insideKENT Magazine Issue 38 - May 2015 | Page 27

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

Whitstable Literary Festival
BIG NAMES AND LOCAL AUTHORS FEATURE IN SECOND YEAR LINE-UP
WhitLit has announced
Whitstable’s second literary
festival will be taking place
from 9th-17th May 2015. The
programme has doubled in
size since last year to host
over 50 events including
author chats, writing
workshops, and activities for
children and families. The
festival will take place primarily
at The Horsebridge Arts
Centre and Whitstable Library,
with additional events held at Whitstable Community College Lecture Theatre,
the Duke of Cumberland and Whitstable Castle.

Following on from last year’s hugely popular first festival, founder and director,
Victoria Falconer, was inspired to build on WhitLit’s success: “Last year’s
festival proved such a hit with the town that we couldn’t wait to get planning
the next one. We are delighted to present so many big names this year and
we're are also proud to be supporting local writing talent – about 80% of
our programme features a local author, interviewer or theme.
“Without the support of the town’s local businesses and funders, the festival
simply couldn’t happen, so I’d like to thank them all for their support. These
include our funders, Canterbury City Council; Kent County Councillors, Mark
Dance and Mike Harrison; Canterbury Arts Council; Whitstable Business
Club; our sponsors, Copperfields of Whitstable; Harbour Books; Mark Smith
Estate Agents; Parry Law; Whitstable Bay (Shepherd Neame); and Whitstable
Cottage Company. In addition, we're grateful to our partners, KCC Libraries
and Archives; Whitstable Communi ty College; The Horsebridge Centre;
Vintage Books; The Duke of Cumberland; and Whitstable Improvement
Trust. We want to create an accessible festival: many of our children and
young people’s events are free and we have kept ticket prices modest. We
really hope the town and local area will continue to support the festival and
come to as many events as possible.”

WhitLit is rapidly becoming one of the area’s leading arts festivals, as it
continues to celebrate the town’s unique heritage under the theme of
‘independent spirit’, bringing together inventive authors, innovative stories
and original voices – many with local connections.

Kate Adie

Penny Vincenzi

© Ken Lennox

Peter James

Chris Difford
Sandi Toksvig

David Nicholls

Kate Mosse

© Kristofer Samuelsson

© Mark Rusher

2015 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• A brand new mini writing festival, including a
full day of talks and discussions at Whitstable
Castle on 9th May for budding writers
• Tony Smee returns to play W. Somerset
Maugham (after last year’s sell out at the
Playhouse) for a world-first rehearsed reading
of Anthony Curtis’s final play, At the Villa
Mauresque
• UK Author of the Year, David Nicholls (One Day),
talking about his acclaimed new novel, US
• Local resident, comedienne and author, Sandi
Toksvig, discussing her life and career
• Prize-winning novelist and founder of the Orange
Prize for Fiction, Kate Mosse
• Former journalist, Kate Adie, discussing the
transition from reporting to writing
• Best-selling crime writer, Peter Jameson, on
his inspirations and influences
• Penny Vincenzi talking about her love of
Whitstable’s W. Somerset Maugham

• Renowned author, Patrick Gale, discussing his
writing and ancestral origins in Whitstable
• Actor-turned-crime writer, Robert Daws, in
conversation with mystery novelist, Lesley
Cookman
• Psychologist, author and 60's model, Jenny
Boyd, interviewing Squeeze’s Chris Difford about
his life in music
• The Sunday Times columnist and Perrier
nominee, Andrew Clover, with his new show
• Pioneering feminist, Lynne Segal, about her
extraordinary life and the rise of new feminism
• An agony aunt panel debate with Irma Kurtz,
Keren Smedley, and Anna Raeburn with ex OK!
editor, Richard Barber
• Andy Miller performing the new version of his
sell-out show, Read Y’Self Fitter
• Music experts, Clinton Heylin, Peter Doggett
and Andy Miller, debating music biographies
• Former EastEnders writer, Julie Wassmer, talking
about her new Whitstable Pearl mystery series

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All tickets are available from The Horsebridge
Arts Community Centre Centre Box Office, 11
Horsebridge Road, CT5 1AF, 01227 281174 or
online at www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk
(online booking fees apply).
There are a limited number of festival passes
sold on a first-come-first-served basis available
for just £45, saving a potential £52. This will
gain you access to every event, with the
exception of the writers' day and Reading
Fairy event.

All programme details
can be found at
www.whitlit.co.uk.