Newark Book Festival line-up and programme announced ahead of July’s literary adventure
A line-up of best-selling, award-winning, globally renowned authors, writers and storytellers are set to feature at a popular festival.
The Newark Book Festival programme and box office are now live for this year’s festival — themed on The Power of Play.
It will run from Thursday, July 11, to Sunday, July 14, and boasts events and activities suitable for all ages.
The cultural highlight of the town features more than just books and reading, focusing on sports, arts, heritage, music, word art, street theatre, and a town-wide murder mystery.
The festival team is delighted to announce that one of Britain’s best-loved writers and performance poets for children and adults is joining the festival this year.
Michael Rosen will open the event as the Thursday afternoon headliner, sponsored by The National Holocaust Centre and Museum.
In conversation with one of the festival’s board members, Dr Tim Rideout, former Children’s Laureate Mr Rosen will be reading extracts of his moving title, The Missing, on the Palace Theatre stage.
Among the award-winners and best-sellers on the agenda for this year’s book festival are Mark Billingham, Holly Smale, Helen Russell, Nicci French, John Goodbody, Jasper Fforde, Frances Stickley and Joseph Coelho.
“This year the festival will bring over 70 authors, writers, storytellers and artists to Newark, our eighth festival and the biggest one yet,” said festival director, Sara Bullimore.
“You’ll see the theme of joy and playfulness run through the programme this year. With the likes of Olympic sporting journalism legend, John Goodbody, Season One Traitors contestant and screen-free games masters Ivan Brett, and even a real live Tellytubby, Nikky Smedley who confesses what it was like to play LaaLaa. It is going to be a fun-fuelled four days this July.”
As well as a variety of talks and readings with authors, other events throughout the festival include a book and jigsaw swap, bookmaking and journalling workshop, poetry workshop, musical play, a Smoke and Mirrors swing dance performance, drop-in play sessions, and Urban Canvas word art.
The events take place at venues across the town, inlcuding the Buttermarket, Newark Library, the Palace Theatre, Newark Town Hall, Newark Castle, the National Civil War Centre and Newark Parish Church.
As in festivals past, the Market Place will become the Festival Literary Village — offering a range of crafts, bookish organisations, authors, published books and street performances throughout the four-day festival.
Tickets and the full programme of events are available through the festival’s website, newarkbookfestival.org.uk, or Newark Palace Theatre’s box office.
The book festival prides itself on being accessible and affordable, with tickets to headline events costing no more than £12 for full-paying adults, and a selection of free family-friendly events across the four days.
Festival Friends can also save money by benefitting from discounted tickets and VIP upgrades, while also supporting the ongoing running of the festival. Membership starts at £20 for the whole year, and you can sign up directly through the festival website.
