Celebrating cricket and literature’s unique relationship, Words and Wickets, the first ever cricket literary festival, is being held at Wormsley Cricket Ground on Saturday September 7, 2013. Sponsored by EFG Private Bank and in support of Chance to Shine and First Story, it should be a great day for lovers of cricket and cricket writing.
The gates open at 11am and the action starts at 11:30am with a match between the Authors XI and the Actors XI. The sides will feature the likes of Damian Lewis, Sebastian Faulks, Sam Mendes and Tom Ward, with live commentary from broadcaster Dan Norcross and historian Tom Holland.
As the game unfolds, there will be a series of events in the main marquee, with panelists including Jonathan Wilson, George Dobell and Greg Matthews discussing cricket and literature and the Ashes. There will also be an hour of cricket and comedy from cricket obsessives Andy Zaltzman and Mark Steel.
Meanwhile, Word Theatre will present the best of cricket writing brought to life by an internationally-renowned cast of actors reading pieces from such titles as The Nightwatchman (Wisden’s new cricket quarterly), the Authors XI book, and Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland. The stunning Getty Library will also be open to visitors over the course of the day and there will be nets for kids, and arts and crafts in a ‘stay and play’ tent for children of all ages.
The festival ends at 6:45pm and tickets are just £15, including a £10 food and drink voucher. Entry for under 16s is free of charge.
For more details and to buy tickets, visit http://www.theticketfactory.com.
Literary Lunch with John O’Farrell