Highlights from Winter Wordfest 2009
The ADC Theatre bar buzzed on November 29th as inspired festival goers enjoyed a few of the best things in life: whisky, chocolate and intelligent discussion!
Highlights included Anthony Giddens' challenging call for a bipartisan political approach to tackling climate change; Ruth Rogers using her mobile onstage to 'phone a friend' and bring us the combined expertise of the River Cafe duo; the witty banter of Roy Hattersley and John O'Farrell; Margaret Drabble's erudition; the stories Penelope Lively told about letters from her fans (particularly the child who asked her to tea - but his mother said it had to be a Thursday); and our first Wordfest Theatre event featuring a scintillating and subversive performance of Büchner's Woyzeck from Splendid Productions.
The weather outside may have been damp and cold, but inside festival goers were warmed by free samples from sponsors Highland Park and Chocolat, Chocolat. Many people chose to make the Winter Festival a source for Christmas giving, with signed copies of Ruth Rogers' new River Café Cookbook a particularly popular choice. And a record number of people signed up themselves or their friends for our Friends' scheme - for just £20 they will receive a wide range of benefits including a generous 20% discount for the full membership year from Pizza Express! It's not too late to join!
Next Winter Wordfest: 28 November 2010
