A new literature festival for the English Riviera has been developed by the Jazz Hands team at the Palace Theatre in Paignton. The festival, the first of its kind, will take place from 10 to 13 March 2022 and will include a host of well-known authors with a connection to the local area.
Maureen McAllister, operations director says: “We are thrilled to be launching our very first literature festival at the theatre with such a fine line up of well-known names from the literary world and look forward to growing our programme to make this an annual event”.
All the events will take place at the Palace Theatre throughout the festival and the first event on Thursday 10 March will be a daytime talk with author, Rachel Trethewey providing a behind-the-scenes insight into the world of Winston Churchill as a devoted, loving father. Her book The Churchill Girls: The Story of Winston’s Daughters is the first biography about the great leader and his daughters.
On Friday 11 March, the number one Sunday Times Best Selling author, Sarah Pearse will be interviewed by Martin Thomas, Executive Director of Torbay Culture and will talk about her much acclaimed debut novel The Sanatorium, which was an instant New York Times Top Ten bestseller in hardback as well as her eagerly anticipated thriller, The Retreat.
The programme will also include events for everyone to join in and enjoy such as the Poetry Pop-Up Part Two which will be hosted by local poet and the Bard of Exeter, Robert Garnham with an opportunity to take part in an open mic session. A free creative writing taster session, led by Chris Woodhouse, who taught and managed the Adult and Community Learning provision in Paignton for many years, is on offer for adults wishing to explore their interest in creative writing, whether a complete beginner or for those already writing for pleasure.
Saturday 12 March will be Children’s Day with Torbay Libraries and children’s author, Clare Helen Welsh providing a range of interactive crafts and storytelling sessions.
Frontline Chat: Talking Cops & Comedy promises to be an entertaining evening with Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Dave Wardell; famous Twitter Cop, Harry Tangye who has policed in Devon and Cornwall for 30 years, and host BBC Devon radio presenter, David FitzGerald discussing all things related to the world of policing, followed by a book signing. Harry and Dave are both police authors, with Harry producing his best-selling autobiography, Firearms and Fatals, and a debut novel, The Cornish Scoop whilst Dave’s book Fabulous Finn.
The literature festival will conclude with an afternoon session with global No.1 best seller, Lesley Pearse on Sunday 13 March. Lesley is one of the nation’s best-loved storytellers – a Lesley Pearse book is sold every 4 minutes in the UK.
To find out more and to book tickets, visit the Palace Theatre website: English Riviera Literature Festival 2022 – Events in Paignton – The Palace Theatre Paignton or call the box office on 01803 665800.
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