A new Brand for Henley Festival

GEMMA DAVIDSON finds out the latest big name to sign up for a local literary festival

AMAJOR name has been confirmed for this year’s Henley Literary Festival. Comedian-turned-activistturned-writer Russell Brand will be making a rare literary festival appearance to discuss his new book Fix: Freedom From Your Addictions. The book is a typically frank, funny and engaging look at a wide variety of addictions, from alcohol and drugs to digital media and bad relationships.

Brand, who moved to the Thames-side town last year, will be speaking at the Christ Church Centre on Friday, October 6.

He joins a line-up of some of the UK’s leading novelists, broadcasters and even royalty for the event, which is set to take place between October 2 and 8.

The Festival, supported by Baillie Gifford, will see more than 150 talks, Q&As and performances for adults and children across the town.

Other speakers announced recently include Princess Michael of Kent, bestselling novelists Rachel Joyce, Joanne Harris and Ayisha Malik, Pointless star Richard Osman, acclaimed YA author Katherine Rundell. History events include Victor Sebestyen on Lenin, Peter Stanford on Martin Luther and Rebecca Fraser on the Mayflower.

Brand said: “I am very much looking forward to the Henley Literary Festival which not only has a great reputation but has the unique distinction of being the only book festival from which I can be home in 10 minutes.”

Festival events director Harriet Reed added: “It has been hard keeping this secret since we booked Russell in February but we are delighted that Russell can be part of what we think is our strongest line-up with this fascinating new book. And we are so excited to be bringing Joanne Harris, Richard Osman and Katherine Rundell to the Festival for the first time, as well as welcoming back old friends like Rachel Joyce, Peter Stanford and Princess Michael of Kent.”

Tickets go on sale in July, with many more authors to be announced in the coming months. Previously confirmed speakers include former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo, Radio 1’s Gemma Cairney, The Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins, Jess Phillips MP and mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington.

For more information visit www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk.