MORE than a dozen events celebrating all thing artistic will take place next month, as Northwich LitFest returns for an eighth year.

The festival brings together bestselling authors, award-winning playwrights and passionate poets for a month of intriguing and enjoyable events.

Familiar face Richard Strange – of Batman and Harry Potter fame – will share stories from his eclectic career, while renowned historian Anne Sebba will shine a light on one of the royal family’s most divisive characters.

Woven into the celebrations, from June 3 to June 29, are some of the UK’s most exciting writers and productions, along with chances for Northwich amateurs to share their work with a wider audience.

Organiser Susi Osborne began planning in earnest almost as soon as last year’s successful festival drew to a close.

Northwich Guardian:

She said: “I’m really pleased with the programme. It’s a good thing for Northwich and for people to enjoy.

“It’s a social event – when people hear the words literary festival or LitFest they tend to think it’s very serious, but it’s really not like that at all.

“Of course it has serious aspects, but it’s more of a friendly meeting place.”

Northwich LitFest 2019 programme.

All events 7.30pm start unless stated. Book online at danarts.org or contact susi.osborne@hotmail.co.uk / 01606 553433

  • Monday, June 3 – Short Story Competition final at Costa, Witton Street. Finalists will read their stories before a winner is announced. Free
  • Wednesday, June 5 – Literary Lunch at Hartford Golf Club. Enjoy lunch in the newly renovated club and meet Laura Wilkinson, author of Crossing the Line. Organised in conjunction with Sue France of Creative Connecting in Cheshire. £20, book online at Eventbrite.co.uk
  • Thursday, June 6 – Caroline England at Abda. Former divorce lawyer Caroline is the bestselling author of My Husband’s Lies and The Wife’s Secrets. Her latest book, Betray Her, is a dark psychological thriller. £5
  • Friday, June 7 – Jane James at Davenham Theatre. The writer of Dorothy – The Airings of an Archers Actor’s Aunt, which received a standing ovation from Archers star Sunny Ormonde (Lillian Bellamy) at a previous LitFest prior to a nationwide tour. She will be bringing along some work – volunteers may be required for a fun evening full of laughter. £5
  • Monday, June 10 – Anne Williams at Davenham Theatre. Book reviewer Anne of the ‘Being Anne…’ blog will tell all about her work, about travel, and everything that makes life interesting. £5
  • Tuesday, June 11 – Judith Barrow ‘In Conversation with’ Thorne Moore at Northwich Library. Two Pembrokeshire-based writers – and organisers of the Narberth Book Fair – come together to share their wisdom. £5
  • Wednesday, June 11 – Anne Sebba at Weaver Hall Museum. Historian Anne is one of Britain’s most distinguished biographers, often seen sharing her expertise in public speaking or on TV documentaries. That Woman is the biography of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. Referred to as ‘that woman’ by the Queen Mother, She became one of the most talked about women of her generation when Edward VIII gave up a throne and an empire for her love. £5
  • Friday, June 14 – Twits, Wits and Bawdy Baskets at Lion Salt Works. A new Tudor comedy about a woman’s place and the rich/poor divide. No one is quite what they seem in this cross-dressing comedy, where sexuality, class, identity and gender are put through a Victorian meat-grinder. £10
  • Monday, June 17 – Will Butters and friends at Davenham Theatre. Expect the unexpected with LitFest favourite Will – no longer ‘Billy no mates’. Laughter is guaranteed as he presents one of the many scripts he has written during the year. £5
  • Tuesday, June 18 – Stephen Booth at Northwich Library. Internationally bestselling, award-winning author of acclaimed thrillers, including Cooper and Fry which is in development as a TV programme. A brilliant speaker and author of 20 books to date. £5
  • Thursday, June 20 – An Evening of Poetry and Music at Weaver Hall Museum, 6.45pm to 9pm (doors 6.30pm). Hosted by Angela Topping featuring folk musician Gordon Tyrral and poet Brian Wake. Come along and share a poem or a song in the open mic, or sit back and enjoy. £5.
  • Monday, June 24 – Ruth Elliott-Smith with Kelly Cowley and K.C. Finn at Abda. Three local writers share their journeys to publication. Cuddington-based Ruth is a former journalist who penned an adventure thriller and has a second out this month. Kelly and K.C. Finn are founders of Odd Voice out – an independent literary press in Chester launched last year. £5
  • Wednesday, June 26 – Angela Clarke at Davenham Theatre. Sunday Times bestseller with countless commendations. Since appearing as a guest at a previous LitFest, Angela has shot to success and is remembered as an excellent speaker. On My Life tells the story of a pregnant woman suddenly framed for murder. £5
  • Saturday, June 29 – Richard Strange at Davenham Theatre. ‘An Accent Waiting to Happen’ is a collection of songs, stories, clips, anecdotes and readings from his critically-acclaimed memoir – plus scurrilous gossip from his 40 years in the industry. A man of many talents, Richard fronted The Doctors of Madness and appeared in Batman and Harry Potter. He is a regular stage performer, and writer for a range of publications. £10