Programme
* Download the Os Lit Fest Programme as an A4-size PDF document.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dale Wasserman, Playwright
5th-10th March, Doors 7:15pm for 7.30pm at The Attfield Theatre
Tickets: £6 BOOK: Call 01691 680222 EMAIL: tickets@attfieldtheatre.co.uk
The Festival of the Word kicks off with the Attfield Theatre Company’s production of Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel set in a mental institution, which went on to became one of the most iconic movies of the modern age. In this Dale Wasserman adaptation for the stage, Nurse Ratched and the anti-authoritarian recidivist, Randle McMurphy battle for supremacy once more. (Adults Only).
Make up a Song: Song-writing workshop with Kate Allan
10th March, 11am-1pm at Memorial Hall
Tickets: FREE entry
Bring paper, pen, any portable instrument (not compulsory)
FILM: The Adventures of Tintin – The Secret of the Unicorn [PG] in 2D
Mon 12th March, 7.30pm at The Attfield Theatre
Tickets: £5 Adult/£3 (under 16) – Must be reserved, call Kinokulture 0845 2500517 or email info@kinokulture.org.uk
Based on the series of books “The Adventures of Tintin” by Hergé, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have created a fast paced and rip roaring big screen adventure. Intrepid young reporter Tintin (Jamie Bell) and his loyal dog Snowy are thrust into a world of high adventure when they discover a ship carrying an explosive secret.
Frank Cottrell Boyce, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again
Mon 12th March, 9.30am at Woodside School [SCHOOLS ONLY]
Mon 12th March, 2pm at Oswestry School [SCHOOLS ONLY]
Frank visits Woodside School to read excerpts from his sequel to Ian Fleming’s famous tale of a magical car. Frank’s version brings us bang up to date when an unwitting family install an ‘abandoned’ engine into their VW Camper van setting in motion a chain of extraordinary events. (Children)
READ MORE ABOUT FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE
Mon 12th March, 3.30pm at Oswestry Library [children's event]
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again. An opportunity for the children of Oswestry to meet Frank and learn more about his work and sequel. Frank will be reading excerpts in the Library’s performance arena and conducting a book signing. (Children)
The Poets’ Howl & OsWords magazine Launch
Tues 13th March, 7.30pm at The Ironworks, FREE entry
This is an open mic event and a chance for Oswestrians and festival visitors to perform their own poems in front of an enthusiastic and supportive audience of poetry lovers.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT: info@oswestrylitfest.co.uk to bag your spot. (All)
OsWords is the official magazine of the Oswestry Writers Lab. Members meet fortnightly on a Wednesday at The Bell public house on Church Street.
[Photo: www.stonehousephotographic.com]
Barbara Mitchellhill, Run Rabbit Run
Wed 14th March, 10.30am at Oswestry School [Schools only]
Barbara Mitchelhill’s storytelling visit will focus on her latest children’s novel, which is nominated for this year’s prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal. Set in WWII, it is a dramatic tale of a conscientious objector evading those who want to send him to war. This book will be a real hit with the many readers who love “Carrie’s War” and “Goodnight Mister Tom”. Armadillo Magazine
READ MORE ABOUT BARBARA MITCHELHILL
Kate Charles, Talk “At Ease with Ladies: Clergy in the novels of Barbara Pym”
Wed 14th March, 2.30pm at The Willow Gallery (Reserve a seat at: Willow Gallery)
Tickets: FREE (Must be reserved) RESERVE: 01691 657575 or email info@oswestrylitfest.co.uk
Kate Charles, who was described by the Oxford Times as “a most English writer”, is in fact an expatriate American, though an unashamedly Anglophilic one. She has a special interest and expertise in clerical mysteries, and lectures frequently on crime novels with church backgrounds. A former chairman of the Barbara Pym Society, Kate will look at the role of the clergy in Barbara Pym’s books.
NOTE: There will be an unveiling of a plaque in Barbara Pym’s honour at Willow Gate at 12.30pm
Sunny Ormonde, An Evening with The Archers & More
Wed 14th March, 7.30pm at The Walls (Booking Office: Booka Bookshop)
Tickets: £7 (£6 Pre-booked discount) BOOK: 01691 662244 or email info@oswestrylitfest.co.uk
Ms. Ormonde will entertain her audience with a unique performance of poetry and prose as well as anecdotes from her long TV, stage and radio career and has a wealth of tales as one of the key characters, Lillian, in The Archers. She will also conduct what promises to be a lively and hugely enjoyable Q&A session with The Walls’ audience.
Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers
With Mandy Kirkby (The Language of Flowers: A Miscellany)
PLUS Flower Arranging Demonstration by Oswestry & Borders Flower Club
AND includes flower-themed cupcakes by Crumblicious.
Thurs 15th March, 2 pm at Oswestry Library (include refreshments)
Tickets: £4 BOOK: 01691 677388 or email oswestry.library@shropshire.gov.uk
(Booking Office: Oswestry Library)
A true coup for the OsLitFest this year is the visit to Oswestry by highly acclaimed US novelist, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, whose internationally best-selling debut novel, The Language of Flowers was inspired by Kate Greenaway’s Victorian book of the same name and draws upon her own experience of the US foster care system. Ms. Diffenbaugh is only in the UK for a very short time so to tempt her to Oswestry is a major achievement.
This event is made all the more special by the simultaneous visit of Mandy Kirkby whose enchanting compendium book, The Language of Flowers: A Miscellany celebrates the myriad messages conveyed by 50 different plants and flowers and is tipped to be this spring’s must buy Mother’s Day gift.
READ MORE ABOUT VANESSA DIFFENBAUGH
Suzannah Dunn, The Confession of Katherine Howard
plus Cate Howell of the Corbet Bed Project
Thurs 15th March, 7 pm at Oswestry Library (include refreshments)
Tickets: £3 BOOK: 01691 677388 or email oswestry.library@shropshire.gov.uk
(Booking Office: Oswestry Library)
Shropshire’s very own Suzannah Dunn graces the OsLitFest this year to talk about her historical novels and her latest work – the fictitious portrayal of King Henry VIII’s ill-fated teenage bride, Katherine Howard.
Cate tells how The Corbet Bed Project brought together over 200 embroiderer volunteers in Shropshire to re-create the intricate tapestry vallance, curtain and covers that would have adorned the c16 Corbet Bed, originally built for Sir Andrew Corbet in 1593. Woven from the finest threads, the project took 13 years to complete and is now on display at Rowley’s House, Shrewsbury.
Storytime & Gruffalo Hunt
Fri 16th March, 2 pm at Oswestry Library (children only)
Tickets: FREE – Please BOOK to reserve: 01691 677388 or email oswestry.library@shropshire.gov.uk
A chance for Oswestry’s youngsters to come face to face with Julia Donaldson’s much loved (and dauntingly big beast) the Gruffalo itself! Oswestry’s fantastic library team will host this storytime event for younger children with the endearing Gruffalo lurking nearby!
Matt Harvey, Wondermentalist (Arts Alive event)
Fri 16th March, 7 pm at Oswestry Library
Tickets: £7/£4, £23 Family – BOOK: 01691 677388 or email oswestry.library@shropshire.gov.uk
(Booking Office: Oswestry Library)
This event is brought to Oswestry by Arts Alive. Radio 4 Saturday Live’s Matt Harvey, enemy of all that’s difficult and upsetting, presents his solo Edinburgh show Wondermentalist. Expect wordplay and wistfulness, poignancy and po- faced cheek, with poems and stories about IT and potatoes, petty theft and public nudity, streakers, superheroes, and slugs.
“Very funny…” The Independent, “…not only funny, but tender and true” The Guardian, “One of the country’s finest performance poets.” The Scotsman.
For more information about Arts Alive events in Shropshire, www.artsalive.co.uk.
An Audience with Gillian Clarke, Welsh Poet Laureate
Sat 17th March, 7 pm at Peter Humphrey’s Centre, Oswestry School
Tickets: £10 (£9 pre-booked before end of Feb)
BOOK: 01691 662244 or email mail@bookabookshop.co.uk
(Booking Office: Booka Bookshop)
The signature event of this year’s Festival of the Word, Welsh Poet Laureate, Gillian Clarke, is certain to engage and inspire all those lucky enough to secure a ticket.
Ms. Clarke will talk about her varied life as a writer, teacher and playwright and of course, of her elevation to the post of Poet Laureate for her beloved Wales, where she continues to live and work.
A must for any lover of Wales, words, language and culture.
A Lunch with David Nobbs (Creator of Reggie Perrin)
Mon 19th March, 1 pm at The Walls Restaurant
Tickets: £20 (£18 pre-booked before end of Feb) includes The Walls’ lunch.
BOOK: 01691 662244 or email mail@bookabookshop.co.uk
(Booking Office: Booka Bookshop)
Creator of one of UK TV’s best loved comic characters, Reggie Perrin, David Nobbs is guest of honour at what promises to be a hugely entertaining and intellectually stimulating luncheon at Oswestry’s most impressive dining venue.
With humour, wit and intelligence on the menu, Nobbs will ensure guests leave replete with the sound of Reggie ringing in their ears.
An Evening with Peter James (award-winning Crime Author)
Tues 20th March, 7 pm at The Walls Restaurant
Tickets: £10 (£9 pre-booked before end of Feb) includes glass of wine & nibbles.
BOOK: 01691 662244 or email mail@bookabookshop.co.uk
(Booking Office: Booka Bookshop)
The Walls hosts this evening with the international best-selling crime thriller novelist and creator of the award- winning DS Roy Grace crime series. Peter’s work has been published in 34 languages. He is one of those authors who retain a legion of devoted fans, some of whom may plumb the depths of subterfuge and criminality featured in his compelling thrillers in order to secure a ticket for this event.
MORE PROGRAMME UPDATES COMING SOON…
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