Alexander Waugh launching the Cheltenham Big Read

While heavy bursts of rain were soaking the streets of Cheltenham, representatives of Penguin Modern Classics, The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival and the Gloucestershire Libraries all gathered in Waterstone's Cheltenham to launch the Big Read project, which this year is centred around the much-loved classic Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh.

The project, which promises to be the biggest one that the Festival has ever undertaken yet, was welcomed by Evelyn Waugh’s grandson Alexander Waugh, who will join the Festival to discuss the enduring popularity of the novel and its adaptation for the screen.

Alexander Waugh says that he feels more driven about his second event at the Literature Festival, in which he will present his own recently published book The House of Wittgenstein, but at the same time he is very proud of who his grandfather was and is looking forward to the rediscovery of the book:

"It is an amazing achievement to be writing serious novels, and sixty years later the whole of the county of Gloucestershire is engaged in reading his book. That is an amazing thing to have done, and only a nasty spoiled stinker would sit around saying: 'that’s unfair, he’s overshadowing me'. You have to say, 'I’m very proud of his achievement', and I am."

Find out more about the Literature Festival's Big Read project.

05-09-2008

A very literary London launch

The great and the good of the UK's Literature scene descended upon Wellcome Collection in London last night to launch The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2008.

The Festival reported record early sales with over 60,000 tickets sold so far, showing an increase of 25,000 tickets on the same period for 2007. This is a sensational start to the Festival season which promises the biggest, most diverse festival programme yet.

Festival supporters, publicists and, of course, authors such as children’s writer and illustrator Shirley Hughes, broadcaster and author Edward Stourton, historian David Starkey (pictured) and many others rubbed shoulders as all enjoyed the interactive exhibits and stylish setting of Wellcome Collection in central London.

Chairman of the Festival James Heneage, Alex O'Connell, Executive Editor of The Times and Festival Executive Director Clair Greenaway all welcomed the new programme with speeches and celebration.

Clair Greenaway is thrilled with the success of the programme so far:

"We're delighted with the amazing response the 2008 programme has received, and look forward to welcoming our largest ever audience to Cheltenham this year."

03-09-2008

Annual Review 2007

Cheltenham Festivals Annual Review 2007 is now available to view online or download. Visit our about us page for full details.

26-08-2008

A ten day celebration of the written word...

With its signature blend of award winning writers, world-renowned thinkers and international star names The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is a hotbed of debate and discussion with a unique regency style. In this year’s literary line-up Man Booker Prize winners rub shoulders with the finest classically trained actors, whilst top class comedians appear alongside leading political figures. With more than 450 writers and over 350 events this promises to be an exhilarating ten day celebration of the written word.

30-07-2008

Cheltenham Music Festival success!

This year's Cheltenham Music Festival was a critical and box office success selling over 15,500 tickets and attracting more bookers than ever before.

"I was really delighted with the way my first festival went as director in Cheltenham," says Meurig Bowen.

"Having managed to attend almost everything in the 16 day programme - that's nearly 150 hours of concert-going in a fortnight! - I was struck by how fantastically enthusiastic and attentive our audiences are, and by the sheer number of incredibly moving, exciting, inspired performances we were all treated to. There was humour and profundity, a sense of shared musical exploration, and a sense of enjoyment and buzz. Racing on the last night from a Pump Room performance of premieres and thematic interconnection to the Town Hall, where hundreds revelled in the thrilling musical antics of Romanian gypsies Taraf de Haidouks, powerfully highlighted for me the depth and breadth of this year's Music Festival.

I'm really looking forward, after a summer break, to finalising the plans for the July 2009 programme, and making sure it delivers just as much as this year's, and more."

And Chief Executive Donna Renney is simply thrilled with Meurig's success;

"I am delighted with the success of Meurig Bowen's first festival as director. The quality and new work has been as inspiring as ever, and we have taken major steps in attracting new audiences which has been very well received. With superb concerts from performers as far afield as Venezuela, Estonia and Romania, the festival has continued to secure Cheltenham's international status as a crucible of culture."

29-07-2008

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies talks in The Telegraph

Adam Sweeting talks to musician Sir Peter Maxwell Davies about the Cheltenham Festival...
Read the article online at telegraph.co.uk (published Thursday 4 July 2008)

04-07-2008