfect present FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 6 MARCH 2016 Bath Box Office 01225 463362

bathfestivals.org.uk

Welcome to The Independent Bath Literature Festival 2016: we’re 21!

It’s the Literature Festival’s twenty first birthday and we’re celebrating with the theme Forever Young. Debut novels, new writers and fresh talent will be at the top of the agenda in 2016.

But we’ll also be doffing our party hats to the names who remind us that age is an attitude not a number. With its reputation as one of the greatest spas in the world, Bath has always been a place where you immerse yourself and emerge renewed and rejuvenated.

Think of next year’s festival as a sort of intellectual face lift.

To mark this special anniversary, 12 events will go on sale on December 1st, ahead of the full programme. Secure a front row seat at an unmissable audience with much-loved broadcaster Joan Bakewell. Explore the links between fiction and history with awardwinning Girl with a Pearl Earring author Tracey Chevalier. Enjoy a hilarious take on science with comedian and actor Ben Miller.

Get the inside track on 21st century politics from Vince Cable. See an improvised Jane Austen novel created before your eyes at the sell-out Edinburgh Fringe show Austentatious.

Viv Groskop Artistic Director

How to Book In person at

Bath Box Office

By telephone on

01225 463362

Online at

bathfestivals.org.uk

Full Programme on Sale From January Our full programme, on sale from January, will feature the best contemporary fiction from Britain and abroad, alongside intelligent debate, inspirational master classes, history, performance and politics, plus a speciallycommissioned series of our ever-popular Bliss Lectures and a gala night marking the much-anticipated 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Designed to inspire,delight and excite, this year’s Festival isn’t 100% guaranteed to make you feel twenty one.

But we’ll give it a damn good go.

BATH BOX OFFICE - 01225 463362

Book now for Alice Roberts

Vince Cable

Joan Bakewell

The Twenty One Best Ever Coming-Of-Age Novels

SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY

Patrick Barkham WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH

Ben Miller FRIDAY 4 MARCH

Dom Joly

SATURDAY 5 MARCH

Cameron at No. 10 SUNDAY 6 MARCH

Austentatious

SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY

Tracy Chevalier FRIDAY 4 MARCH

John Suchet

SATURDAY 5 MARCH

Harry Leslie Smith SUNDAY 6 MARCH

SUNDAY 6 MARCH

Full 10 day programme on sale from 5 January (members priority booking) and 18 January (general booking).

Alice Roberts – The Celts Saturday 27 February / 1 —2pm Guildhall / £9 (£8) The presenter of BBC2’s The Incredible Human Journey and BAFTA-winning Coast scientist Alice Roberts went in search of the Celts, an ancient people who reigned Europe for hundreds of years but whose achievements have now largely been forgotten. Accompanying a major BBC series, this narrative history explores their remarkable culture and rise to power.

Sponsored by:

Tracy Chevalier Friday 4 March / 6.15 —7.15pm Guildhall / £9 (£8) From the author of Girl with a Pearl Earring comes a powerful new novel. At the Edge of the Orchard introduces us to the Goodenough family, settlers in the 19th century Ohio swamps. At her imaginative best, Tracy Chevalier brings to life a story of family struggle, the might of nature and personal determination. Sponsored by our Creative Partner:

Vince Cable Saturday 27 February / 4.30 —5.30pm Guildhall / £9 (£8) Vince Cable joins FT columnist Stefan Stern to discuss his new book After the Storm.

His topic of choice? The global economy of the past five years - and Britain’s place in it - from his unique vantage point as a senior member of the coalition. ‘Lucid, intelligent and damning’ -- The Guardian. ‘The man who gives politics a good name’ -- Rory Bremner.

Patrick Barkham – Coastlines Wednesday 2 March / 1 —2pm Guildhall / £8 (£7) Told through a series of walks by the sea, nature columnist and author Patrick Barkham ‘Guardian columnist and acclaimed nature writer’ explores Britain’s beaches, coasts and cliffs in his latest book Coastlines: The Story of Our Shore. From smuggler’s coves to Brownsea Island, witness the profound story of our island nation and how we are shaped by our shores.

Joan Bakewell Sunday 28 February / 11.15am —12.15pm Guildhall / £9 (£8) The epitome of our 21st Festival theme “Forever Young”, the acclaimed broadcaster joins us to discuss her moving and insightful new book Stop the Clocks: Thoughts on What I Leave Behind, which takes in everything that’s important in life from politics, literature and love to how to make a bed properly (hospital corners, please). Unmissable.

Sponsored by:

John Suchet on the Strauss Dynasty Saturday 5 March / 4.30-5.30pm Nexus Methodist Church / £8 (£7) As the hugely popular presenter of Classic FM’s flagship morning programme, John Suchet is much admired for his knowledge of classical music. In his latest book, The Last Waltz, he explores the fascinating history of the Strauss family, the musical dynasty that would popularise the waltz and whose fate was deeply intertwined with the turbulent history of 19th century Austria.

The Twenty One Best Ever Coming-Of-Age Novels Sunday 28 February / 1—2pm Guildhall / £8 (£7) To celebrate the Festival’s 21st birthday, our expert panel led by Artistic Director Viv Groskop and Guardian culture writer Mark Lawson debates the ultimate novels depicting the transition to adulthood.

Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women... Can anything knock JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye off the top spot?

Sponsored by our Creative Partner:

Ben Miller – The Aliens Are Coming!

Friday 4 March / 8-9pm / Guildhall £9 (£8) Apart from being one half of comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, Ben Miller is also a true geek. Having abandoned a PhD in physics for comedy, he has maintained a passionate interest in science and now joins us to talk about his latest book, The Aliens Are Coming!

- a hugely entertaining and accessible guide to the search for extra-terrestrial life forms.

Dom Joly

Harry Leslie Smith

Saturday 5 March / 8-9pm Guildhall / £9 (£8)

Sunday 6 March / 1-2pm Guildhall / £9 (£8)

Comedian and writer Dom Joly talks about his new autobiography, Here Comes the Clown. When his hidden camera show Trigger Happy TV aired for the first time in 2000 and became a global comedy success, everything changed. Here he shares weird and wonderful snippets from his life in the limelight.

RAF veteran and accidental political campaigner Harry Leslie Smith shot to prominence aged 91 when his Facebook post about Remembrance Day was shared 80,000 times. He’s now a Guardian columnist and author of Harry’s Last Stand. His message?

We must protect the NHS and the welfare state. ‘Everyone should read this and be humbled.’ -- Annie Lennox

Cameron at No. 10 - The Inside Story 2010-2015

Austentatious

Sunday 6 March / 2.45-3.45pm Guildhall / £8 (£7) On 11 May 2010, David Cameron became the head of the first Coalition government in 65 years. Anthony Seldon, former head of Wellington College, and acclaimed journalist Peter Snowdon gained unprecedented access to the inner circle, from former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to the Prime Minister himself, analysing the most dramatic moments of this turbulent period in British politics.

Sunday 6 March / 4.30-5.30pm Guildhall £12 (£10) Returning by popular demand, Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Austentatious: An Improvised Novel brings their wonderful comedy take on Jane Austen’s work. Based on audience suggestions (from “Mansfield Shark” to “Strictly Come Darcy”), the show is never the same twice. But always hilarious.

‘Joyously performed. Five stars’ -- The Times.

‘Hugely talented’ -- Time Out.

Early Release Booking Dates - Members: 27 November 2015 - General Booking: 1 December 2015

How to Book In person at

Full 2016 Festival Programme -M embers Priority Booking: From 5 January 2016 - General Booking: 18 January 2016

Bath Box Office

By telephone on

01225 463362

Online at

bathfestivals.org.uk

Booking Information

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Bath Box Office Bath Visitor Information Centre Abbey Chambers Abbey Churchyard Bath, BA1 1LY

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