festival of liter ature film & Music Pocket Guide Thursday 24 Sunday 27 September 2015 Featuring Orhan Pamuk Dr Maki Mandela Alfred Brendel Maureen Lipman Alexander Armstrong Sue MacGregor Sir Karl Jenkins Bel Mooney John Suchet Max Mosley Gino D Acampo Paul Gambaccini
Welcome to your pocket guide to the 2015 Blenheim Palace Festival of Literature, Film & Music FESTIVAL TICKETS The festival is a ticketless event. Festival-goers will receive an email confirmation and no physical tickets will be posted to those who have booked. On the door, we will ask for the named holder of the booking and check it against our record. There is no need to bring print-outs of your email. Tickets can be bought as follows: ONLINE Please visit www.blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com Tickets can be booked up to one hour before the event. IN PERSON Feathers Hotel, 16-20 Market Street, Woodstock OX20 1SX. TELEPHONE The Feathers will operate a daily telephone box office on 01993 812291 between 11am and 2.30pm FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE A walk-up box office at Blenheim Palace will be open throughout the festival. Festival box office opening hours are Thursday, September 24, 10.30am-6pm Friday, September 25, 10am-6pm Saturday, September 26, 10am-4.30pm Sunday, September 27, 9.30am-5pm Immediately before events: Bookings can be made online or from the festival box office up to one hour before each event. Any remaining places will be sold on the door. Tickets for Festival events on all four days, at the Palace, include free entry to the park and gardens on the day of the ticket (price normally 13.80). STOP PRESS Check www.blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com for new events in the coming weeks FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER Special Guest talks to Peter Hennessy The Inaugural Duke of Gloucester Lecture 2.15pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Peter Hennessy One of Britain s most prominent politicians talks to contemporary historian and broadcaster Lord Peter Hennessy about his life, career and influences. This event will be introduced by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Royal Patron of The Festival. Cover photo by kind permission of Blenheim Palace
THURSDAY 24th SEPTEMBER Maki Mandela talks to John Battersby Mandela: Life Legacy and Art 12 noon / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Dr Maki Mandela, the eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, talks to leading South African journalist John Battersby about her father's life and legacy and about the works of art that he created in later life. James Russell Introduced by Steven Parissien The Compton Verney Lecture: Ravilious The Watercolours 12 noon / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 James Russell Writer and curator James Russell introduces his new and definitive guide to one of the finest painters of the 20th century Eric Ravilious. Jonathan Fenby The Revolution to Charlie Hebdo: A History of Modern France 2pm / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Journalist and author Jonathan Fenby explains 200 years of tumultuous events that make France both proud of its past and a prisoner of its history. Dan Jones talks to Paul Blezard Magna Carta The Making and Legacy of the Great Charter 2pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Bestselling historian, journalist and broadcaster Dr Dan Jones brings to life the Magna Carta on the 800th anniversary of its signing in 1215. Dan Jones
THURSDAY 24th SEPTEMBER Beth Powning Michael Crummy Serge Patrice Thibodeau Beth Powning, Michael Crummy, Serge Patrice Thibodeau and Sue Goyette History and Place in Atlantic Canada 4pm / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Sue Goyette Canada s Frye Festival brings four leading writers from Canada's Atlantic coastline to discuss the history culture and landscape of the region they describe in their novels, poetry and travelogues. Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and other guests What is Englishness? 4pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Journalist and commentator Yasmin Alibhai- Brown is joined by other panellists to consider the question of Englishness. What is it? And can we create a new national consensus on Englishness based on shared values from different traditions. Orhan Pamuk talks to Boyd Tonkin A Strangeness in my Mind 6pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Nobel-prize-winning Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk talks to The Independent journalist and chair of judges for the 2016 Booker International Prize Boyd Tonkin about his new and ninth novel A Strangeness in My Mind an unforgettable love story and a modern epic.
FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER Asfa-Wossen Asserate King of Kings: The Triumph and Tragedy of Haile Selassie of Ethiopia 10.30am / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate talks about his colourful new biography of the life of his greatuncle Emperor Haile Selassie. Jonathan Fenby and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. Chaired by Gwenan Edwards Breaking News: A Review of Today's Newspapers 10.30am / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Well-known journalists Jonathan Fenby and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown review the day's newspapers with BBC presenter Gwenan Edwards. Dermot Turing and Gordon Corera From Turing to Today: The Changing Face of the Spy in the Internet Age 12 noon / Blenheim Palace: Indian Room / 12 Alan Turing s nephew Sir John Dermot Turing and security correspondent for BBC news Gordon Corera look at Turing the man and his genius in breaking the Nazi codes in World War II and at how his legacy and the Internet age have bred a new kind of spy. Ann Treneman and Peter Brookes Pencils Sharpened: The Satirists' Take on Recent Politics 12 noon / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Ann Treneman The Times writer Ann Treneman and cartoonist Peter Brookes explore the subversive power of political satire with a serious eye and a healthy dose of humour. Paul Gambaccini talks to Daniel Finkelstein My Year under the Yewtree 4pm / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Paul Gambaccini One of Britain s best-known and most respected DJs and radio presenters Paul Gambaccini gives Lord Daniel Finkelstein a no-holds-barred account of the year he spent under a cloud of suspicion before being told he would not face historic sex assault charges.
FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER Andrew Lambert The Gibraltar Lecture: The Royal Navy and Gibraltar in World War II 4pm / Blenheim Palace: The Indian Room / 12 Naval historian Professor Andrew Lambert marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II with a look at the part played by Gibraltar. John Suchet talks to Gwenan Edwards The Last Waltz: The Story of the Strauss Dynasty 5.45pm / Blenheim Palace: The Gallery / 12 Former television journalist-turned Classic FM presenter John Suchet explains how the Strauss family took Europe by storm in the 19th century. Hugh Purcell talks to Sue MacGregor A Very Private Celebrity: The Nine Lives of John Freeman 5.45pm / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Journalist, biographer and former television producer Hugh Purcell talks to radio presenter Sue MacGregor about the polymath and forensic television interviewer John Freeman who believed in changing his life and his wife every ten years. Patrick Gale A Place Called Winter 6pm / St Mary Magdalene Church / 12 Novelist Patrick Gale talks about his new and poignant historical novel of love, relationships, secrets and escape A Place Called Winter a The Sunday Times bestseller and a pick for the BBC Radio 2 Simon Mayo Book Club. Festival Black Tie Dinner Speaker to be confirmed Sponsored by 7.30pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 150 The traditional festival dinner takes place in the magnificent Orangery of Blenheim Palace.
SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER Alexander Armstrong ITV Preview Screening: Land of the Midnight Sun 11am / Blenheim Palace: Gallery / 12 Actor, comedian and game show host Alexander Armstrong discusses his new three-part ITV documentary and book, Land of the Midnight Sun recounting his epic 8,000-mile journey around the Arctic and introduces preview clips from the three episodes before they are premiered on ITV. Alfred Brendel talks to Gina Thomas Music Sense and Nonsense 12 noon / St Mary Magdalene Church / 12 One of the world's greatest living pianists Alfred Brendel reflects on music and his work in conversation with journalist Gina Thomas. Gino D Acampo ITV Preview Screening 2pm / Blenheim Palace: Gallery / 12 Celebrity chef Gino D Acampo introduces some clips from his upcoming new television series and talks food and Italy with the head of Oxford Gastronomica Donald Sloan. Martin Jennings, Jamie Muir and Ed Taylor Chaired by Paul Blezard ITV Preview Screening: In the Shadow of Mary Seacole 4.30pm / Blenheim Palace: Gallery / 12 Watch some preview clips of a new ITV documentary film about the creation of Britain's first statue of a named black woman in Britain Crimean War heroine, Mary Seacole and hear discussion between the sculptor Martin Jennings, film director Jamie Muir and executive producer Ed Taylor. Karl Jenkins talks to Gwenan Edwards Still With the Music 6pm / St Mary Magdalene Church / 12 Leading contemporary composer and musician Sir Karl Jenkins talks about his life and the creative process that has given him a huge international following. He is one of the world's most-performed living composers. Well-known works include Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and Requiem.
SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER Two Earnest: A Reworking of Oscar Wilde 10am / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 Oscar Wilde's classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest is forcibly rewired for one table, two actors and three hats in a gender-flexing assault on Victorian family values. Sonia Purnell First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill 10.30am / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Biographer Sonia Purnell explains why Blenheim Palace-born Sir Winston Churchill said his leadership in World War II would have been impossible without his wife Clementine beside him. Festival service (Preacher to be confirmed) 11am / St Mary Magdalene Church / Free Bel Mooney talks to Ernie Rea Bel Mooney s Lifelines: Words to Help You Through 12 noon / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 One of Britain's best-known writers Bel Mooney offers some advice on getting through the tough times we all face at some point in our lives. Max Mosley Formula One and Beyond 12.30pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 12 One of the most influential figures in Formula One history and a formidable campaigner for the right to privacy Max Mosley talks about his compelling and controversial new memoir. Madeleine Shaw Get the Glow: Recipes to Nourish you from the Inside Out 2pm / Blenheim Palace: Indian Room / 12 Nutritional health coach Madeleine Shaw shows how eating well can become a way of life and make you healthier and happier.
SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER Michael Billington talks to Paul Blezard The 101 Greatest Plays: From Antiquity to the Present The University of Worcester Lecture 2pm / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Renowned theatre critic Michael Billington explains to author and journalist Paul Blezard how he chose the 101 greatest plays written from the time of the Greeks to the present day and why they made his final list. Actors Michael Simkins and Amy Enticknap will read excerpts from selected plays. Andrew Gant talks to Adrian Daffern O Sing Unto the Lord: A History of English Church Music 3pm / St Mary Magdalene Church / 12 Composer, choirmaster, teacher and writer Andrew Gant talks to Canon Adrian Daffern about his new account of English church music from its Anglo-Saxon origins to the present day. With the choir of Jesus College, Oxford. Daphne Selfe The Way We Wore: A Life in Clothes 4pm / Blenheim Palace: The Marlborough Room / 12 Britain's oldest supermodel Daphne Selfe talks to journalist Lucia van der Post about her extraordinary life from being a young model in post-war Britain to still being in demand today in her late eighties. Douglas Hurd Queen Elizabeth II: The Steadfast 4pm / Blenheim Palace: The Indian Room / 12 Former Foreign Secretary Lord Douglas Hurd looks at the life and role of Britain's reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II and the way she has adapted to changing times over her 60-year reign. Maureen Lipman, Jeremy Robson, Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood New Blues in the Park 5pm / Blenheim Palace: The Orangery / 15-20 Maureen Lipman Actress Maureen Lipman, poet Jeremy Robson, and acclaimed jazz singer Jacqui Dankworth return by popular request to Blenheim for more poetry, wit and music following their hugely successful concert last year. For this special event Dankworth will be joined by her husband, the acclaimed pianistvocalist Charlie Wood, saxophonist Julian Siegel and bassist Oli Hayhurst paying tribute to jazz divas. This event lasts two hours including a 30-minute drinks interval. Jacqui Dankworth
Festival Patrons, Sponsors and Partners Sponsors Global Banking Partner Broadcast Television Partner Festival London Hotel Partner Regional Media Sponsor Partners Sponsor of the Festival green room Festival Hotel Regional Magazine Partner Patron Donors Ian and Carol Sellars Eileen and Munir Majid
Associates City Audio Visual La Galleria Restaurant The Marlborough School St Mary Magdalene Church Save the Children Bookshop Wake up to Woodstock Woodstock Bookshop For information on sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 Festival (Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th September), please contact Tony Byrne at tb@anthonybyrne.com or on 07801 287510 Festival Bookseller The festival on-site bookseller is Blenheim Palace Retail who provide speakers books at festival venues. Festival Online Bookseller festival of liter ature film & Music This pocket guide was correct at the time of going to press. Events are sometimes subject to change, and a few more events may be added to the programme. For all the latest details, check our website at www.blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com Enquiries Tel 07444 318986 Email info@blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com
FESTIVAL VENUES 4 6 Courtyard 3 2 5 1 Café and shop Entrance 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Orangery Campaign Rooms Marlborough Room The Indian Room Spencer Churchill Room The Gallery Festival venues Blenheim Palace MANOR ROAD To Chipping Norton P 3 1 PARK STREET 1 The Bear Hotel 4 MARKET STREET OXFORD STREET 2 The Woodstock Bookshop HENSINGTON ROAD HIGH STREET To Oxford 1 Blenheim Palace Pedestrian Access Park Street 2 Blenheim Palace Vehicular Access Oxford Road Festival venues Woodstock OXFORD ROAD P 2 1 St Mary Magdalene Church 2 The Feathers Hotel Marlborough School, Shipton Road La Galleria Restaurant 3 4 Box office: 01993 812291 (11am 2.30pm) www.blenheimpalaceliteraryfestival.com