EXPERIENCE THE WORLD AS IT SHOULD BE - Festival Programme 2021 30 July - 1 August - Primadonna ...
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EXPERIENCE THE WORLD
AS IT SHOULD BE
Festival Programme 2021
30 July – 1 August
the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk
1
INTRODUCING
CONTENTS
Introduction 3
For Writers 4 PRIMADONNA & THE PRIMADONNAS
For the Curious 7
For Fun! 12 The Festival The Founders
For Kids 16 Welcome to Primadonna, the UK’s most Primadonna was founded and is run by 17
empowering new festival, set up to spotlight the women from across the worlds of publishing,
artistry of women and non-binary people, as well entertainment and the arts. Us ‘Primadonnas’
Event Programme as creatives of all genders, ethnicities and economic wanted to create a festival of brilliant writing, borne
status whose voices are not often enough heard. out of a desire to give prominence to work by
Friday 18 We focus on writing and reading but we also women and spotlight authors from the margins.
showcase the best of the arts, from music to film, We also want you to have a lot of fun: the festival
Saturday 20 theatre to comedy. has always been designed to be a thoroughly
We call it ‘the world as it should be, for one joyous as well as inclusive and accessible
weekend’. experience.
Sunday 22 We programme a mix of big names and emerging
But you know all that: you’re here. And we hope
you’ll agree we’ve put on a programme of amazing talent, as one of the things we’re trying to do is
Speakers’ Info 24 speakers, brilliant events and unique experiences. open up the publishing industry and arts/culture
more generally to new voices, and new ideas.
You’ve all earned a weekend of wonders, and
All ideas, and all kinds of people, are welcome
Marketplace 36 happiness, and inspiration: here it is.
here: most especially those that might not think a
literary festival is ‘for them’.
Map 38 We hope you’ll think this one is for you. Enjoy your
weekend. Let us know what you like. And come
Thank You 39 back next year as we continue to create ‘the world
as it should be, for one weekend’.
Primadonna Festival is
proud to have a team of
BSL interpreters at this
year’s event, providing a free
service for Deaf attendees.
Look out for this symbol in
the programme. An additional limited
interpreting service may be available
upon request. If you would like to
be in contact with the interpreters Amie Corry Athena Stevens Catherine Catherine Riley Cathryn Jane Dyball
during the event, please contact Mayer Summerhayes
primadonnafestival.access@gmail.com.
Speakers will be signing books at our
on-site Waterstones bookshop 15
minutes after their sessions. Head to
Home Close to see them there and get
your signed copies. Joanna Baker Jude Kelly Kit de Waal Lisa Milton Monisha Rajesh Sabeena
Akhtar
Sandi Toksvig Shola Mos- Shona Sioned William Sonia Purnell
Shogbamimu Abhyankar
3
2
Better Suffolk for the last eight years and will be bringing
FOR Together
Saturday
that community vibe to Primadonna. Try out your
ideas or work on new material in this inclusive
space for poets of all kinds — Justine will even read
11am–12pm • your work for you if you’d prefer. You can also put
WRITERS
Main Stage yourself forward to perform on the main stage as
In a world part of Sunday’s Rhyme and Shine event.
where we
are often Big Ambition
encouraged 4 BROWN GIRL
S WHO WRITE Saturday 6pm • Main Stage
to progress Here in a no-holds-barred confessional
as individuals conversation covering the highs and lows of their
and compete against each other, we discuss careers, Helen Lederer — a familiar face through
how a shared experience and collaboration can roles in Naked Video and Absolutely Fabulous,
create a more open society, and help to break and Lisa Milton, Executive Publisher for HQ and
down structural inequality and the challenges Mills & Boon, and co-founder of the Primadonna
faced as an individual. Join our panel featuring
Hopeless Romantics? author and activist Sophie Williams, whose most
festival — look back at where their ambition has
Friday 4pm • Marquee taken them, what has held them back, and the
recent publication Millennial Black includes opportunities they’ve been able to give others in
Romantic fiction reaches parts of the population Magma examines the concept of a advice on building your own lady gang, along
other books simply don’t. From being swept off reliable narrator in the context of a their respective industries. These two indomitable
with two members of the performance and women have overseen the establishment of
your feet with Mills and Boon to the restorative love story, Pragya Agarwal, author poetry collective 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE
power of a historical romance, there’s nothing writing prizes — the Comedy Women in Print prize
of (M)otherhood: On the choices of — Sunnah Khan and Sharan Hunjan — as they
quite like lying back with a good book and taking (CWIP) and the Primadonna Prize respectively
being a woman,, a hybrid memoir share their stories and discuss the benefits of
yourself somewhere… private. Why do we fall so — so we’ll also hear from two of the writers whose
and scientific analysis of women’s collaboration and community for everyone. lives they’ve changed: Abigail Mann, whose
hard for the romantic novel? Get straight to the fertility and author and publisher Chaired by publicist and Primadonna co-
heart of the matter in this discussion on all things debut novel The Lonely Fajita was shortlisted for
Lennie Goodings, Chair of Virago founder Shona Abhyankar. Stick around after the the 2019 CWIP and went on to be published by
swoony. With author and ‘hopeful-but-realistic Press and author of A Bite Of the discussion for a performance by 4 BROWN GIRLS
romantic’ Sareeta Domingo, journalist and Author Lennie HarperCollins in 2021; and Sairish Hussain, whom
Apple: A Life with Writers, Books Goodin WHO WRITE. Lisa met at the Bradford Literature Festival and
of The Wish List Sophia Money-Coutts, and actor gs
and Virago. subsequently signed up for HQ, and whose debut
and author Andi Osho, whose debut novel, Asking Sealing the Deal
For A Friend, was published earlier this year and novel The Family Tree has been Costa shortlisted.
is soon to be followed by her second piece of Storytelling Workshop Saturday 12pm • TWAISB Stage Expect some delicious anecdotes, and a warm
romantic fiction, Tough Crowd. Chairing this love- Friday 7pm • Farm Barn From alternative entry points into publishing to fuzzy feeling that they’re batting in your corner.
in is Lisa Milton, Executive Publisher of HQ Stories A gentle introduction to the ever-evolving tradition getting a foot in the front door, our group of debut
and Mills and Boon. of oral storytelling with professional storyteller authors of all ages and backgrounds share what Screen Test
Justine de Mierre. Everyone is a storyteller, even it takes to become a published author. Chaired Saturday 6pm • TWAISB Stage
if they don’t yet know it, and in this workshop by writer Louise Mumford who was ‘discovered’
Killing It! at the inaugural Primadonna festival and whose
How to write sitcom for radio and TV, with the
Justine will start you on the journey to discovering Female Pilot Club. Writer, producer and script
Friday 5pm • Marquee what a great tale spinner you already are! There’ll debut was published by HQ last year, this must- coach Kay Stonham outlines what Female Pilot
Join some of the UK’s leading crime thriller be games, exercises and practice opportunities — see session also features another Costa First Novel Club look for when they choose work to promote,
authors for a deadly(!) discussion on writing crime, and, if you’re feeling brave, a chance to tell a short nominee Sairish Hussain; Kirsty Capes, who won and discusses how to go about developing a good
creating suspense and keeping your audience tale at Justine’s Family Campfire Storytelling on a scholarship to develop her writing under Curtis comedy premise into a great comedy script.
hooked. If you’re a fan of a noir novel or are looking Saturday night. (Workshop suitable for adults and Brown Creative and whose debut Careless has
for some top tips on creating a killer character, accompanied children age 11+.) been published this year; Jyoti Patel who won
join Saima Mir, whose first crime novel The Khan the second #Merky Books New Writers Prize The Literary Lottery
earlier this year; and Hafsa Zayyan, co-winner of Saturday 7pm • The Chapel
was published at the start of this year, Yoga for Writers with Stella Duffy the inaugural #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize, More than just a glitzy night out on the literary
Karline Smith, author of Moss Side Saturday 8am • TWAISB Stage who wrote her debut novel in six months whilst events calendar, prizes like the Booker,
Massive and one of the UK’s first female Yoga is not about getting the poses working full time as a lawyer. Costa and Women’s Prize guarantee
crime writers to deal with the subject right, writing is not about getting huge uplifts in sales for longlisted and
of drug gangs in inner-city Britain, and the words right, they’re both about shortlisted writers. And if you win,
Kia Abdullah, whose thriller Take It giving it a go. We will connect yoga
Introduction to Improv
you hit the jackpot. But how
Back was selected for an industry-first poses to writing exercises, exploring Saturday 1pm • Farm Barn useful are literary prizes as
audio serialisation by HarperCollins. the physical nature of writing and Co-founder of improv company ‘The Unqualified a method for judging
In the chair is bestselling author Erin how opening up body and breath Yes’ Justine de Mierre will introduce you to the great writing — and
Kelly, whose latest novel Watch Her Fall can support our creativity. This short basics of improv. You’ll learn the joy and creativity who gets to judge
was published in April. She is currently workshop is suitable for all levels of in responding to offers with an unqualified yes anyway? In this free-
Saima Mir
working on her ninth psychological yoga and writing practice, no reading Stella Duffy — in life and in improv! Don’t worry, there’s no ranging discussion we
thriller about bones, buried treasure and family aloud, no judging the yoga. You’ll pressure to be funny — just games and exercises explore the good and the
need a yoga mat, pen and paper to release your imagination and have fun with
secrets.
to write, and your willingness to others. Come play with us! (Suitable for adults and
play. Stella Duffy is an award- accompanied teens age 13+.)
The Politics of Narration winning writer of 17 novels, 70+
Friday 6pm • Marquee short stories and 14 plays. Yoga Poetry Open Mic Drop-In
Join us for this cross-media discussion of genre- has supported her writing Saturday 2:30–4pm • The Chapel
bending books, defying categories and practice for decades and she Come along to our open-to-all session in the
changing the narrative as we consider completed her 200-hour yoga chapel where Justine de Mierre (aka ‘Lady J’) will
the politics of narration — who gets to teacher training in spring 2020, host this very special hour for all-comers, featuring
tell stories and how, and what it means with the aim of offering writing East Coast Poets, a loose collective of Norfolk and
to challenge existing forms. Featuring and yoga for others. Suffolk poets that grew from a series of World
our Icelandic-in-resident writer Thora Story Telling workshops during lockdowns. Justine
Hjörleifsdóttir whose debut novel has been hosting super-friendly open mics across
5
4
bad of the literary prize machinery, and find out
who the big winners have been in this ongoing
literary lottery. With the #Merky Books New
Writers prizewinner Jyoti Patel; Naoise Dolan,
FOR THE
longlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for
CURIOUS
fiction; Hafsa Zayyan, co-winner of the inaugural
#Merky Books New Writers’ Prize; and Catherine
Riley, author of two non-fiction titles focused on
the mechanics of the publishing industry.
The World As It Should Be
(Live Podcast
Recording)
Saturday 8pm •
The Chapel
A special edition of the — and how we can put ourselves safely back on the
Primadonna podcast,
recorded live with Creative Writing Masters Otherhood streets (and paths, rivers and fields). With author
and committed environmentalist Yara Rodrigues
two of the amazing The University of Primadonna • The Chapel Friday 4pm • TWAISB stage Fowler; Josephine Hall from Black Girls Hike whose
authors whose lives If you’ve always fancied sharpening your skills with We all know what a ‘good mother’ is supposed to mission is to ‘diversify the outdoors’; explorer and
have been changed a creative writing masters, but couldn’t afford the look like, juggling kids and work and wellness with entrepreneur Belinda Kirk who captained the first
by the festival: time or the money — this is the course for you! Over lipstick intact. And we’ve all seen images of the all-female rowing team to circumnavigate Britain
here, they reflect the course of the weekend, we bring the lecturers perfect dad, child lifted onto muscular shoulders non-stop, completing the journey in 51 days in 2010;
on changing other to you as world renowned authors and teachers and hands firmly wrapped around his partner. But and Anita Sethi, who set off on foot to reclaim the
people’s lives by designing the world, share the fundamentals in this condensed creative what happens if you don’t fit the profile, and what outdoor spaces near where she grew up, capturing
as it should be, according to them. With very writing masters programme. Enrol at the University does that say about your ability to parent? What the experience in I Belong Here. Chairing the
special guests Eva Verdes and Louise Mumford. of Primadonna, and sign up for eight modules about families that don’t fit the 2.4 mould? In conversation is Primadonna Athena Stevens, a
of teaching from the best in the business, plus a this session we call out the parenthood ideal, and writer, actor, activist and veteran campaigner for
Call My Agents graduation certificate (mortarboard is optional). shout out instead for new models of bringing up better design and access for disabled people.
Sunday 11am • TWAISB Stage baby. With award-winning author and illustrator
On Screenwriting: Three is the Magic Number Laura Dockrill whose first book for adults is titled If you like this... take a nature walk around the site
Ever wondered what it’s like to be an agent? with Stow Stories.
Or how to find the right one for you? Join us Friday 7pm • Sam Hoyle, Netflix What Have I Done?; Sabeena Akhtar, co-founder
as we hear from some of the UK’s leading of Bare Lit Kids, the UK’s first children’s festival
literary agents as they discuss tips and tricks
How to Plot a Novel showcasing the work of writers Why Women Are Poorer than Men:
of the trade, revealing stories of the best (and Friday 8pm • Christy Lefteri of colour; Pragya Agarwal, a A Money Workshop
worst) pitches they’ve ever received. In this behavioural and data scientist Friday 6pm • The Chapel
The Power of Practice and author of (M)otherhood:
lively roundtable discussion, hear advice on Take a candid look at money and learn how to
Saturday 9am • Diane Samuels On the choices of being a manage yours more mindfully. With Annabel
what the aspiring writers out there can do to
get noticed from agents such as Suffolk-based woman; award-winning Williams, author of Why Women Are Poorer Than
Creative Writing Masterclass
Emma Shercliff, who established a publishing journalist Saima Mir whose Men and What We Can Do About It; businesswoman
Saturday 10am • Kit de Waal
house outside of London to encourage wider work appeared in The Best Jo Fairley who set out on her entrepreneurial journey
This session will take place at The World As It Most Awful Job: 20 Essays
representation and accessibility for writers; Abi in 1991 when she co-founded Green & Black’s
Should Be Stage on Motherhood; and Nikesh Chocolate, now approaching a £100 million a year
Fellows, agent at the Good Literary Agency
whose work is focused on supporting under- Literary Journalism Shukla whose most recent brand; Tracey Bleakley who led the successful
represented writers; and Cathryn Summerhayes, work is the memoir Brown campaign to embed financial education in the
Saturday 1pm • Julie Wheelwright Baby: A Memoir Of Race,
Primadonna co-founder and literary agent at national curriculum in 2013; and Jude Kelly, director
Curtis Brown. On Poetry & Getting Over Writer’s Block Laura Dockrill, author of Family and Home which is of the WOW festivals and co-founder of SmartPurse,
Saturday 4pm • Sunnah Khan, 4 BROWN GIRLS What Have I Done? dedicated to his two young a financial platform for women’s financial education
daughters. and wellbeing.
Before the Book WHO WRITE
Sunday 1pm • TWAISB Stage
From post-it note pandemonium to meticulous
What Are You Waiting For / Get On With It Environmental Health Never Mind The Bollocks
Sunday 12pm • Shelley Silas Friday 5pm • TWAISB stage
note-taking and burning the midnight oil, our Friday 7pm
roundtable of seasoned writers share how they Writing Historical Fiction After a year in which we’ve all got back to nature, It’s now 30 years since Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail
plan and piece together their work and share Sunday 2pm • Amanda Hodgkinson, University we explore the connections and disconnects and Kathi Wilcox formed the band
tips to get you started on your writing journey. in our relationship with the natural world, Bikini Kill, and published their first
of Suffolk
With Stella Duffy, an award-winning writer, actor, contrasting it with our situation within urban eponymous zines. The Riot Grrrl
director and playwright, who has published spaces. With architecture and urban planning movement of the 1990s promised
over seventy short stories, fourteen plays and Primadonna Surgeries dominated by men, how do women exist freely women a new place in music, but how
seventeen novels; author Jini Reddy whose Friday 5pm, Saturday 12pm and 5pm, Sunday in spaces that were never designed with them in many women did it bring along with
most recent book Wanderland was shortlisted mind? Why are rural spaces still them… and how long did it
9am • The Chapel
for both the Stanford Dolman Award for Travel inhospitable for people of colour last? We speak
The Primadonnas will be holding four surgeries looking to connect with the great
Book of the Year and for the Wainwright Prize, across the festival weekend, where you can drop to some stars of
and whose journeys become her creative outdoors? And how are disabled the alternative
in and speak with them about whatever’s on your people supposed to navigate
stimulus for writing; and Adam Sharp, obsessive music scene
mind. We’ll post details of who will be in the chapel environments that were never
list-maker and author of The Correct Order of to find out,
and when at the information point near The World designed with them in mind?
Biscuits. In the chair is Kit de Waal, multi-award- including Big
As It Should Be Stage. Come say hi! Sick of being told to tread the Joanie’s Chardine
winning author, Primadonna co-founder and
post-it fan. well lit path, our panel join forces Taylor-Stone,
for a frank conversation on how author of Sold
we can better shape our cities, Out: How Black
towns, villages and open spaces Feminism Lost its
Anita Sethi, author of I Bel 7
6 ong Here
Soul; Debbie Smith, guitarist and bass player with to an Irish mother and a Caribbean father; author Cut from The Same Cloth escape from Idi Amin, and the
Curve, Echobelly, Snowpony and Ye Nuns; Debbie Eva Verde who is of dual heritage and writes about home they left behind; Rosanna
Saturday 11am • TWAISB Stage
Googe, bass player with My Bloody Valentine and identity, class and otherness; and Hafsa Zayyan Amaka, whose debut The Book
Primadonna co-founder and
the Thurston Moore Group, and former member whose debut novel explores the experience of of Echoes follows the lives of two
programmer Sabeena Akhtar
of Snowpony. Chaired by Primadonna Jane Dyball, South Asian migrants expelled from Uganda. In young people in both London and
crowdfunded, edited and contributed
one of the first CEO-level women executives in the chair is journalist and broadcaster Kieran Yates. Nigeria; and Christy Lefteri, author
to this remarkable anthology of writing
the music industry who was recognised for her of the bestselling The Beekeeper
by visibly Muslim women. From
contribution to the songwriting community at the Resistance and Change: The modern pop culture to anti-Blackness,
of Aleppo and herself the child of
Ivors Academy Gold Badge Awards in 2019. Politics of Protest Cypriot refugees who settled in the
faith and family, politics, education,
If you like this, make your own zine with our UK following the Turkish invasion
Friday 8pm • Main Stage creativity and working life, Cut From
special Moxie session on Saturday. of Cyprus. In the chair is award-
Our panel of extraordinary women examine some The Same Cloth creates a space
winning publicist and Primadonna
of the protest movements and moments of the for hijab-wearing women to look
co-founder Shona Abhyankar.
Master Minds: Andi Osho in past 12 months to ask how effective our resistance beyond the tired tropes and explore
Conversation with Catherine Mayer can be in creating change. Who are our allies, how the breadth of their experience and
Q&A: I Am A Cliché
Friday 7pm • Main Stage can we influence others and what does it mean spirituality. Here, Sabeena and sister
to see ourselves represented on screen, online contributor Sofia Rehman talk about Saturday 2pm • TWAISB Stage
Actor and writer Andi Osho’s screen credits include
and on the streets? Tackling everything from the book, its reception and the As the frontwoman of X-Ray Spex,
Holby City, EastEnders, Death In Paradise, I May
the politics of the protest march to the tyranny ongoing issue of hijab-splaining with Poly Styrene was a key inspiration
Destroy You and Line of Duty. Her formidable
of tweeting, the principle of putting statues up Primadonna Amie Corry. for the riot grrrl and Afropunk
writing career includes credits for print, radio,
— or tearing them down — to simple pen power, movements. Poly’s daughter
film and TV for broadcasters such as Fox, BBC
and Sky. Her debut novel, Asking For A Friend, these brilliant writers bring their own expert Allied forces: Emma Celeste became the guardian of
her mother’s legacy after her early
was published earlier this year and is soon to be insights to this timely discussion of resistance Dabiri in conversation death and, with her friend Zoë
online and in real life. With
followed by her second piece of romantic
writer Bee Rowlatt who led
with Nikesh Shukla Howe, an internationally published
fiction, Tough Crowd. She would also beat you Saturday 12 noon • Main Stage
the campaign to have a author, broadcaster, musician and visual artist,
hands down in a quiz. Here, she talks about her Join Emma and Nikesh for this
statue of feminist icon Mary wrote the acclaimed Dayglo: The Poly Styrene
varied and inspiring career with fellow master unmissable conversation on
Wollstonecraft erected in Story, which was then made into the film I Am A
mind Catherine Mayer, a bestselling author, solidarity, sharing experience
London; author and historian Cliche with director Paul Sng. Celeste and
journalist and activist. Catherine last year moved and staying hopeful — and
Alex von Tunzelmann whose Zoë talk here to Primadonna
from writing books to producing records when how we can all help make
most recent book Fallen Amie Corry about the process of
she took on the role of executive producer on the change we want to
Idols looks at the politics of making both the book and the
the album The Problem of Leisure following the see. Irish-Nigerian author
toppling monuments; and film, and the lasting legacy of
sudden death of her husband, guitarist Andy Gill Emma Dabiri drew on her
author Karline Smith who Celeste’s mother, in all her glory.
who co-founded the band Gang of Four. Here, experience of racism growing
these two multi-talented women talk about their contributed to the collection Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché is
Resist: Stories of Uprising; up to write her 2019 bestseller screening at the Regal cinema
writing, their lives, and their chosen specialist Don’t Touch My Hair. Her
subjects for quizzes. and professor of history, at various times throughout the
author and broadcaster latest book, What White festival. Watch it for free — just show
Kate Williams. People Can Do Next: From your festival wristband.
Mother Tongue Allyship to Coalition covers
Friday 7pm • TWAISB Stage colonialism, capitalism and
Do you have fond memories of your parents’ ‘posh
Oui, J’adore: Michèle Roberts in power, and has become Perfectly Tasteful: Grace
voice’ when someone you didn’t know came Conversation with Viv Groskop another bestseller. Here Dent and Sandi Toksvig
to the house? Have you Friday 9pm • Main Stage she talks with novelist and in Conversation
put on an accent to ‘talk Writers’ writer Michèle Roberts now has more screenwriter Nikesh Shukla, 3pm on Saturday • Main Stage
tough’ in order to be taken than 20 novels, short stories and poetry collections author of Coconut Unlimited Two queens of the TV top table talk food, glorious
seriously at work... or at the to her name, the most recent of which, Cut (shortlisted for the Costa First food and plenty more besides in this intimate
DIY store? Or did you spend Out, is published next month. Set in Nice in the Novel Award), Meatspace, conversation that will satisfy your appetite for a
your childhood filling out 1950s, Michèle returns to the subject of female The One Who Wrote Destiny good story or two, as well as some insider insights
forms or on the phone to the friendship, while also placing motherhood, and Brown Baby: A Memoir Of into the British TV foodie scene. Grace Dent
council, changing language, immigration, family secrets and self-discovery Race, Family And Home, as well became a regular judge on Masterchef before
accents and voice to make at the centre of her story. She is joined by writer, as editor of the bestselling essay returning to the Guardian as a regular columnist
yourself understood? From comedian, presenter and host of the hit podcast collection The Good Immigrant. for its Feast magazine. She has written 11 YA novels
northern accents abandoned How To Own The Room Viv Groskop, a committed We’re thrilled to welcome them to Primadonna to and the non-fiction title How to Leave Twitter.
on the M25 to ‘character- Francophile whose love of French literature in discuss their work, and explore how we can all step Her recent memoir Hungry traces her story from
building’ telephone tasks, we particular is the subject of her most recent work up to make change. growing up in the northeast eating beige food to
examine how our relationship Au Revoir Tristesse. Together they discuss the becoming one of our most-loved foodies. Sandi
Kit de Waal with language and the way allure of our friends across the Channel and the No Place Like Home? Toksvig was co-host of The Great British Bake-Off
we communicate with way we imagine ourselves as romantic heroines in for three years, and is a fan of all kinds of food…
Saturday 1pm • TWAISB Stage
the different people in the books that we read. except cheesecake.
We ask a selection of writers to share their
our lives manifests — thoughts on the place(s) they call home, reflecting
and what it says about Adults Only Campfire Storytelling on the borders that define them and the sense of
us as individuals and Friday 10pm • TWAISB Stage belonging they evoke. We ask how the invisible
communities. Our expert Professional storyteller Justine de Mierre brings lines on maps shape our imaginations and sense
code-switchers tell us a taste of her Darklove storytelling show to of place, looking at the impact of boundaries
their stories: with author the Primadonna campfire. Expect tales of sex, and multicultural experiences on what makes a
Nikesh Shukla, who dismemberment, ghosts and shewolves in a place a home. With Melody Razak, whose debut
gathered BIPOC voices selection of late-night bedtime stories that are Moth examines a family’s experience of Partition;
from across Britain in strictly for the grown-ups! Florence lájídé, who spent her early childhood
his edited collection The in a white foster family before moving with her
Good Immigrant;
Immigrant writer birth family to Nigeria aged 6 — as described in
Kit de Waal who was her memoir Coconut; Neema Shah, who centred
born in Birmingham her debut novel Kololo Hill on one family’s
Nikesh Shukla
Grace Dent 9
8
Sandi Toksvig
This Is How We Come manifesto that mentioned Lesbians, Kate Davies, winner of the 2020 Polari You Had To Be There
award for LGBTQI writing, and Catherine Riley,
Back Stronger the menopause (it did);
Primadonna’s Director and author of Feminism
Sunday 2pm • Main Stage
Saturday 3pm • TWAISB Stage Sangeeta Pillai who founded Historical drama sells, but are we buying
Soul Sutras to tackle taboos and Women’s Writing.
Gender inequalities were laid bare — and into it for more than the corsetry and
compounded — by the COVID-19 pandemic, within the South Asian wigs? We speak to creators, stars and
whose impact on women was seen in job and community; and in the chair Because You Watched This fans of work about long-gone women
salary cuts, greater responsibility in the home Eleanor Mills who recently Sunday 12pm • TWAISB Stage about what drives their interest in
and in schooling, and greater threat from male set up Noon, a new platform NowTV not only knows you enjoyed Bridgerton, characters from the past, and who’s
violence. In spite of the complex challenges for women in mid-life. but which scenes you re-watched. Spotify ‘curates’ missing from the stories when we talk
women from all walks of life faced, there were This panel is sponsored what you hear. Amazon anticipates which books about historical fiction or drama. We
some bright sparks of joy last year: personal, by Northumbria you might want to read and directs you to them. also ask: how important is it that
professional, communal. Our panel discuss their University, and is part News is reported and consumed according not we reimagine women’s histories in
reasons to be cheerful and reflect on what of their pilot study only to human judgments of what matters, but particular, in order to imagine more
matters to them the most, (funded by the Northern Sangeeta Pillai the whims of algorithms which favour clickbait positive futures? Join Adjoa Andoh,
featuring authors Medical Humanities over substance and drive fake news with as much TV, radio, film and theatre star
Stella Duffy, Rosanna Research Network) enthusiasm as real stories. Tech pioneers believed and stand-out performer in recent
Amaka, Sophie into representations of the menopause in the proliferation of digital platforms and services Netflix smash-hit Bridgerton; Sandi
Williams and Jenny contemporary culture, including literature. would open up the world for content creators and Toksvig, whose most recent book
Sealey. Things are consumers and it has, but the same technologies Toksvig’s Almanack recovered the
also risk creating feedback loops, shaping and stories of countless women from the
looking up! Consent: Laying Down The Law narrowing global tastes. How should the creative past; author of historical fiction novel
Women writers have Saturday 7pm • Main Stage industries respond and what does this mean for In the Palace of Flowers Victoria
reflected on what The passing of the new police, crime and writers and artists, performers and filmmakers? Princewill; and poet, playwright and
matters to them most, sentencing bill has brought the conversation Featuring Hannah Griffiths, whose job is to decide author Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
and what they will of the curtailing of freedoms to the fore. From which books might make great TV; Sam Hoyle,
do to make change, the BLM movement to Reclaim the Streets,
in an intersectional marginalised communities are increasingly
who has worked on Doctor Who, Broadchurch, Looking After Number One
and is now an Executive Producer at Netflix;
anthology published impacted and frustrated by inequality, but where Sunday 3pm • TWAISB Stage
Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner Elle
by the Feminist does consent begin and end, and what does After a year that many of us
McNicoll whose second children’s novel Show Us
Society: This Is How We accountability look like when we can’t publicly spent alone, we slow things
Who You Are is set in a dystopian future where AI
Stronger,
Come Back Stronger gather to protest? How can we set out clear down to consider how we can
is being used to filter out neurodivergences; and
which features essays lines of personal and communal consent, and look after ourselves and others
chair Catherine Mayer, writer, Primadonna and
by two of the panellists what lessons can we learn from the past to fight better — whether we’re happy
former director of Datum Future, a think tank
in this session. You can injustices now? Featuring Katherine Angel, author on our own or not. We might
examining the impacts of data-driven technology.
buy your copy of This Is of Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again; psychologist, think we have a handle on the
How We Come Back Stronger author, speaker and activist Nina Burrowes who language and application of
in the festival bookshop: 20% of the is the founder of The Consent Collective; Mandu
On Being self-care — but are we doing
cover price goes to Women’s Aid and Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Other: Monique it right? And how do we build
Imkaan. throwing a spotlight onto the issue of sexual Roffey in better emotional resilience as
harassment and assault in schools; and Jude Kelly, Conversation well as connect to ourselves
Nature Rights Primadonna co-founder and also founder of the with Natalie — mentally, emotionally and
Women of the World: WOW festivals. physically — in the context
Saturday 4pm • Farm Barn Morris of an exploitative ‘wellness’
Seldom do we have time to consider our Sunday 1pm •
Literary Lesbians: culture and an increasingly
personal relationship to nature. Nature Rights is
Main Stage terrifying world? We look at
an invitation to explore the history of humans’ Queers in the Join this year’s Costa the psychological benefits and
relationship to nature and your personal thoughts Canon winner Monique downsides of isolation and an
on the question, ‘Should Nature Have Rights?’ Join
Sunday 10am • The Chapel Roffey as she talks immersion in ‘self-care’, and
artists Natalie Koffman and Flora Gregory for this
Invisibilised, reviled and about her remarkable ask: how do we best take care
interactive participatory performance workshop,
persecuted throughout novel The Mermaid of our creative output, our
which maps the history of the human/nature
history, the lesbian figure of Black Conch with mental health, and our whole
relationship. Imagine what the future might look
has nonetheless prevailed author of incredible selves? With journalist, author
like and how might our lives change if nature
in a huge variety of literary debut Mixed/Other and Primadonna co-founder
had rights?
forms: from the ‘invert’ of Natalie Morris. Catherine Mayer who has written
Radclyffe Hall’s scandalous They will explore about her experiences of early
Is It Me or Is It Hot in Here? A The Well of Loneliness to the shared themes Natalie Morris widowhood in her new memoir
Roundtable on Menopause romping Victorian music of otherness, Good Grief; clinical psychologist
Saturday 5pm • TWAISB Stage hall ‘toms’ of Sarah Waters’ outsider syndrome Dr Frances Goodheart; author
Diane Souhami
It will affect every woman who lives long novels; from the genius of and how to write Radhika Sangani who spent
enough, but in the media and in literature, there Jeanette Winterson’s magical different kinds of her 30th birthday alone in
is a cultural absence of conversations about creations to the anguish stories, as well as lockdown (and loved it);
the menopause. From the anecdotal to the of a gay ‘re-education’ their experiences and writer Nadia Gilani, the ‘Yoga Dissident’. In
medical, this roundtable discussion will offer a in Emily Danforth’s The of finding a place the chair is Francesca Specter, internationally-
frank conversation about the sobering, funny, Miseducation of Cameron between two published author of Alonement: How to be Alone
empowering and sometimes outright awful Post… it seems you can’t cultures. Chaired and Absolutely Own It, and the creator of the
‘change’. We’ll also look for — but don’t expect to keep a good lesbian down by writer and Alonement podcast.
find! — literary representations of the menopause for long! Join us for this programmer of
as we discuss the disappearance of older women discussion of the historical writer’y things,
from public life, and from the pages of the books contributions of lesbian Bee Rowlatt. Monique Roffe y
we read. With broadcaster, writer and national authors and characters to
treasure Sandi Toksvig, who was determined when modern literature, with
co-founding the Women’s Equality Party that Diana Souhami, author of
it should be the first political party to publish a No Modernism Without
Catherine Riley
11
10
Ambient Sounds Sixty Minute Stand-Up
DON’T FORGET Saturday 10am onwards • Edgar’s Farmhouse
Drop in to discover new music throughout
Saturday 8pm • TWAISB Stage
Join us for an hour of top-notch
Saturday afternoon. Aural bliss. standup comedy featuring Ada
FUN
Campe, a variety artiste who
Together In Riverland: Stow Stories delights audiences across the UK with
Saturday 11am, 1pm, 6pm, Sunday 11am • her unique blend of cabaret, comedy,
Meet at Shepherd's Hut variety and magic; stand-up Izzy Asquith
who won the 2020 Funny Women award;
Join Stow Stories as they guide you through the
grounds of the Museum, exploring the biodiversity Mary O’Connell, a comedian, writer and
North London socialite whose stage presence
and heritage of the river walk and sharing their
is dangerously aloof; comedian and writer Ania
passion for town heritage, culture, landscape and
Magliano, founder of Stockings Comedy collective
the natural environment. Stow Stories is a Suffolk
for female and non-binary comedy performers;
Archive partnership and they will be bringing their
Shepherd’s Hut and vintage Massey Ferguson Jen Ives, known for her often sideways look at
Resting Bitch Place find that we don’t move enough, and we override 135 tractor on site so you can step inside and
what it means to be a trans woman today, as well
Take some time out from being positive and put our body’s needs in order to ‘get more done’. In as mischievous takes on her family, gay rights, self-
uncover how Stowmarket heritage, biodiversity
your feet up in our specially designated discussion this session you will be guided through practices image and whatever else is on her mind; and Rosie
and landscape influenced the development and
tent. There’s no need for niceties here, it’s a safe that you can integrate into your daily routine prosperity of the town. Wilby, a Funny Women finalist and regular on the
space to vent whatever you feel like getting off your with ease. To be mindful doesn’t mean you have standup circuit as well as comedy podcaster.
chest, or just chill out for a while in the company of to sit still. To move doesn’t require a lot of space.
BOSH! Live
others. Feel free to carry on the conversation from Please bring a mat and/or blanket. Yoga pants not Eliza Shaddad, Mega and Amahla
Saturday 1:30pm • Main Stage
whichever panel has inspired or energised you, or required! Just comfortable clothes that allow you
Join us for a live cook-a-long with Henry and Ian,
— LIVE!
start your own discussions on whatever’s getting space to feel free. Saturday from 8pm • main stage
authors of BOSH!, the bestselling debut cookbook
your goat. Whether you’re travelling alone and Equally at home perusing murder ballads and
of 2018 and the biggest selling vegan cookbook of
would like to meet others, or want some time away Never Mind the Bollocks... Live all time. With 26 decoding Arabic scales, Eliza’s singular artistry is
from the hustle and bustle of the wider festival Friday 8pm the product of an incredibly diverse and borderless
million views a
to strike up a conversation, this tent has got you Following our session on women in the alternative upbringing. Eliza released her debut album
month and now
covered! music scene, we’re showcasing a range of female- Future in 2018, receiving praise from the likes of
double National
fronted bands. Admission free. With Three Years Book Award Rolling Stone, MOJO, Refinery29 and The Sunday
Welcome to the World As It Younger, NIA and the Amethysts — just show your winners, Henry Times. Named a Rising Star of 2019 by the BBC,
Should Be! wristband. and Ian have her reputation for powerful live shows has seen
Friday 2:30pm • TWAISB Stage taken vegan her touring extensively. She has also collaborated
Live music from Rosie Trentham and Sophie ENN — LIVE! mainstream. with award-winning poet Anthony Anaxagorou
Mahon and the Ready Mades will help get you Friday 10pm • Main Stage They’ve now had and contemporary jazz group Hansu-Tori and is
into the Primadonna vibe. Brighton based trans-national genre blenders over 2 billion a founding member of seven-year-strong female
ENN (pronounced Jenn) are a musical riot views online arts collective Girls Girls Girls.
Real Life (or Death) Cluedo ready to command your attention and mess with and are the Mega is one of the strongest voices to surface
your brain. They’re serving playful, alternative authors of three from the contemporary soul scene in London.
Friday 4pm • Meet in the Conservatory tunes with a punk attitude born from their
Meet us the drawing room, with a candlestick… if O SH ! Sunday Times Making an instant impact with her debut single
humble DIY beginnings. The Great Escape, NME, Ian of B
you dare. Making the most of the beautiful Abbots Henry and best-selling ‘Chariot’— which has already amassed nearly 6
BBC Introducing The South, BBC 6 Music, and
Hall, we’re getting stuck into the classic board game cookbooks. million combined streams — she’s been quick to
Glastonbury Festival have all championed the
— but not as you know it! cement her status as a star. ‘Let Me Let You Go’, a
band over the last year, who were chosen as one of
30 European acts to represent Malta at the Music Beyonce vs Madonna: The Dance-Off deeply personal single released earlier in 2020, was
Scratch Choir with RedHouse Europe Day online festival, and reached the semi- Saturday 4pm • TWAISB Stage picked by Jack Saunders for his Future Artists on
finals of the Grammy endorsed e-festival, Listen A bold, fearless dance off, celebrating two music BBC Radio 1 and was chosen by the Brit Awards for
Friday 6pm • TWAISB Stage
to Womxn, 2020. ENN’s EP, Liminal, contains icons — Beyonce and Madonna. No dance their Sunday Spotlight.
Give us an hour, and we’ll turn you into a choir!
An all-ages session for all standards of singers, unshakeable tunes with a nod to 90s grunge and experience needed, just enthusiasm and energy. Soul singer-songwriter Amahla entered 2020
this heart-and-throat-warming session will be led a no BS approach to the zeitgeist Our experts from Dance East will teach you the rest. with high ambitions having ended 2019 with
by tenor and conductor Ben Vonberg-Clark who in their lyrics. over 1 million streams, sold out shows and critical
has run ‘come and sing’ events for many years at Cocktail Hour in the Conservatory acclaim for her bold addressing of sociopolitical
Britten-Pears. Get your evening underway in the DD Disco Saturday 7pm • Conservatory issues and for her exceptional voice. Despite
best possible way. Friday 11pm • Join us for some civilised supping in the beautiful festival and tour cancellations due to Covid-19, this
Engine Room Bar conservatory of Abbots Hall, as you slip gently into year has seen Amahla granted funding from PRS
Mindful Movement with Dr Stacie Late night the mood for our Saturday night lineup of top Foundation, mentorship from Kobalt, mentorship
shenanigans from from Apple and international recognition from
CC Graham musical talent.
Midem as part of their talent exporter programme.
two of the best
Friday 6pm •
Bee Garden
Debbies we know: Make Sioned Laugh (Again)
Join writer and
stoking fires in the Saturday 7pm • TWAISB Stage The Yoga Dissident
Engine Room until Primadonna’s very own game show is back! Sign Sunday 8am • TWAISB Stage
founder of OYA: the wee small hours.
Body-Mind-Spirit up to spend a maximum of three minutes trying to Nadia Gilani has extensive experience of working
Retreats for a special make Sioned Wiliam — Radio 4’s commissioning with people with different bodies and from
session of intentional editor for comedy — and Kate Stone of Funny all walks of life: from complete beginners to
movement and Women laugh. Win the Curly Wurly of comedy if more experienced, teenagers to the over 70s,
mindfulness. Even you come top of the chuckles in this Primadonna refugees and asylum seekers, women who have
with the best of perennial. experienced domestic violence and people living
intentions, we often with mental illness and those in recovery from
Dr Stacie CC Graham 13
12
substance misuse. She is Sally Army — LIVE! The Poly Styrene Story, which was then made
deeply committed to making
yoga inclusive and her teaching
Sunday 12pm • Main Stage FILMS @ THE REGAL into the film I Am A Cliché with director Paul Sng.
Featuring unseen archive material and rare diary
What do you need after a
approach is contemporary, entries narrated by Oscar-nominee Ruth Negga,
self-wedding? A nice cuppa
non-dogmatic and explorative, this documentary follows Celeste as she examines
tea and a biscuit — which is her mother’s unopened artistic archive and
while maintaining a deep actually the title of a rip-roaring Join us at our partner venue — the newly traverses three continents to better understand
respect for the ancient Indian song by Essex’s female version refurbished, beautiful art deco cinema The Regal, Poly the icon and Poly the mother.
practice. In her view, anyone of Chas and Dave. Sally always just five minutes from the festival site — for
can practice yoga if they want performs in a wedding dress our film programme, with features running
to — it’s down to the teacher to Lady Boss: Jackie Collins
— how convenient for our little throughout the weekend.
Nadia Gilani take a flexible, compassionate 7pm every day • 1h 36m
shindig! Expect ska, expect
and intelligent approach to help Literary phenomenon.
students find what best suits them. All are welcome
audience participation, expect Dying to Divorce Revolutionary storyteller.
chaos, expect to wet your pants 2pm every day • 1h 20m Feminist icon. Novelist
for this special session. laughing. Filmed over 5 years, Jackie Collins’s trailblazing
Dying to Divorce takes and glamorous life
Rhyme and Shine The Breakup Monologues with viewers into the heart is remembered and
Sunday 10am • Main Stage Rosie Wilby (Live Podcast of Turkey’s gender- reconsidered in Laura
Welcome back to Primadonna’s Sunday special: based violence crisis
our poetry slam where you get to showcase
Recording) and the recent political
Fairrie’s admiring
documentary portrait.
your own writing Sunday 1pm • The Chapel events that have eroded
Award-winning comedian Rosie democratic freedoms.
alongside some
Wilby shares funny, bizarre and It Felt Like A Kiss
of the best poets, Through intimately shot
poignant tales of heartbreak and stories, the film gives a 9pm every day • 54m
rappers, emcees Adam Curtis’ mysterious musical film that has
and other spoken recovery with special guests Helen unique perspective on
Lederer and Samantha Baines — in the struggle to be an never been shown on TV. Now for the first time in
word artists at work a cinema.
right now. Poets a live recording of her acclaimed independent woman in
from yesterday’s podcast. Rosie has been obsessively modern Turkey.
researching the psychology of Afternoon
open mic session
get the chance to love for a decade and has even Imogen Holst: A Showreel in the
perform alongside been dubbed the ‘the queen of Musical Life Bone Building
our headliners breakups’ by BBC Radio 4. The 4pm every day • 15 min Take some time
Breakup Monologues is now also Composer, conductor, educator and dancer: out and tune in
Zoë McWhinney,
available as a book combining Imogen Holst lived a completely musical life. to our showreel of
4 BROWN GIRLS
Zoë McWhinney humour, heartache and science She is mainly associated with the achievements exceptional shorts,
WHO WRITE’s featuring The Stars
Sunnah Khan and and investigating how on of male composers — her father Gustav, and near-
earth to actually stay in a contemporary Benjamin Britten with whom she Are Brighter Here,
Joelle Taylor. which tells the stories
relationship in the modern age worked for over ten years. But throughout her life
of ghosting, breadcrumbing she made sure to have space for her own projects of some of Suffolk’s rural LGBTQ+ communities;
Going to the Chapel and We’re and conscious uncoupling. as a freelancer — writing books, forming choirs, Day of the 20,000 Gammon, a female-first
Going to Get... Self-Partnered It has been described by Red conducting bands and orchestras at a time it was creative venture which depicts the horrifying
Sunday 11am • The Chapel (you can also get rare to see a woman in the podium, and composing consequences of a woman’s decision to care
Magazine as a ‘gem of a book’
music that is increasingly being discovered and for a talking gammon head; and three films
yourself wedding-ready with our hour of prep at and by Viv Groskop as ‘funny,
performed. This short film, specially commissioned from Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds Digital
the TWAISB stage from 9-10am) sweet, entertaining, insightful performance scheme: The Moral Steam Engine,
Following Emma Watson’s lead, we’re providing and life-affirming.’ for Primadonna, was shot in her former home in
Aldeburgh and is presented by Dr Lucy Walker which explores the life of Thomas Clarkson — in
the wedding chapel, confetti, congregation and partnership with Ivy Scott / Aspire Black Suffolk;
(Head of Public Engagement at Britten Pears
cake for anyone who wants to ‘self-partner’ at this Self Esteem — LIVE! Arts). It celebrates her life in music, and features Special Delivery, which draws on letters sent from
year’s festival. Being in a relationship does not Sunday 3pm • Main Stage the front in Dunkirk — in partnership with Suffolk
movements from one of her most beautiful works,
define a person as successful or As we saw recently on Later with Jools Holland, Archive, Suffolk Regiment and Suffolk Artlink;
Fall of the Leaf for solo cello, performed by Wallis
approved of or socially accepted, ‘I Do This All The Time’ has to be THE song of Power. and Big Skies, a collaboration between Albany
so we’re celebrating the single 2021. Self Esteem is an experimental-pop project PRU, St Benedicts
life in our special Sunday created by Rebecca Lucy Taylor. The inspiration School Bury St
morning ceremony. for the nom de plume comes from the evolution
Poly Edmunds, The Meet-
Whether you’re currently of Taylor’s confidence from her early 20s. ‘All my Styrene: Up Cafe Benjamin
single, married, sworn upcoming work is exploring how complicated I Am A Foundation Thetford
off relationships for life… Cliché and The Mix
it is to just be a human. I’m wonderful and I’m
you’re welcome here. Stowmarket.
terrible. I hurt people and people hurt me. I feel 5pm every
The point is to show everything and nothing. It’s a shit laugh but then day • 1h 36m
a commitment it can be quite jolly can’t it.’ What better way Poly Styrene
to being kind and to close Primadonna than with Self Esteem’s was the first
good to the most Sunday afternoon headline slot. As the title of her woman of
important person in forthcoming album directs: Prioritise Pleasure. colour in the
your life: you. Join UK to front a
the wedding successful rock band as the frontwoman of X-Ray
parade to the Spex. She introduced the world to a new sound of
chapel on Sunday rebellion, using her unconventional voice to sing
morning — wearing white is about identity, consumerism, postmodernism, and
entirely optional — and we’ll add everything she saw unfolding in late 1970s Britain,
you to the registrar’s list. with a rare prescience. Her daughter Celeste and
her friend Zoë Howe wrote the acclaimed Dayglo:
15
14
Show Us Who You Are Diverse Book
FOR KIDS
Awards 2020,
Saturday 7pm • Farm Barn
and shortlisted
Author of the 2020 Children’s Debut of the Year
for the YA
Elle McNicoll reads from her new book
Book Prize
Show Us Who You Are. 12-year-old Cora
and the Foyles
is dragged to a party by her brother
Children’s Book
Gregor, who is keen for her to meet
of the Year;
his boss — the intimidating CEO of
and Samantha
the Pomegranate Institute, Magnus
AND THE YOUNG AT HEART Baines’ Harriet Kiran Millw
Hawkins. Once there, she unexpectedly ood Hargrav
Versus the e
strikes up a friendship with his son,
Galaxy has
Adrien. They soon discover that their
won a slew of prizes including at the
difference is what draws them together
Coventry Inspiration Book Awards 2021.
— Cora is autistic and Adrien has ADHD.
Cora is intrigued by Pomegranate, who
are using AI to create Hula with Abby
Feed the animals Craft activities with life-like holograms Sunday 11am • Farm Barn
of people to provide Get ready to bring your
Daily 3pm • Meet at Farm Barn Suffolk Artlink comfort to grieving core to the floor for a
Join staff from MEAL as they feed the animals Saturday 12pm • families. Magnus seriously good fun fitness
on site.
Farm Barn and the charming class for the whole family!
Crafty goings on with head scientist Dr This is a class for the total
Morning Movie Magic in the Suffolk Artlink who will be Gold are keen to beginner as well as the
Bone Building on hand for pebble painting, get Cora more fitness fanatic. We combine
Every morning, all morning drawing and sketching involved, but her tried and tested fitness
Take some time out from the grown-ups in our and lots of other artistic Dad is suspicious techniques with hip shakin’
dedicated kids’ film shed, where we’ll be screening endeavours. Drop by and of their motives. It Hula for a great full body
a range of classic and contemporary films to keep devote a little time to making becomes clear that cardio workout. You’ll be
you entertained. Bring your own popcorn, we’ll your own masterpiece. Pomegranate have spinning like a pro in no
provide the beanbags, some steam engines and Elle McNicol a much darker aim. time! Hula hooping is a great
a lot of lawnmowers to look at (no, really!). Make a Movie on your l Can Cora be the one to low-impact exercise so it
a Baines
with
Smart Phone stop them? can be good for those who Samanth ie t Versus
Harr
Farm Barn fun with Museum Saturday 12pm • Waterstones, Home Close
can’t do regular exercises like her book
xy
Experts Join us for this documentary-making masterclass Campfire storytelling for Families running, but don’t be fooled... the Gala
we aim to hoop you hard,
Drop in to the Farm Barn throughout the where you’ll be guided through the process of Saturday 8pm • Farm Barn
so spin steady, spin fast and
day for a range of crafty, creative and clever making your very own Primadonna movie. You Professional storyteller Justine de Mierre will be
you will get a mega calorie blast! With qualified
activities, including charcoal making/drawing; just need to bring your imaginations, and your telling tales from around the world, suitable for
HulaFit instructor Abby Close.
lino cutting workshops; beeswax wrap making; smart phones, as you create a short film about all ages, as well as getting interactive with some
mini beast walks; and the chance to make your ‘the world as it should be’, led by filmmaker Remi Extreme Storytelling — where Justine will make
own macrame plant hangers. Morrison. There are prizes for Best Movie, and we’ll up a story on the spot from audience suggestions Craft activities with Suffolk Artlink
screen our favourites on our YouTube channel too. thrown in as the tale is told. Plus a chance for Sunday 12pm • Medieval Barn, Home Close
Holly Webb — Earth Friends Reading graduates of the Introduction to Storytelling Crafty goings on with Suffolk Artlink who will
Magic Floor Productions: Alice In workshop on Friday evening to tell their first tales. be on hand for pebble painting, drawing and
Friday 8pm • Farm Barn
sketching and lots of other artistic endeavours.
Holly Webb started out as a children’s book Wonderland
editor and wrote her first series for the publisher Saturday 2pm • Farm Barn Parents Get Lost: Writing New Drop by and devote a little time to making your
own masterpiece.
she worked for. She has been writing ever since Meet the characters from Magic Floors Production Heroes for Young Readers
— although her pet cats are always nosing around of Alice in Wonderland. Say hello to Alice and the Sunday 10am • TWAISB Stage
when she is trying to Mad Hatter and look out for the White Rabbit and This special session for under-
type on her laptop — the Queen of Hearts as you join 18s features some of the best YA
with over 150 books them for their tea party and and middle grade writers around.
to her name. Holly across the site. Ditch your adults and come join
will read from her the conversation as these wildly
Earth Friends series
about four girls
Workshop with Zoe successful writers cut to the chase
Antoniades about how they come up with
trying to make a stories that work for young people,
difference to the Saturday 5pm • Farm Barn what inspires them, and how
world by caring for Join author of Callie and many swear words they’re allowed
the environment: Jimmy children’s books, Zoe in each novel. With bestselling
there will be craft Antoniades, for a creative novelist Juno Dawson, who
activities and a writing workshop for kids won the 2020 YA Book
Q&A too! aged 6-10 years. Prize for her YA novel Meat
Market; Elle McNicoll’s
Bake Your Holly Webb
Moxie: Make Your first superhero story Show
Own Bread Own Zine Zoe Antonia Us Who You Are won the
des 2020 Children’s Debut of
Animals Saturday 6pm • Farm Barn
Join us for this Moxie-inspired the Year; Kiran Millwood
Saturday 9am & 11am, Sunday 11am • Hargrave moved from
zine workshop: just like in Amy Poehler’s hit
Bread Oven in Home Close children’s fiction to
movie, you’ll be given everything you need to
Join writer and artisanal baker Sonya Hundal for this YA with her book The
create your own zine, and start your own kick-ass
special baking session for kids. Shape and bake your Deathless Girls which
movement. Scissors at the ready!
own animal bread rolls and make your own pizza. was longlisted for the
17
16 Juno Dawson
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