Cheltenham Literature Festival

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2010 will be arriving in town once again for a world renowned ten-day celebration of writing, authors and reading.

Some of the book world’s biggest names will be at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2010, when the town once again hosts more than 400 events during the ten-day literary celebration.

Started by friends in 1949, the world’s very first literature festival is now home to the greatest celebration of writing in the world, with tens of thousands of book lovers flocking to Gloucestershire annually. And this year is no exception.

From Friday 8 to Sunday 17 October 2010, Cheltenham Literature Festival will play host to topical talks, interviews, debates, readings and workshops all provided by literary legends, politicians, and stars of the stage and screen.

The wide-ranging themes in 2010 include poetry, a fresh look at the classical world, future fiction and economics as just a few examples, as well as ‘locally sourced’ which celebrates home grown writing talent.

From hearing from the likes of Salman Rushdie and dining with Philip Pullman to relaxing with a single malt whisky, SoGlos.com’s hand-picked highlights are just a few from the jam-packed 2010 schedule. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday 16 August 2010.

Day one at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Friday 8 October 2010

Famed film director and writer Guillermo del Toro will be at the Town Hall to talk about his new novel, The Fall, which forms the second part of his modern-day vampire trilogy co-authored with Chuck Hogan. This event takes place at 7pm, tickets cost £7.

Day two at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Saturday 9 October 2010

Hotel du Vin Cheltenham will play host to acclaimed His Dark Materials writer Philip Pullman, who will be talking about his life and work over a lavish three-course lunch with wine. Fans can also purchase a signed copy of The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ for £10 extra. This event takes place at 12.30pm, tickets cost £70.

Popular author of Birdsong and Devil May Care, Sebastian Faulks, will be giving the Everyman Theatre audience an anticipated insight into his most recent novel A Week in December. This event takes place at 12pm, and tickets cost £8.

The Everyman Theatre will be the place to catch a rare appearance of Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie, who will be discussing his life and work, as well as new novel Luka and the Fire of Life. This event takes place at 2pm, and tickets cost £9.

Day three at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Sunday 10 October 2010

The worlds of words and whisky combine at the Highland Park marquee where free samples of the fine single malt can be tasted alongside contemporary British writing. This event takes place at 1.15pm to 1.30pm; 2.15pm to 2.30pm; 3.15pm to 3.30pm; and 6.15pm to 6.30pm, and is free of charge.

Former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion will be reading from Laurels and Donkeys, his new thought-provoking collection of war poems. This event takes place at 12pm, and tickets cost £7.

Based on his Telegraph columns, presenter and comedian Graham Norton will be revealing his advice on relationships, life and just about everything else at The Centaur. This event takes place at 4pm, and tickets cost £15.

Day four at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Monday 11 October 2010

The Gloucestershire Writers’ Network will be presenting a diverse mix of writing inspired by the theme of ‘Dreams and Nightmares’, with performance poet Peter Wyton at The Playhouse Theatre. This event takes place at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £6.

Day five at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Tuesday 12 October 2010

His despairing emails about grammatical mistakes to colleagues at the Telegraph has made Simon Heffer something of a sticklers’ hero, and now Everyman Theatre audiences can hear more about his Strictly English: the Correct Way to Write… and Why It Matters. This event takes place at 8.45pm, and tickets cost £6.

Day six at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Italian chef Antonio Carluccio will be sharing his 50 years in the trade with Everyman Theatre food lovers, explaining why he loves Simple Cooking. This event takes place at 8.45pm, and tickets cost £9.

Day seven at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Thursday 14 October 2010

The Festival Book Group will be discussing Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd at the Town Hall this year, with avid readers given the chance to share their opinions on the Bonne Maman Big Read. This event takes place at 4pm, and is free of charge.

Day eight at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Friday 15 October 2010

Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers, chocolatier Willie Harcourt-Cooze and Reggae Reggae Sauce creator Levi Roots will be joining forces for a foodie event at the Town Hall, followed by a chocoholics’ three-course lunch with Willie at The Daffodil – which includes a goody bag, signed Willie’s Chocolate Bible, as well as VIP treats. This event takes place at 10.30am with lunch from 12.30am, all inclusive tickets cost £60.

Day nine at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Saturday 16 October 2010

The final of two Family Fun Days will be kicking off at Imperial Gardens, where children can meet their favourite characters, enjoy storytelling, learn circus skills and more. This event takes place at 11am, and is free of charge.

Day ten at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Sunday 17 October 2010

On the final day of the Festival, TV funnyman Harry Hill will be giving Cheltenham Town Hall audiences a look at his spoof autobiography, Livin’ the Dreem, which is described as a blend of Samuel Pepys and Katie Price. This event takes place at 12pm, tickets cost £11.

Returning to the Festival for the second year, Audrey Niffenegger will this time be talking to a Town Hall audience about her hauntingly-illustrated tale The Night Bookmobile. This event takes place at 2pm, tickets cost £6.