There are so many literary festivals springing up all over London that it came as a bit of a surprise to realise there wasn't one in the heart of the capital's media scene. Luckily, that's being rectified this weekend with the first Soho Literary Festival, organised by The Oldie.
The guests are magnificently impressive, including Booker winner Howard Jacobson, Michael Morpurgo, Melvyn Bragg, Judith Kerr, Maureen Lipman, Virginia Ironside, Diana Athill, PD James, Ruth Rendell and AN Wilson. From the 'not quite grandees, but still very interesting' box we note Kates Summerscale (The Suspicions of Mr Whicher) and Colquhoun (Mr Briggs' Hat), Alexander Masters (Stuart: A Life Backwards), journalist Bryan Appleyard, Craig Brown, Sam Leith, the Polari Literary Salon, a quiz from Marcus Berkmann and a session from Private Eye.
There are also appearances from the not-so-literary, like comedian Rich Fulcher and filmmakers Ken Loach and Molly Dineen, panels on the economy and phone hacking, plus workshops and advice sessions. Tickets for virtually everything are priced at just £8, and it's all happening at the Soho Theatre.
The Soho Literary Festival runs Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th September, at the Soho Theatre, Dean Street. See the website for more details including times and booking. Londonist will be attending a couple of these events on press tickets.
