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Calling all book worms! Or should we say toads? Tonight, the Festival of Words opens its third year with a play about the joys of Jersey life soundtracked by a rather unusual album.
Local theatre group ‘Plays Rough’ will launch the annual literary festival with a performance entitled ‘Crapaud to Joy’, inspired by the masterful work of 70s crooner Bob Anthony, who penned an entire album dedicated to the Rock: ‘Ile d’Amour’.
But while starting on a local note, the 2017 Festival of Words features an eclectic mix of UK talent, which will take readers on a journey from the wizarding world of Harry Potter to horse riding, healthy eating and questions about our very existence.
Video: The album that inspired the Festival of Words' opening play.
With names including Children’s Laureate Lauren Child – creator of the Charlie and Lola series – and BBC’s Clare Balding and Greg James there to launch their kiddie creations, the event will have a special draw for the island’s young bibliophiles.
More than 3,000 schoolchildren are expected to benefit from the Santander International Schools Programme alongside the book fest, which will allow them to meet the authors and become inspired by literature.
Grown-ups might be more taken, however, by the talks by Women’s Hour star Dame Jenni Murray, who will speak about British history’s most influential women, No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency author Alexander McCall, and John Boyne, who wrote The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
Pictured: A snapshot of the big names taking part in the 2017 literary extravaganza.
Columnist Daisy Buchanan and Deliciously Ella cooking blogger Ella Mills will also be on hand to solve modern struggles in the form of an agony aunt session and a chat on healthy living.
Such names have made the festival’s programme a page-turner for the Jersey public, and a discussion on the universe by veteran religion ridiculer and scientific questioner Richard Dawkins is already fully booked.
Festival Chairman Jennifer Bridge commented: “Each year the Festival gathers momentum and it’s exciting to see tickets selling so well at this stage. It’s wonderful to have so many household names headlining, not least Dame Jenni Murray and Professor Richard Dawkins. We aim to grow in breadth and depth so we are also very pleased to have made links with local charities and will be donating some of the ticket sales to Autism Jersey, Eyecan, Mind Jersey and JCCT.”
Video: Last year's Festival of Words.
Events will take place across The Opera House, Arts Centre, Maritime Museum, Chordz Coffee Shop, St James Wine Bar and Jersey Hospice until Sunday.
Click here for the full line-up, and keep an eye on Express for the lowdown on the week's events.
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