The 'Word' is out on Oswestry festival Warhorse headliner
Published date:
01 January 2013 |
Published by:
Emily Davies
Read more articles by Emily Davies
THE man behind 2012’s hit wartime Hollywood movie will headline next year’s Oswestry’s Festival of the Word.
Michael Morpurgo penned the worldwide best-selling children’s book, War Horse, which became a global phenomenon on the London stage and later a hit movie directed by Steven Spielberg.
He will formally open the ten-day performance-packed event which is now in its fourth year and runs from March 9.
Morpurgo’s appearance on the second day, will be mirrored by former English Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, who will close the literary feast with a poetry performance alongside the Endellion String Quartet at Holy Trinity Church on March 19.
Oswestry LitFest Director, John Waine, said: “We have another exceptional array of new and established literary, performance and theatrical talent lined up this year.”
The full programme will be revealed at a launch party on January 16, which will include readings from award-winning actress, radio playwright and 2012 Booker Long-Listed author, Rachel Joyce, whose poignantly funny best-selling debut novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, was one of the smash hit novels of 2012, gaining her instant critical acclaim for her seamless transfer from radio to print.
Mr Waine, from the Best of Oswestry website, which collaborates with Booka Bookshop, Oswestry School and Oswestry Library to host the event, added: “It’s an eclectic programme covering literature, film, adult and children’s drama, poetry, song, journalism, creative writing workshops, school events, town events, fairly priced and free events, morning, noon and night events. We hope we’ve got something for everyone, appealing to all age ranges and budgets.”
Tickets for the launch event at The Walls Restaurant are £8 and include a complimentary glass or Prosecco, nibbles and a paperback copy of the Fry story, plus early bird discounts on the festival’s signature events.
They are available from Booka Bookshop, or by calling 01691 662244 and must be paid in full by Friday.
Hospitality packages for sponsorship of signature events are available from the Jools Payne Partnership by calling 01691 712755 or emailing jools@thejoolspaynepartnership.com