ORGANISERS of this year’s Henley Literary Festival have said it was a record-breaking succcess — and are already planning for next year.
More than 8,000 tickets were sold — more than double last year’s total — as crowds flocked to see famous authors and TV personalities, including Irvine Welsh, Jeremy Paxman, Gyles Brandreth, James Cracknell, Ben Fogle and Carol Thatcher.
A total of more than 70 different talks took place over five days from Thursday last week at venues including the Kenton Theatre, Phyllis Court Club and the town hall.
Director Sue Ryan Ms Ryan said: "The festival has been incredibly successful and it is only our third year. We have become so big so quickly that we now have to sit down and start thinking about next year."
She believes the highlight was the opening event at the Kenton in which actor Joss Ackland took the lead role in Turville And Tuscany, Champagne and Chianti, a tribute to the late Sir John Mortimer, who lived at Turville. Sir John died in January and made of his last public appearances at last year’s festival.
The work was sourced from his works by scriptwriter Giles Cole.
Ms Ryan said: "It was one of the best performances I have seen. Most of Sir John’s family were sitting behind me and, at one point, they were all in tears. It was very touching. It was also beautiful because it was performed in John’s own words. It was a fine tribute from Henley to a resident of Henley."
Published on 07 October 2009
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