Two thousand visitors expected for first Thame Literature festival

PLANS for the 2010 Thame Arts and Literature Festival (TAL) are moving on a pace, and Steve Bannister told local residents gathered for the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday that there will be everything from romantic fiction to paleontology!

?We want the festival to be exciting, affordable and accessible,? he said, ?and immerse Thame in all things bookish.? Authors lined up to attend include Nick Barratt, the Genealogist behind the TV series, Who Do You Think You Are, and Colin Dexter, the creator of Morse, who will talk about his new books on cryptic crosswords.

The 30 events will include a Play in Day event in which local people can take part in writing, putting together, acting and finally performing the musical, Easop, written especially for the festival by him and Steve Bannister, pub quizzes and art shows. Sadly, Chris has broken his leg and so Steve will be stepping into the breach as Director.

Watch out for the amazing Literary Thame, historic walk where characters will come to life with the help of the Thame Players, Thame Youth Theatre and Thame Museum’s David Bretherton, described as: “An encounter with Thame’s literary past….literally.”

?We have been astonished by the enthusiasm from both town councillors and local businesses,? said Steve.

The event is expected to attract 2,000 visitors and takes place between June 25-27, 2010.

PHOTO (Courtesy of webvwire.com): Inspector Morse, the character created by author Colin Dexter who will be taking part in the first, Thame Arts and Literary Festival