Banbury's LitLive offers free attractions for all

Banbury Literary Live is celebrating its move to a new venue by making all its daytime events free, with eye-catching entertainment lined up across the age range, allowing people to stop all day or drop in and out. It aims to bring the community together and ignite a passion for literature

For the youngest ones that includes Messy Read and Create, Carly’s Little Zoo of Pets – yes, real pets – and creative play with Elly Crowther.

For eight-to-14-year-olds, stand by for action with Marcus Alexander of Keeper of the Realms fame, Renee Watson with Science and Explosions, Jo Cotterill on Electricgirl and more.

The over 14 programme includes Miriam Moss and Girl on a Plane, writing real stuff with Jo Cotterill aka Joanna Kenrick and an interactive workshop from the RSC about A Christmas Carol.

The adults’ line-up has, among others, Banbury’s Gary Green, the former soldier whose book Bombs for Breakfast has had such an impact, a workshop by Tom George on mindfulness and creativity, plus a special sneak preview of new British musical Tess.

This is the finale of the daytime events and will offer songs from the show performed live, before a Q&A with composer Michael Blore and lyricist Michael Davies.

The latter said: “We’re delighted to have been invited to showcase Tess at this great community event.

“Tess is a fully sung-through adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved epic Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Talks are currently under way to stage full productions of the musical later in 2018 and in 2019.”

Literary Live co-organiser Joanne Thorne said: “We are really excited as Tess proves classic fiction can be accessible to everyone in a really ‘live’ and exciting way.”

The event concludes with a ticketed evening show by comedian Jackie Hagan. For full details visit www.literarylive.co.uk