This year newspaper columnist, author and quiz master Simon Hoggart is one of the stars, and he’s joined by Joseph Delaney, author of children’s Spooks books, Julia Churchill, London based publisher of children’s literature, and Tim Quinn, Editor of Marvel Comics (USA) Beano and Dandy, who will lead a cartoon workshop.
Steven McLaughlin will run a workshop on autobiographical writing, based on his book Squaddie, a stark description of the life of a modern-day soldier, and Ashley Hutchings, founder member of Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span will premier some of his own original music and poetry at Wigan Parish Church with Ken Nicol.
You can go Hunting the Giant’s Daughter with Adverse Camber, explore the Leigh and Wigan archives at Leigh Library with Alex Miller, meet well-known poet Luke Wright, and delve into the mysteries of American and Canadian Poetry with Paul Sutherland.
Then there’s Indian dancing and story-telling with the Anapurna Dance Company and a chance to learn the art of script-writing with Wigan’s own Martin Green.
Michael Hunt, chair of the Arts Council sponsored Words Festival ’10, said: “There’s a fantastic variety on offer this year and at the risk of sounding clichéd, there really is something for everyone. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in just a few years – this is now the borough’s premier cultural event.”
It’s back… and it’s bigger and better than ever.
For more information contact Gillian Forrester on 01942 828227.
MONDAY 5 – SATURDAY 17 APRIL
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS
Information on all events at Festival Fever (external link). Tickets from the Tourist Information Centre, 01942 825677 except where otherwise stated.
Tue 6 Apr, 2pm - 4pm
JULIA CHURCHILL - CHILDREN’S PUBLISHER
Wigan Cricket Club.
Talk about the children’s book business. If you have aspirations to be a writer then this is the session for you. £5
Wed 7 Apr, 10am - 3pm
THE SECRET WORLD OF A DIARY
Leigh Town Hall
Workshop at the Wigan Archives service exploring the past through personal diaries, journals and letter collections. 01942 404430
Thu 8 Apr, 8pm
KENNETH STEVEN WITH MATT TURNER
The Orwell, Wigan Pier
Award-winning BBC Radio poet and acclaimed singer songwriter get together. £3 on the door.
Fri 9 Apr, 7:30pm
SIMON HOGGART
The Atrium, Wigan Town Hall.
An evening with Potty Politicians, Loony Letters and Wonderful Wines. Wry hilarious readings from this best selling commentator and quizmaster. £12.
Sun 11 April 7.30pm
TONY WALSH AND TERRY CAFFREY
The Orwell, Wigan Pier
Poet with a growing international reputation joins north west’s reading author champion for a fantastic night. £3 on the door.
Mon 12 Apr, 10am - 4pm
STEVE MCLAUGHLIN
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
Talk and writing workshop with the author of Squaddie: A Soldier’s Story. Free.
Mon 12 Apr, 7:30pm
STORYTELLING OF ‘HUNTING THE GIANTS DAUGHTER’
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
Renowned storyteller Michael Harvey weaves Welsh poetry and jazz into an imaginative telling of the tale. £5.
Teenage kicks: Luke Wright
Tue 13 Apr, 7:30pm
THE PETTY CONCERNS OF LUKE WRIGHT
Ashton Library.
Awful teenage lyrics, sarcastic cricket commentators and the death of a very tight pair of jeans from one of the nation’s best loved poets. £7.
Wed 14 Apr, 2pm
COLIN PINNEY
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
Shakespearean actor Colin Pinney as the Reverend Patrick Bronte reveals the story of his errant son and famous sisters. £5.
Wed 14 Apr, 8pm
ASHLEY HUTCHINGS AND KEN NICOL
Wigan Parish Church.
Word based performance exploring poetry, prose and lyric. 01942 824291. £10 in advance, £12 on the door.
Thu 15 Apr, 1pm - 3pm
TIM QUINN OF MARVEL COMICS - CARTOON WORKSHOP
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
Tim Quinn, writer and former editor of Marvel Comics’ Spiderman and X-men is conducting a cartoon workshop. £4.
Make mine Marvel: Tim Quinn.
Thu 15 Apr, 7:30pm
AN AUDIENCE WITH TIM QUINN OF MARVEL COMICS
The Wheatsheaf Suite, The Beeches, Standish.
Starting out as a ring boy at Blackpool Tower Circus, Tim will chat about his career in script writing, comics and comedy. £7 (combined ticket price £9).
Friday 16 April
JOSEPH DELANEY
Turnpike Centre, Leigh
Author of blood-chilling children’s Spooks books.
Fri 16 Apr, 2pm
AUTHOR KEN BARLOW
Atherton Library.
Based on a diary kept at the time, ‘Mild & Bitter’ bears witness to the author’s desperate stumblings through the trials and tribulations of adolescence in Wigan, 1970. Free.
Sat 17 Apr
VIBRANT NEW WRITING
Spencer Road Methodist Church.
Evening of varied and often challenging short plays by young people. £3 on the door.
Sat 17 Apr, 10am - 12pm
NETWORKING EVENT
Derby Room, The Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
A chance to meet local and national writers and publishers and receive up-to-date information on all aspects of publishing. Free.
