Marlborough LitFest 2024 attracts famous faces to town

Marlborough LitFest returned from September 26 to 29 in celebration of its 15th year, and the packed week of author talks was every book lover's dream.

Run entirely by volunteers with multiple sponsors including lead sponsor Hiscox, the festival included a mixture of first-time authors, world-class experts and award-winning actors.

Celebrations kicked off with 60 children from Marlborough St Mary’s singing on the steps of the Town Hall, who launched the 40+ event festival.

Audiences came from across the UK to see bestselling novelists such as Kate Mosse, best known for her novel Labryinth and the Burning Chambers series, and actress Celia Imrie who has starred in Nanny McPhee and the Bridget Jones film series.

Award-winning actress Celia Imrie in her sold-out talk about her new book (Image: Ben Phillips) Sports journalist Sam Peters and former Welsh international rugby player Alix Popham debated the ‘uncomfortable truth’ of the toll that sports can take on players’ health, while debut novelists, crime writers and non-fiction authors speaking to crowds on topics ranging from the potential of AI to African history.

Children enjoyed treasure hunt trails, storytelling at The Parade Cinema and a visit from famous children's authors.

Other popular events included creative writing in Savernake Forest, 'Poetry in the Pub' at The Green Dragon and a 'plotting a story' workshop with crime writer Simon Mason.

Children's authors Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve take over the Mayor's chair (Image: Ben Phillips) "We’ve had a fabulous response to the range of writers we’ve brought to Marlborough this year with lots of sell-out sessions and people saying they were spoilt for choice," said Genevieve Clarke, chair of LitFest.

The festival culminated in a highly-anticipated talk with acting legend Sir Simon Russell Beale who has been described by The Independent as "the greatest stage actor of his generation".

Being interviewed by leading expert in Shakespearean studies, Professor Emma Smith of Oxford University, the event was so popular it had to be moved to a bigger venue at Marlborough College's historic Memorial Hall.

Acting legend Sir Simon Russell Beale, interviewed by Professor Emma Smith (Image: Ben Phillips) Sir Simon Russell Beale discussed his long career playing Shakespeare characters to an audience so captivated you could hear a pin drop.

After six years in the role of chair, Genevieve will now step down and hand the role over to journalist and local farmer Mary-Vere Parr.

She said: "I’ve loved being at the heart of LitFest but it’s now time for a new pair of hands at the helm.

"Mary-Vere has all the right skills, energy and expertise to take LitFest into an even brighter future."

Marlborough LitFest will return in 2025 from September 25 to 28.