Booking
Bookfest 2011 is now over. Watch this space for announcements regarding Bookfest 2012. You can scroll down to see a list of 2011 events below.
Saturday 01 October 2011
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The Gruffalo
Curzon Cinekids
Enjoy a screening of the magical adaptation of this much loved picture book written by Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. A storytelling workshop will follow where children can make their own storybooks and meet the Gruffalo himself.
hmvcurzon, Wimbedon 10.30am and 10.45am Tickets: £3 children [£1 adults]
The Grufflo will be there to greet you from 10am
ALSO ON SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER. PLEASE NOTE: Event organised by hmvcurzon CineKids.
SOLD OUT
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A Mouse’s Tale
Enjoy a performance of the well loved Aesop’s fable 'A Town Mouse & A Country Mouse' by Page to Stage’s Theatre Company followed by a hands on Big Art workshop
inspired by the performance. The Tot Art team will guide children and families to draw, paint and make collages based on A Mouse’s Tale. The event includes a short animated screening of a story by Tony Kane.
Hillside Church, Worple Rd. 2.15-4pm [doors 2pm]
Suitable: 3-8 years Tickets: £7
In conjunction with the The Big Draw. Kindly supported by Hillside Church AND Aquatint BSC.
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Make a Film in a Day
Adrenaline-fuelled, live action filmmaking culminating in a screening at 4.30pm. The stars of tomorrow work in teams to create their story, get into costume, shoot and edit their film in time for a World Premiere of their first movie. Run by The Young Film Academy. [max particiapnts: 16]
St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Place 10am-5pm
Ages: 10-16 years Tickets: £40
Kindly supported by St Mark’s Church, Wimbledon.
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Richard Surman
Betjeman’s Churches
Although most famous for his poetry, Sir John Betjeman’s greatest passion was churches. For over 50 years his guide has been the eminent authority on the best churches to visit. This new edition has been updated by the bestselling author and curator of Southside House, Richard Surman, who will provide an illustrated talk.
Southside House 2pm Tickets: £10
Kindly supported by the Pennington Munthe-Mellor Trust.
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Claire Tomalin
Dickens: A Life
In conversation with James Naughtie
The highly acclaimed biographer of Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and Samuel Pepys brings this much awaited biography published for the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth to Wimbledon Bookfest. The great novelist was the creator of characters who live immortally in the English imagination: the Artful Dodger, Mr Pickwick, Pip, David Copperfield, Little Nell and many, many more. Claire Tomalin reveals an unforgettable portrait of Dickens, capturing brilliantly the complex character of this great genius, who rose to scale all the social and literary heights, entirely through his own efforts. Claire will be in conversation with writer and broadcaster James Naughtie. James is a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s 'Today' programme and 'Bookclub'.
King’s College School, Great Hall 6pm Tickets: £15 [incl welcome glass of wine/soft drink]
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Michelle Paver
Ghost Tales: Dark Matter
The Wimbledon author of the children’s series
The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, writes
a ghost tale for adults. Her reading will be in
the ideal setting of historic Southside House.
Michelle will read from the book and host a Q&A.
Southside House 8pm Suitable for 14+ Tickets: £10.
Kindly supported by the Pennington Munthe-Mellor Trust.
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Sunday 02 October 2011
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A N Wilson
Dante in Love
A N Wilson presents a glittering study of an
artist and his world, arguing that without
an understanding of medieval Florence it is
impossible to comprehend the meaning of
Dante’s great poem The Divine Comedy. The
award-winning biographer and Fellow of the Royal Society of
Literature unlocks one of the seminal works of literature.
Sunday 2 October King’s College Collyer Hall 3pm Tickets: £8
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Anne Sebba
That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson
Wallis Simpson, a symbol of female empowerment and a style icon, is a continued object of fascination. Anne Sebba draws upon previously unpublished archives and material to reveal how an American divorcee who the Royal Family referred to as ‘That Woman’ became a hate figure for tiggering the abdication of Edward VIII from from the Throne.
Sunday 2 October King’s College Collyer Hall 5pm Tickets: £8
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William Rees-Mogg
Memoirs
Lord William Rees-Mogg recounts the story of a colourful life, and reflects on the key figures and
events of his time. As editor of The Times, journalist, commentator, Chairman of the Arts Council
and, later, Chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Council William Rees-Mogg has spent his life at
the centre of events in politics and journalism. Often controversial and never dull, he has always
fiercely defended opinions which go to the heart of the problems of the day; from his famous
defence of Mick Jagger on a charge of possessing cannabis to his defence of monetarism.
Sunday 2 October King’s College Great Hall 7pm Tickets: £10
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Monday 03 October 2011
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Norman Plastow
Wimbledon at War
Wimbledon was one of the first London Suburbs to be bombed in World War II. Norman Plastow,
MBE, FRIBA, gives a detailed account of this era in 'Safe as Houses', with some amusing anecdotes of
the time. Norman Plastow will be interview by fellow historian John Hawks.
Monday 3 October Cannizaro House Hotel. 3.30pm Tickets £8
Hosted and supported by the Wimbledon Society
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 | Georgette Heyer
Biography of a Bestseller: Jennifer Kloester
The definitive biography of Britain’s longest reigning romantic novelist comes with the backing of
both the Heyer family and Georgette’s previous biographer. Jennifer Kloester has accessed a wealth
of new letters and material to produce a portrait of a glamorous but intensely private bestselling
author who has proved her durability for over ninety years.
Monday 3 October King’s College, Collyer Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £8
Hosted and sponsored by the Wimbledon Society
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Roma Tearne From Brixton Beach to The Swimmer
A welcome rescheduling with Roma Tearne,
following the late cancellation of last year’s
event. The Sri Lankan artist will discuss her
latest novel, the unconventional romance
between a young Tamil immigrant Ben, and a
native-born poet Ria , as well as her previous work including
the critically acclaimed Bone China and Brixton Beach. A
perfect event for bookclubs chaired by Jennifer Cox.
Monday 3 October Wimbledon Library 7.30pm. Tickets £6
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Penny Vincenzi's Girls' Night Out
Penny Vincenzi, Kay Burley and Tasmina Perry
The grande dame of the ‘bonkbuster’ hosts her ever popular ‘Girls’ Night’ with Sky news presenter
Kay Burley and fellow Headline writer Tasmina Perry. Join them for an evening of glamour, sparkle
and thoroughly good gossip. Always a sell-out, early booking advised. The Prosecco will be flowing!
Monday 3 October Cannizaro House Hotel Prosecco & canapes: 7.30pm Author Event: 8pm
Tickets: £15
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Tuesday 04 October 2011
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Martin Kemp
Leonardo da Vinci
The leading art expert will speak about
Leonardo da Vinci. Martin Kemp is one of
the four expert authenticators of the newly
discovered Salvator Mundi painting, which sees
its first public viewing at the National Gallery
this autumn. The exhibition at the National will have the largest
amount of da Vinci paintings exhibited in one place.
Wimbledon College of Art 7pm Tickets: £10
Supported by the Wimbledon College of Art
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Sarah Gristwood
Girl in the Mirror
The acclaimed writer of bestselling history books Arbella and Elizabeth and Leicester, presents her first novel, rich with the details of life and politics of Elizabeth I’s Court. A popular literary speaker, Sarah will show how her background as an historian provides the tools required for a great novel. Sarah has also co-written a book on royal weddings, The Ring & the Crown.
Tuesday 4 October Wimbledon High School 7pm Tickets: £8
Kindly Supported by Wimbledon High School
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Ellen Feldman
Scottsboro
‘Anyone who wants to appreciate the scale of the miracle that a black man has been elected president of the United States should sit down with Scottsboro’ - Lionel Shriver.
The Orange Prize shortlisted Scottsboro tackles the racial tension evident in the Deep South of the US; Alabama, 1931, stirring racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism into an explosive brew, Scottsboro is a novel of a shocking injustice that reverberated around the world. Chaired by writer and Bookclub Host, Jennifer Cox.
Tuesday 4 October Wimbledon Library 7.30pm Tickets: £6
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 | Sir Max Hastings
All Hell Let Loose
A welcome return to Wimbledon following a sell-out event in 2009. Sir Max Hastings provides the
seminal narrative history of the Second World War. A book that depicts what the war was like to
live through – whether you were a starving child in Leningrad, a soldier in North Africa, or a
civilian in Dresden.
Review from Hastings' 'The Finest Years': ‘Hastings’s brilliant…remarkable book… At a time when our
politicians are mismanaging a foreign war, it has many invaluable lessons….a timely as well
as a judicious and important book.’ Michael Burleigh, Sunday Telegraph.
Tuesday 4 October King’s College School, Great Hall 7.30pm. Tickets £10
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 | Literary Pub Quiz
The Swan pub host the Bookfest hottest ticket, The Literary Pub Quiz. The first lucky 60 people
will have their literary wits challenged by a celebrity compere. Previous comperes: Andy Hamilton,
Tony Hawks and Dominic Holland. Guaranteed to be a fun night and a Bookfest highlight.
Tuesday 4 October Swan Pub 8pm Tickets: £10
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Wednesday 05 October 2011
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Glittery Literary Lunch
Adele Parks, Jessica Ruston and Penny Vincenzi
Join these three bestselling authors of popular women’s fiction for a lunch that sparkles at the
Light House Restaurant. Hosted by Bookfest Patron Penny Vincenzi.
Wednesday 5 October Light House Restaurant
12.30-2.30pm
Welcome:12.30-1pm Lunch 1-2pm
Tickets: £30 (incl 2 course lunch & glass of wine)
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Alistair Darling
Back from the Brink: 1000 Days at No.10
A rare opportunity to hear from one of the most recognisable and respected politicians in Britain.
For 1,000 days, Alistair Darling guided Britain’s economy through the worst financial crisis in the
nation’s history. Now he reveals exactly what happened when Northern Rock shares went into free-fall and
institutions ‘too big to fail’ such as Lehman Brothers went into collapse. Alistair will be in
conversation with Faisal Islam, economics editor of Channel 4 who as provided the foreword for
the book. Introduced by Toby Mundy, Atlantic Books.
Wednesday 5 October The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 7.30pm Tickets: £15
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 | Susan Hill
The Betrayal of Trust
The bestselling author and Booker judge launches her new book in the Simon Serrailler detective
series, 'Betrayal of Trust'. Next year sees the film adaptation of 'The Woman in Black', and although the
play has been performed in numerous countries, including a long West End run, Susan says ‘It
was, and is always a book.’ Susan has won the Whitbread Prize and been Booker shortlisted.
Wednesday 5 October The Study Preparatory School 7.30pm Tickets £8
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Thursday 06 October 2011
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Carol Ann Duffy
The Bees
‘Carol Ann Duffy is the most humane and accessible poet of our time.’ - The Guardian.
The Poet Laureate comes to Wimbledon on National Poetry Day and will read from her new
collection 'The Bees' - her first new collection since 'Rapture', and since she was made Poet Laureate. The event will be introduced by Adam O'Riordan.
Thursday 6 October The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 7.30pm Tickets: £10
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Francine Stock
In Glorious Technicolour
A personal journey through a glorious
century of cinema from film lover,
critic and current presenter of the Film
Programme Francine Stock. Charting
key films from the past hundred years,
Francine explores the nature of our
relationship with film – from the first screenings of the
Lumiere Brothers’ short films, which saw audiences shrinking
from oncoming trains, to the perception-altering 3-D Avatar.
Thursday 6 October Polka Theatre. Doors: 7pm Pre screening talk & signing: 7.30-8pm
Film Screening: 8.15pm Tickets £10 (£7 WFC members).
In partnership with Wimbledon Film Club
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Friday 07 October 2011
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Maisy Workshop
Come and meet Maisy and enjoy
an afternoon of storytelling, drawing
and fun with the mouse created by
Lucy Cousins.
Friday 7 October The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common
Suitable 2+
2pm £5 [children must be accompanied]
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 | The Seven Deadly Sins
Let the Audience Decide!
The 12 shortlisted stories of the Bookfest 7 Deadly Sins short story competition will read their entries. The audience will then pick the winner. For more information on entering
click here.
The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common. 6pm
Tickets: £6 Sponsored by Time & Leisure magazine.
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Ahdaf Soueif The Arab Spring
The Egyptian author of the Man Booker shortlisted The Map of Love and political commentator is also the founder the Palestinian literature festival PalFest which
asserts “the power of culture over the culture of power.” Ahdaf will be in conversation with the BBC’s David Cowling.
Friday 7 October Southside House. 7.30pm. Tickets: £10
Sponsored by Marcus Beale Architects Supported by the Pennington Munthe-Mellor Trust
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 | Comedy on the Common
The first of two nights of Bookfest comedy. Tonight's line-up includes headliner
Rob Deering, as well as Pat Cahill and Pippa Evans. Your host for the evening will be Matt Green.
Early booking is strongly advised.
The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common. 8pm.
Tickets: £15 [includes a welcome beer/glass of wine]
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Saturday 08 October 2011
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How to Get Published
This panel of experts demystify the process behind getting your book published. In a world where authors are going straight to print; find out the need for an agent or a publisher. Panel: Peter Straus, Rogers Coleridge White, Toby Mundy, Atlantic Publishing and Simon Acland, self-published writer. Chair: Alison Baverstock, author How to Get Published.
The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 11am Tickets: £8
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Terry Jones
Animal Tales
Monty Python’s Terry Jones will have readers of all ages rolling with laughter. Meet the golden snail of Surbiton who stands up to the evil robber ants and the flea who thinks he is the manager of a megastore. Terry will be in conversation with children’s writer and playwright, David Wood OBE.
Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 2pm Tickets: £7
Suitable: 5+ to adult
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The Real Downton Abbey
Countess of Carnarvon
Hear the story behind Highclere Castle where the BBC series Downton Abbey is filmed. Highclere Castle is one of England’s most exquisite Victorian castles and the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Lady Fiona Carnarvon tells the remarkable story behind the real Downton Abbey and Lady Almina who married into the family bringing an enormous fortune. The illegitimate daughter of banking tycoon, Alfred de Rothschild, Lady Almina had to win over society. The book spans the time period covered by the first two series of Downton Abbey. The first series attracted 12 million viewers and the new series, which begins in October, focuses on the Great War.
Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 4pm £10
JOINT TICKET PRICE WITH DAISY GOODWIN AT SOUTHSIDE HOUSE: £15
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Daisy Goodwin
My Last Duchess
A return visit from the broadcaster and TV producer talk about her novel in the perfect setting of Southside House. Daisy’s novel follows the lives of the young American heiresses married off to to the sons of the impoverished aristocracy of the the 19th Century.
Southside House 2pm Tickets: £10
JOINT TICKET PRICE WITH THE REAL DOWNTOWN ABBEY £15
Supported by the Pennington Munthe-Mellor Trust
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Dipika Rai
Someone Else’s Garden
The Indian writer tells the story Mamta who is born female in rural India and forced to flee to the city when her marriage breaks down. Rai reveals the India that is a misunderstood nation, a place where so much is possible and yet so difficult to achieve. She will be in conversation with Sue Pandit.
Southside House 5.30pm Tickets: £10
Supported by the Pennington Munthe-Mellor Trust.
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Odyssey of Love
Liszt and his Women
Franz Liszt was a virtuoso pianist and prolific composer whose life was crammed full of incident and romance. In an evening of words and piano music, Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres join pianist Lucy Parham to portray Liszt’s relationship with the two most important women in his life.
3 Marryat Rd 7.30-9.30pm Tickets: £15 [includes interval drink]
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Comedy on the Common
The second night of Bookfest Comedy includes headliner Paul Sinha, as well as Marcel Lucont and Joe Lycett. Early booking is strongly advised.
The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 8pm
Tickets: £15 [includes a welcome beer/glass of wine]
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Sunday 09 October 2011
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Womble Storytelling and Singalong
Enjoy a session of storytelling and singing with writer and musician Julian Butler, who will be encouraging us all to sing along and ‘Remember
You’re a Womble’.
Sunday 9 October The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 11am and 2pm[duration:45 mins]
Tickets: £5
11am event SOLD OUT
. Tickets now available for 2pm event.
Uncle Bulgaria will also be making free appearances outside the Big Tent at intervals throughout the day. |
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Lauren Child Ruby Redfort signing
The much-loved author, known for her Charlie & Lola and Clarice Bean characters, will be signing books from her new series Ruby Redfort
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Sunday 9 October The Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 11.30am-12.30pm
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The Urban Garden Helen Babbs in conversation with Andrew Fisher Tomlin
Fellow gardening writers discuss the glory of growing things, urban nature and the wildlife of London. Helen Babbs invites us to see built-up spaces in new ways and believes urban gardening can be immensely satisfying, no matter how hopeless at it you are!
Sunday 9 October
Big Tent on Wimbledon Common. 1pm Tickets: £8
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Port Isaac Fisherman's Friends
Hear the story of the world-famous fishermen whose lives changed forever when they made a million-pound record deal and played Glastonbury. Two of the fishermen will be revealing their story and enjoying a sea shanty.
Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 3pm Tickets: £8
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Maureen Lipman I Must Collect Myself
Enjoy an entertaining evening with the actress Maureen Lipman, who reflects on her life and day to day experiences in her collection of 21 monologues, 'Choice Cuts from a Short Shelf Life'. Maureen will read and perform extracts from her book, which includes some unforgettable characters including the Sheila the unintentionally smutty art teacher and the bitter American army wife drowning in the English Home Counties. Expect the odd risqué joke as well as fond and amusing memories of her late mother Zelma and her late husband, the playwright Jack Rosenthal. Maureen has the gift of making the every day entertaining. Introduced by writer and Bookfest patron David Wood OBE.
Sunday 9 October
Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 5pm. Tickets: £15
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CLOSING EVENT
Robert Harris in conversation with James Naughtie
The Festival closes with the James Naughtie Interview. He will be talking to the novelist and former political journalist, Robert Harris. Harris’ work includes Fatherland, Enigma, Pompeii, Imperium and The Ghost,
several of which have been turned into films. His new work, 'The Fear Index,' is his first contemporary thriller since 'The Ghost', generally believed to be based loosely on Tony Blair. This new novel is set in the world of high finance over the course of a single day.
James Naughtie writer and broadcaster, is a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and Bookclub.
Sunday 9 October
Big Tent on Wimbledon Common 7pm. Tickets: £15
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Bookfest Extra
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Jennifer Kavanagh
Simplicity Made Easy
Jennifer Kavanagh is an independent literary agent and writer. Her work extends to the homeless and refugees in London, work in Africa and conflict resolution in both prisons and the community. She contributes regularly to print and broadcast media.
Quaker Meeting House, 40 Spencer Hill Road SW19 4EL
Wednesday 5th October 8pm [National Quaker Week 1 - 9 October 2011]
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The Plot Thickens
A rehearsed reading of a play by Tony Kane, revealing what goes on behind (and in the) allotment shed. Thee intruigues and back stabbing of life on the allotment is a revelation. A play that makes the News of the World scandal look like a walk in the park. Directed by Jenny Lee.
Dog & Fox Pub, Wimbledon Village Tuesday 18th October 7.30 - 9.30pm Tickets £7
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