The line-up for this year's Idler Festival has been finalised with The Crown star Dominic West and author Charlie Higson joining the already announced Zadie Smith and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
Comics Tim Key and Rosie Holt will also appear at the "joyful and thought-provoking" arts festival at Fenton House, Hampstead.
Tickets are now on sale for the festival which runs in the orchard, terraces lawns and rooms of the 17th century National Trust property over a summer weekend of talks, workshops, comedy, music and philosophy.
Star of The Affair, The Wire and The Crown, Dominic West will appear just as his latest role, Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, transfers to the West End.
Comedy writer and Fast Show star, Higson is the author of the Young Bond series and will be in conversation about the politics of James Bond and what 007 means in the 21st century.
Actor, writer, NonCensored podcaster and social media MP skewerer Rosie Holt joins the line-up on the back of her new live tour, That’s Politainment!
Running 5-7 July, Fenton House will be a hive of half-paced activity, in keeping with a festival where ticketholders are invited to do as much or as little as they please.
Activities include beekeeping, agony aunts, dancing, bibliotherapy and walks, with loafing about under an apple tree very much encouraged.
Ticketholders can learn Latin, calligraphy, songwriting or the ukele, take a literary ramble around Hampstead with writer Henry Eliot or a stroll across the Heath with Emily's Walking Book Club.
Among other highlights, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, will be talking about The Seven Deadly Sins; north London novelist Zadie Smith will discuss her first historical novel, The Fraud, and comedian and actor Tim Key will celebrate the publication of his new poetry anthology, Chapters.
Manchester DJ Paulette will share the highs, lows and lessons of a 30 year music career; beloved comic writer Nina Stibbe will talk about friendship, failures and finding a fresh start in her sixties; comic and playwright Arthur Smith intends to reveal “the true story behind Fenton House - a tale of murder, mayhem and lasagne” while BBC Radio 3 presenter Georgia Mann will DJ in the orchard.
Add in astronomy and extraterrestrial discoveries with Chris Lintott, playwright Michael Frayn in conversation with his daughter, documentary maker Rebecca Frayn; and culture writer Neef Ekpoudom telling the story of British Rap or Daniel Rachel celebrating the rebellious spirit of 2 Tone Records and there's something to please everyone.
Festival Director Victoria Hull, said, “Our line-up is now crammed with treats. For a weekend in July, Fenton House will be full of people with fascinating stories to tell, insights to share and skills to pass on. Step into the Festival and there’s every chance you’ll learn about life as Archbishop of Canterbury and as a member of Alan Partridge’s entourage. We can’t wait for our favourite weekend of the year.”
The Idler Festival runs 5-7 July 2024 at Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, Hampstead. Weekend Tickets - £135; Day Tickets released in June - £60.
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