10 UNMISSABLE EVENTS AT THE CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL

10 UNMISSABLE EVENTS AT THE CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2020

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has announced the spectacular programme for 2020, which will be live streamed from Cheltenham for the first time in the history of the world’s oldest literature festival.

An unmissable autumn highlight, this year’s pioneering hybrid Festival – combining digital and in-person events – features a unique line-up of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, performers and dynamic new voices. From 2 – 11 October, the Festival will include over 160 events with over 100 broadcast live from Cheltenham’s Town Hall and the Everyman Theatre in front of a socially-distanced live audience.

Virtual visitors can explore Cheltenham’s Festival site on www.cheltenhamliteraturefestival.com interacting with speakers, browsing the bookshop, and taking part in activities for book-lovers of all ages.

Tickets to attend the Festival in person are available to a limited socially-distanced audience, including Patrons of Cheltenham Festivals. Tickets go on sale online initially to Cheltenham Festivals Gold Members from 10am on Wednesday 16 September, Silver Members on Friday 18 September, Bronze Members on Monday 21 September and 16-25 Members on Tuesday 22 September at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

Here are our 10 unmissable events at this year's festival.

ANDREW MARR
FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER • 1PM - 2PM • CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

When the Queen stepped up to her crown in 1953 at the age of 25, Britain was a very different nation. From Sylvia Plath to Elvis Costello, Frank Critchlow to Bob Geldof, Zaha Hadid to James Dyson, David Attenborough to the Beatles, how did our activists, our innovators, our artists, our every-kind-of-mover-and-shaker define and progress this new Elizabethan era over the last seven decades? Author and Broadcaster Andrew Marr (Elizabethans) traces how radically we have transformed through the course of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and where that leaves us today.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/andrew-marr/

INUA ELLAMS
FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER • 8PM - 9PM • CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

The multi award-winning poet and playwright behind The Barber Shop Chronicles, An Evening with an Immigrant and The Half God of Rainfall performs work from his highly anticipated new collection, The Actual. Described as ‘a symphony of personal and political fury’ and bringing together classical myth, vernacular dialect and dark humour, the poems confront the foolish machismo of hero culture from Perseus to Trump, from Batman to Boko Haram. Through the thick gauze of history, these breathtaking poems look the world square in the face and ask, “What the actual-?”. Don’t miss your chance to see one of our most dynamic voices at the height of his powers.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/inua-ellams

GREG JAMES AND CHRIS SMITH: KID NORMAL
SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER • 1PM - 2PM • CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

Join super-authors Greg James and Chris Smith for a high-flying, horse-summoning, storm-gathering, mind-blowing Kid Normal show, with musical accompaniment. In a top-secret school for kids with super-powers, it’s hard being the only ‘normal’ one and The Super Zeroes are about to face their greatest challenge yet in the epic conclusion to this awesome, award-winning, bestselling, super-charged series.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/greg-james-and-chris-smith-kid-normal/

CAITLIN MORAN: MORE THAN A WOMAN
SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER • 7PM - 8PM • CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

A decade ago, Caitlin Moran thought she had it all figured out. Her instant bestseller How to Be a Woman was a game-changing take on feminism, the patriarchy, and the general ‘hoo-ha’ of becoming a woman. Back then, she firmly believed ‘the difficult bit’ was over, and her forties were going to be a doddle. If only she had known. Now with ageing parents, teenage daughters, a bigger bum and a To-Do list without end, she’s back with More Than A Woman: a guide to growing older, a manifesto for change, and a celebration of all those middle-aged women who keep the world turning. Chaired by Alex Clark.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/caitlin-moran-more-than-a-woman/

CHARLIE MACKESY
SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER • 1PM - 2PM • DIGITAL EVENT ONLY

Much-loved artist and best-selling author Charlie Mackesy’s drawings of the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been a sensation; a wonderful window into the human heart, Charlie’s drawings are a reminder of the most important things in life. His tales of love, friendship and kindness have given hope to many in uncertain times. He shares with Helen Atkinson-Wood what has inspired his work and what he has planned for the future.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/charlie-mackesy/

RICHARD AND MAT OSMAN
MONDAY 5TH OCTOBER • 9PM - 10PM • EVERYMAN THEATRE

One is a beloved TV producer and presenter, one is the acclaimed bassist and founding member of iconic British rock band Suede. Now, both are novelists. In Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, a brutal killing on the doorstep of a peaceful retirement village sees a group of crime-enthusiast octogenarians become unlikely real-life detectives. In Mat Osman’s The Ruins, two brothers navigate a dream-like world of music, mystery and danger across London, LA and Las Vegas. The brother chat to one another with a Q&A with Julia Wheeler.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/l021-richard-and-mat-osman/

RUTH JONES
THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER • 6PM - 7PM • EVERYMAN THEATRE

Known for her award-winning television writing including Gavin and Stacey and Stella, Ruth Jones has gone on to receive similar acclaim for her fiction writing. Her debut novel Never Greener has sold over a quarter of a million copies, was chosen as WHSmith Fiction Book of the Year 2018 and a Zoe Ball Book Club pick and spent fifteen weeks on The Sunday Times bestseller list. She returns with Us Three, a funny, moving and uplifting novel about life’s complications, the power of friendship and how it defines and shapes our lives. She joins Hannah Beckerman to discuss her writing career.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/ruth-jones/

OLIVE AND MABLE: INTERNET SUPERSTARS
FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER • 6PM - 7PM • EVERYMAN THEATRE

As a leading commentator on the BBC’s golf, rugby, tennis and athletics coverage, Andrew Cotter (Olive, Mabel and Me) is one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting. When his commentating work disappeared overnight during lockdown, he turned to his Labradors, Olive and Mabel for inspiration, recording hilarious and heart-warming commentary to accompany their doggy antics. 40 million views later, Olive and Mabel are two of the internet’s favourite dogs – Andrew talks to the explorer and fellow Labrador obsessive Ben Fogle (Inspire: Life Lessons from Nature) about going viral, the joy of canine companionship and much more.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/olive-and-mabel-internet-superstars/

EMMA FREUD MEETS CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN
FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER • 10PM - 11PM • DIGITAL EVENT ONLY

Claudia Winkleman’s warmth, humour and no-holds-barred attitude have made her the favourite broadcaster of millions and a much-loved household name. In conversation with her friend Emma Freud, Claudia invites us all into her world, introducing her first ever book, Quite. She shares her observations on topics such as the importance of melted cheese and why black coats are vital. This is a love letter to life – the real, sometimes messy kind. Quite celebrates friendship, the power of art, the highs and lows of parenting, and of course, how a good eyeliner can really save your life.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/emma-freud-meets-claudia-winkleman/

IAN HISLOP AT 60
SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER • 9PM - 10PM • EVERYMAN THEATRE

Although he will loathe the expression, Ian Hislop is undoubtedly a national treasure. Taking over the satirical magazine Private Eye at the tender age of 26 and as the team captain with Paul Merton of the long-running and hugely popular quiz show Have I Got News for You, he has been in the public eye for most of his life. Waging war on the pompous, the pretentious, the incompetent and the corrupt whilst retaining a sense of humour, he has also gone head-to-head with some of the most powerful people in Britain, ending up in court on numerous occasions. As he reaches a landmark birthday, he joins us for this special celebratory event.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/2020-/ian-hislop-at-60/