AWARD-winning novelist Margaret Drabble opens Stratford's annual poetry festival at the Shakespeare Centre this Sunday.
Margaret will launch proceedings at the Henley Street venue with a programme about children and animals, which has been compiled by Margaret and her husband, the biographer Michael Holroyd, and Des Barrit, who is currently playing Falstaff in Stratford for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Eight other events will follow on consecutive Sunday evenings.
This year's festival has a millennium theme which will be reflected in a programme of poetry inspired by Christian thought and experience, on August 6, when Wendy Craig and Clifford Rose will be joined by Terry Waite.
Four centuries of women's verse will be presented by Barbara Jefford and Geraldine McEwan on August 20.
Other readers in the festival include, Jane Lapotaire, Michael Maloney, Tim Pigott-Smith, Robert Powell and the poet Simon Rae.
Topics covered range from the Poets Laureate and WH Auden to Victorian poetry and fatherhood.
Local poets will be interested to know that there is an opportunity for them to read their own work on August 16.
Tickets and full festival details can be obtained from The Shakespeare Bookshop, 39 Henley Street, Stratford, or by contacting 01789 292176.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article