First of this year’s big Ideas revealed
ROCHDALE Literature and Ideas Festival has announced its first guests ahead of this autumn’s event.
The annual celebration of arts and culture will be held over eight days, from October 14 to 21, across a number of Rochdale venues.
The first three guests have been revealed, ahead of the tickets going on sale on August 5.
Olivia Lomench-Gill, illustrator of JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will be giving a talk about her magical processes and inspiring art work at Curtain Theatre.
Milly Johnson, the ‘Queen of feel-good fiction’ and author of 15 best-selling romantic fiction novels, will be hosting an Afternoon Tea at the Town Hall.
Finally, Hannah Lee will be introducing her debut picture book at Rochdale Library, about one little girl’s quest for the best party hair.
Last year’s event featured well-known names such as BBC presenter Louise Minchin and women’s rights activist Dr Helen Pankhurst on the bill. Past guests have included Alastair Campbell, actor Simon Callow and DJ Lauren Laverne.
The festival also launched their second playwriting competition which will see one lucky young person’s original work performed by professional actors, in conjunction with the M6 Theatre Company and Touchstones.
Using the redevelopment of Rochdale Town Hall as inspiration, organisers are looking for those aged 14-25 in the borough to write a short play, with the idea of telling a different story of Rochdale.
The winning writer will be mentored by award-winning playwright Nicola Schofield to develop the script into a 30 minute play which will then be performed by professional actors in the town hall’s council chamber during the festival.
For more information visit www.rochdale literaturefestival.co.uk.