The ground breaking Latitude Festival returns to the sunrise coast in Suffolk for its incredible third year. Nestled in the historic and beautiful surroundings of Henham Park Estate, Southwold, and taking place on 17th – 20th July, organisers Festival Republic are promising another truly spectacular event.

Last year’s sold out festival hosted a line-up of the highest quality acts across all the arenas. With the sun making a rare appearance during the flood-filled, rain- soaked summer, Latitude shone brightly, a glittering and shimmering sun-drenched oasis by the coast. With memories of last year’s fun-filled festival still lingering.

Discovering and exploring new things is a big part of the Latitude experience. Whether it’s encountering a thrilling live band in one of the many Music Arenas, discovering new musical talent on the Lake Stage, being engrossed in a brand new novel at the Literary Arena, unearthing the next Wordsworth at the Poetry Arena, side- splitting laughter in the Comedy Arena, quirky freaky experiences in the Cabaret Arena, being blown away by an exhilarating production at the Theatre Arena, Latitude always has something fresh, vibrant and exciting to offer from the vast world of creative arts.

Latitude’s now trademark diversity of art, entertainment and attractions has re-written the rulebook of traditional festivals, creating a truly innovative event that continues to inspire and influence. Offering the festival go-er the full spectrum of art with individual arenas dedicated to film, theatre, poetry, literature, cabaret, comedy and of course music, it is a pioneering approach that has established Latitude as a peer-less and unique experience.

Latitude Festival 2008 will push things further with an incredible, exciting new line up that will guarantee another wonderful weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Henham Park.

Festival Republic Managing Director, Melvin Benn says:

“Edition 3 of Latitude. I cannot wait. It has so much in store that July 17th cannot come quickly enough for me. Latitude has, as I had hoped, re written the rule book of what a festival might be and can be and of course therefore, immediately influenced other existing festivals and spawned copy cats. I am hardly surprised except that it has happened so quickly. It is a great compliment but it is only that. The real true festival of musical harmony, artistic and creative beauty is on the sunrise coast and is Latitude.”

 

Latitude boasts four Music Arenas; The Obelisk, The Uncut, The Sunrise and The Lake Stage, spanning a wide range of genres hand-picked for the festival; bands and artists are chosen with the essence of Latitude in mind. More established bands play in harmony alongside the freshest new acts.

At this year’s event on the main Obelisk Arena, Latitude is delighted to announce another fantastic music line up that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end!

Scottish art-rock heroes Franz Ferdinand will bring to Henham Park their catchy sing along hits in one hand and an array of exciting new material in the other. After taking a break to record their much anticipated third album Franz Ferdinand return with a mesmerising live show that you simply cannot miss.

The majestic and quite incredible Icelandic Sigur Ros who have stolen hearts all over the world with their eclectic mix of melodic, classical and experimental post-rock. Whether you are familiar with their diverse and extensive back catalogue or if you just happen to recognise a tune from the BBC trailer, a magical evening will be had by all as the sun sets over Henham Park.

New York titans Interpol will close the Sunday night with their unique brand of soaring, inventive indie rock. With three albums worth of stunning material, the kings of cool will have the adrenaline pulsating through your veins and live long in your memory after the night is all over.

Elsewhere on the Obelisk Arena rock outfit Grinderman make an incredibly rare festival. Made up from the legendary members of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, with Cave favouring the guitar for a more rocking sound Grinderman have a raw, visceral feel. With a critically acclaimed debut self-titled album already under their belts and a new album on the way towards the end of the year, Grinderman will bring their chaotic black humour rock to the Obelisk Arena on Sunday night.

The charming Washington four piece Death Cab for Cutie will take to the stage on Friday night to perform heart- wrenching indie pop from their back catalogue of gems as well as new material from their hotly anticipated sixth studio album due for release in the summer.

They are joined on the Saturday by the superb Elbow whose critically acclaimed fourth studio album came out on the 17th March. Expect sincere, innovative soaring rock music of the highest order from the Mancunians who can name R.E.M and U2 as fans.

Brighton’s The Go! Team who incorporate an exhilarating array of genres from dance-y indie rock to early hip hop and 70’s funk provide a perfect late Friday afternoon addition to get you in the mood for an evening of fun. As a 6 piece that includes two drummers and a member simply known as ‘Ninja’ you know you’re in for something a bit different – in a good way!

One of the stand out moments of last years Latitude was a truly packed out tent on a sunny Saturday afternoon for a man simply known as Seasick Steve. Having lived on the streets of America busking for money and playing on street corners this real life hobo captures hearts wherever he goes. Latitude are delighted to have him back this year, this time on the Obelisk Arena on Saturday early evening to play his old school downbeat American blues. Darn tootin’!

Also confirmed for Obelisk are Alt rockers The Breeders who have had a career spanning 20 years and are back with an exhilarating new album due out in April – their first studio work for 6 years. Founding member Kim Deal of Pixies fame has been the band’s continual member through various line up changes and Latitude is delighted to have them performing some of their fantastic back catalogue of killer hooks and quirky pop rock.

And finally for now, Mathangi Arulpragasam or M.I.A as she is better known has had an amazing 2007 with the release of the critically acclaimed album ‘Kala’ which was named album of the year by Rolling Stone magazine. Fusing grime, hip-hop and electro pop M.I.A is a breath of fresh air and definitely one to look out for!

Jon Dunn who curates the music says:
“The programme of music at last year’s festival ranged from the emotionally charged, with the melancholic yet uplifting The National, the rousing Rodrigo Y Gabriela and the most remarkable band of last summer the mighty Arcade Fire, to music press must-sees such as Bat For Lashes, Patrick Wolf and New Young Pony Club, then add to this the blues man Seasick Steve with his worldly tales and two string guitar.
Now in its third edition Latitude has defined its musical personality. It’s music that is interesting and exciting; great bands, brilliant artists and the music that I love. I’m excited with our headliners for this year’s festival and looking forward to announcing further great acts over the forthcoming weeks. Franz Ferdinand will be phenomenal, Interpol will rock and captivate and the beautifully ethereal and epic Sigur Ros will soar.”

 

The tented Uncut Arena will once again host a myriad of musical musts at this year’s festival. Over-looking the stunning festival site from its hillside position the Uncut Arena is the place to stumble across some of the best in eclectic and leftfield bands and artists, discovering entire genres of music and witnessing acts that you would never normally see.

Latitude’s past years have seen perfect performances by Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Tinariwen, Charlotte Hatherley and Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys as well as talent from the fields of folk, world, experimental, electronica, rock, indie and any other musical style you can think of. It’s all on offer at the Uncut Arena.

Headlining Friday night is the remarkable Amadou and Mariam. The duo met in Mali at an Institute for young blind people and found a shared love of music. Producing effortlessly catchy songs that incorporate hints of reggae, jazz, blues and rock Amadou and Mariam have been dubbed “Africa’s funkiest band” by the Evening Standard. Saturday will witness a tour de force live show that will leave your ears ringing and your mouth wide open.

Created out of the ashes of cult band At The Drive-In, the psychedelic, progressive and experimental rock of Mars Volta is coming to Latitude. Their music incorporates rock, jazz, punk and Latin influences, an inspiring mix that will simply take your breath away.

The Uncut Arena will climax on the Sunday with a stunning performance by Nottingham based cult stars Tindersticks. Since their inception in the early nineties, Tindersticks have been wowing audiences with their epic live shows and use of as many instruments that you could possibly imagine. Performing a truly unique mix of alternative rock whilst incorporating a full piece orchestra, Sunday night on the Uncut Arena will witness the band playing everything from Organs to Glockenspiels to create a fitting awesome ending to the weekend.

Jon Dunn says:
“Tented Arenas of this size are great to work with. When the right band and the right audience come together in a tent the feeling can be heady and euphoric. My ambition when booking bands for the Uncut Arena is to enable a synergy between the bands and the crowd.”

 

Deep set into Latitude’s beautiful woodland and perhaps the most exquisite arena of all, the small and intimate Sunrise Arena will once again be showcasing the very best in emerging talent.

Last year this arena saw inspiring up and coming music from now media favourites New Young Pony Club, Howling Bells, The Rumble Strips and Pete And The Pirates to name but a few. With a full schedule to be announced this cosy and cherished arena is the place to find the very best in exciting and emerging bands play up close and personal performances. Come and see tomorrow’s biggest stars at Latitude.

Jon Dunn says:
“The Sunrise Arena is a truly amazing space which transforms from day to night. It’s a powerful environment that almost dictates the music I programme on it; singer songwriter type of acts earlier on in the day to listen and chill to and then as the arena changes form and comes alive in the evening, stuff that makes you want to move and have a dance.”

 

In a beautiful lakeside setting sits a stage of discovery and enchantment, characteristics that underpin the whole of Latitude Festival. The Lake Stage, curated by Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, showcases the freshest and most critical new acts before they begin to bubble in the conscience of the music press. From the poetic ramblings of Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip to the upbeat infectious indie of current favourites Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong and a memorable mid afternoon performance from a little known band named Scouting for Girls who recently went to number one with their debut album; 2007 saw plenty of new talent from all sides of the musical spectrum springboard from the Introducing Stage to great success.

Speaking of his involvement with Latitude, Huw Stephens says, “Latitude, as well as being in an idyllic location with so many different things going on, has a huge emphasis on quality new music. It’s to be found on all the stages in different ways, but the Introducing music on the Lake stage is like the first crop of new music, freshly squeezed and a lot of the time playing a festival for the first time. The emphasis is on quality, ideas, freshness and making sure it is an intriguing mix of the good stuff”.

 

Latitude has always been more than just a music festival with a wonderful line up from the world of creative arts. Across 6 separate arenas Latitude offers an incredible line up of the most gifted comedians, film makers, visual artists, poets, writers, actors and dancers around. Spanning the lush Henham Park site the Comedy, Poetry, Literature, Theatre, Music & Film and Cabaret Arenas are neatly positioned excitedly awaiting your arrival.

Arts Programmer at Latitude Festival, Tania Harrison, had this to say:
“Last year someone said to me that for them, Latitude was a cultural adventure and I love the idea that people are coming to Latitude to ride on the arts rollercoaster, so to speak. At Latitude the audience can get the chance to sample the whole plethora of the arts, enjoying artists’ work that they already know and also discover a whole new world of artists, actors, poets, writers, film makers, not to mention dance moves that they’ve never done or even seen before! The audience at Latitude are particularly enthusiastic about getting involved and the Bollywood and mambo dance classes last year were full, as was the ’embrace your inner drag queen’ workshop, which was quite possibly one of my favourite moments from last year. It’s great that people can take home a goodie bag filled with new experiences along with a new found ability to lindy hop! This year, I hope to bring something exciting and different to the festival experience and have booked what I think are some incredibly stimulating and quality artists into each of the arts arenas. I’m also delighted that we have coming to Latitude some of the best arts organisations that the UK has to offer, with the Royal Court Theatre, The Bush, Paines Plough, Nabokov and The Pleasance bringing stunning plays and writers to the festival and I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Sadler’s Wells who will be presenting world class dance. I can hardly contain my excitement at some of the acts that are coming to Latitude and I just can’t wait to see contemporary dance performed on the lake against the beautiful backdrop of Henham Park.”

 

 

Now with a larger tent and screens outside to accommodate its heaving audience, the ever popular Comedy Arena returns with another staggering line up that reads like a who’s who of the current touring comedy circuit. A programme of the biggest names in comedy and the newest rising talent will ensure continuous laughter throughout the weekend.

Comedian, musician, actor and all-round funny-man Bill Bailey, returns to the Latitude limelight for another side-splitting performance. Well known for his work on television in programmes such as ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’, ‘QI’, ‘Black Books’ and more recently ‘Skins’, and his live shows ‘Bewilderness’ and ‘Part Troll’, Bailey has established himself as one of the leading British comedians.

Ross Noble will bring his hilarious live show that prompted Time Out magazine to name him, “The supreme master of spontaneous stand-up and the most exciting comic in the country!”. After appearances on ‘Have I Got News for You’ and recent new live show ‘Nobleism’, Ross is at the top of his game and his appearance at this year’s festival will be a definite highlight.

The grouchy, deadpan, comic genius Rich Hall performance at Latitude will be eagerly anticipated. Hall quit his job as a hurricane namer for the United States Meteorological Service eighteen years ago and has never looked back. He has won many awards including an Emmy for writing on ‘The David Letterman Show’, the Perrier Award for his character Otis Lee Crenshaw and the Edinburgh Critics Award, twice! Rich is a master of absurdist irony while eschewing the human condition. He will be performing his own stand up and will make a further appearance on the bill as his wild and deranged character Otis Lee Crenshaw – a troubled and convicted country music singer.

Award-winning British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili is also performing in this year’s Comedy Arena. Djalili has won many awards for his comedy including the EMMA Award, Time Out Award, and LWT Comedy Award for Best Stand-up Comedian, Spirit of the Fringe Award as well as the One World Media Award for his Channel 4 documentary, ‘Bloody Foreigners’. As well as being nominated the Perrier Award for Best Comedian, the South Bank Award for Best Comedy of 2003, and the Royal Television Society Award for Best Stand-up.

His hyperactive and energetic manner of imitating accents, undercutting political humour with absurd bellydances and singing has earned him a significant worldwide following. Since breaking through at Edinburgh’s Fringe festival way back in 1995, Omid has mixed his very successful and popular stand up routine with a career in TV and Film including presenting Have I Got News For You and appearing in Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’. Omid now has his own BBC Television show The Omid Djalili Show – a fantastic mix of hilarious sketches and stand-up routines.

Simon Amstell’s quirky, sarcastic and leftfield approach will leave you in stitches. Known for his controversial and bizarre interviews with some of pop’s biggest names on ‘Popworld’, Simon was the perfect replacement for friend of Latitude Mark Lamarr on ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ and was presented with a Royal Television Society award for his efforts on the show.

Comedy’s fastest rising star Russell Howard brings his keen observational comedy show to Latitude. Russell has been busy cementing his place as one of the hottest properties in comedy with his BBC6 Music show every Sunday, loads of Mock The Week and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Would I Lie To You?, Live At The, Law of the Playground and just about any other funny current TV programme. “You’ll find more laughs here than many comedians manage in an entire career” The Metro

Tim Minchin is the Australian one man entertainment machine. Boasting talents as a writer, comedian, musician and actor, Tim’s live show is sure to excite with the Sydney Daily Telegraph rating his live performance as “One of the funniest and most amazing shows you will ever see.”

Phill Jupitus will be hosting another improv extravaganza with fellow comics. After the success of his show in the sunshine last year, Phill and friends just had to come back. The principle is simple: a gang of comedians get up on stage and try and make jokes about recent events, as suggested by the audience. Improv comedy roulette at its best, toe curling or hilarious, let the audience decide.

The slightly naughty but ever charming Lucy Porter, dilutes the testosterone with her chatty banter while cutting through any nonsense with her sharp, articulate and sometimes twisted, wit. Familiar face of TV shows including ‘The Mrs Merton Show’, ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘Nevermind The Buzzcocks’ and with her critically applauded stand-up show ‘The Good Life’ under her belt, she is one comic not to be missed.

Andrew Lawrence joins the bill at Latitude after a fantastic 2007 that saw him nominated for an if.comedy main award for his cult classic Edinburgh Fringe show, ‘Social Leprosy for Beginners and Improvers’.

A regular on popular comedy TV show ‘The Comedy Store’, make sure you catch Dave Fulton an innately funny guy from Seattle who quashes the stereotype that Americans have no sense of irony.

Ben Norris is the cousin of ‘The Office’ star Martin Freeman – dry wit clearly runs in the family. Ben is a regular on the UK headline comedy circuit and also regularly writes and performs for TV programmes such as ‘The Stand up Show’ and ‘8 out of 10 Cats’.

Also added to the bill is Jon Richardson who has gone from strength to strength by supporting Alan Carr on his 60 date tour and has already picked up the Chortle award for Best Breakthrough act 2008; the good humoured and witty Dan Atkinson will appear with his fresh and unpredictable take on stand up; Jason Wood, a well known contestant on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ but whose talents go further than that with his genius fusion of comedy and singing; Carey Marx with his trademark snappy one liners and material that is not for the faint-hearted is sure to delight and disgust in equal measure. Stephen Grant has already won a Chortle award for best compere this year and has established himself as one to watch on the current circuit; Hal Cruttenden with his award winning and world renowned ‘Hal’ routine and finally (for now) kids may know him as Archie the Inventor in Balamory but Miles Jupp is also an award winning funnyman with countless live performances and appearances on Paramount Comedy TV’s ‘The World Stands Up’.

Yet again another line-up of comedians at Latitude so funny you will have to take a break occasionally to get your breath back.

At night, the Comedy Arena gives way to the ultimate in feel good fun, the internationally famous Guilty Pleasures. Cheerleaders, mascots and G.A.Y-esque dance troupes in silver and purple lycra jump along to such killer tunes as Chicago’s ‘If You Leave Me Now’, and ELO’S ‘Sweet Talkin’ Woman’. It’s addictive, irresistible fun, fun, fun and somehow at 1am you really don’t feel so guilty as you throw yourself into an epic guitar solo on your knees. It’s Classic Guilty Pleasures on Friday night and Saturday night is Bugsy Malone night, so don’t forget your gangster and moll and get twirling those pearls.

Something like a phenomenon, but a lot more like an excuse to get smashed and rip clothes off strangers, Swap-A-Rama makes its debut at this year’s Saturday night at Latitude Festival. The rules are easy – arrive in a splendid overabundance of the latest fashion and dance your socks off. Every time the DJs ring the klaxon you must swap an item of clothing with someone next to you. You’re advised to arrive in clothes you don’t mind not ever seeing again! God knows what you’ll end up going home in!

 

 

The Music and Film Arena successfully entwines the alternative world of film and documentaries with live performances and mind-bending visuals that can transport you into a parallel world through sight and sound. Your senses will tingle and tickle with extra special treats from an eclectic mix of visual and musical art.

Latitude welcomes back Mark Lamarr who, in accordance with his Saturday late night show on Radio 2 – God’s Jukebox, will presents the best soul, ska, reggae, country, gospel and rap you never knew you loved. As well as DJ-ing, Lamarr has especially selected exciting performances from Manchester’s legendary punk band

Buzzcocks, who are commonly regarded as a seminal influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement and punk rock; the Son Of Soul Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed and The True Loves who’ll get your pulse racing and your spirit testifying; and lo-fi samples and broken down beats supplied from The Heavy.

Lamarr says of his involvement in Latitude: “A few years ago I started God’s Jukebox on Radio 2 to expose that world of (usually) non guitar music that’s barely represented on any frequencies. Everything from Calypso to Rap, 30’s Country to Egyptian Jazz, Gospel to Ska, Cole Porter to Wu Tang and above and beyond. Let’s pretend it’s set the airwaves alight and revel in the recognition of the myriad of unsung artistes that have fuelled my weekly 3 hours. The studio has welcomed legends Allen Toussaint, Tony Joe White, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, The Zombies, Buzzcocks and the unsigned Baby Charles, The Dirty Backbeats, The Surgeons and Little George to the BBC for a session and some of my favourites will be doing what they do best for me at Latitude. I’m going just to see Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed.”

Following the success of last year’s film programme at Latitude, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts is delighted to announce their involvement for a second year. The Music & Film Arena was full to the brim of exciting screenings, documentaries and discussions last year, courtesy of the involvement of the BAFTA including a Q&A session with Richard Curtis, an exclusive screening of This Is England and a special screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s very first silent black and white thriller The Lodger (1929). The Academy exists to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the viewing public, and with a full schedule to be announced BAFTA will once again bring a series of exciting events to the festival.

Amanda Berry, BAFTA Chief Executive said: “Last year we organised an outdoor film screening of Hitchcock’s silent thriller The Lodger with a live orchestra as well as events and screenings with BAFTA-winners Shane Meadows and Richard Curtis. This year we hope to programme an equally high-profile series of cinematic events to captivate and challenge the Latitude audience. Full details will be announced in the coming months.”

Also in the Music & Film Arena is musician Barry Adamson who was the bassist in Howard Devoto’s Magazine before hooking up with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in the 80’s. He has scored soundtracks for several films including ‘The Last Of England’, ‘Natural Born Killers’ and ‘The Beach’ as well as some of David Lynch’s films.

Chris Shepherd, who as well as his celebrated short ‘Dad’s Dead’, has worked on ‘Big Train’, ‘Nathan Barley’ and collaborated with David Shrigley on ‘Who I am and What I do’. In addition, Chris Shepherd will be curating at Latitude and bringing an afternoon of shorts, films, music and multi-talented artists.

Once again, the tent will open its doors to the Halloween Music And Film Club which will bring a full schedule of specifically chosen shorts, art and silent films and visuals, accompanied by live music, videos, dancers and DJ’s.

Keep your eye out for the many, many more films, shorts, documentaries, Q&A sessions and live music to be confirmed. The Music & Film Arena is an exhilarating corner of seeing and hearing wonderful-ness at Latitude Festival.

 

Sitting crossed-legged with a beer or a glass of wine in Suffolk’s now legendary library, is a Latitude experience you cannot miss. This cosy corner of the festival is a hub of compelling stories, inspirational discussions and raucous laughter. Many who pop their heads in will end up staying for hours, transfixed by the flights of fancy and comic genius of these book readings with a difference.

This year’s festival offers the absolute cream of the literary crop with many more to be announced over the coming months.

Running throughout the weekend and showcasing the very best in contemporary authors and guest speakers, the hippest and coolest literary event in the country Vox ‘n’ Roll returns for another year.
Readings from big name authors and rock ‘n’ roll writers together with well scripted and thought out music provides an alternative take on literature. With forums and discussions on music, albums, gigs, and the industry at large, Vox ‘n’ Roll is a hilarious and insightful Latitude must.

The phenomenal WordTheatre bring their storytelling magic to the Literary Arena. This non-profit organisation are dedicated to keeping the love of language and literature alive through the wonders of oral storytelling. They create and produce live events featuring literary works performed by world-class authors and big name actors. With salons in Los Angeles, New York and London, they are igniting a new generation of literature fans everywhere. The full cast and short story writers will be announced shortly.

The Literary Arena at Latitude wouldn’t quite be the same without the magnificent mayhem of Robin Ince and his unique literary comic genius. Bringing both good and bad books to life, Robin Ince’s legendary ‘Book Club’ of comics writers and performers will tell stories and bring you readings accompanied appropriately by saccharine and sublime soundtracks. A fantastic concept in wisecracking wit, ‘Book Club’ will take place exclusively at Latitude this year.

Robins Ince’s hilarious ‘School for Gifted Children’ is the best lecture you ever had; splintered and haphazard, like the popular children’s magazine of knowledge, ‘Look and Learn’. Like a Show-and-Tell, with fewer dinosaurs and more words, some of which will be songs. Oh, and Robin will be bringing some very special guests, featuring brand new characters from Steward Lee, Jo Neary, Josie Long, Wayne Shepherd, Ben Goldacre, Bridget Christie, Martin White, Gavin Osborn and a cacophony of ukuleles and xylophones and most definitely a triangle.

Latitude welcomes back Marcus Brigstocke: and The Early Edition.
Recognisable from just about every other TV show and arguably the voice of Radio 4, Brigstocke’s recent stand-up includes last year’s excellent ‘Planet Corduroy’. Marcus and his guests will present an insightful and witty daily digest of current affairs in the media, over the weekend.

The calibre of writers confirmed so far make the Literary Arena at Latitude a highlight of the Literary events calendar and a very exciting place to be.

Perhaps one of the most revered contemporary British authors of a generation, Iain Banks has earned a fanatical fan-base with his challenging and often controversial novels. From his notorious debut ‘The Wasp Factory’, his prolific career has been both populist and experimental, earning him critical and commercial acclaim. Reading from his most recent fictional novel, ‘The Steep Approach to Garbadale’, believed to be his best work since ‘The Crow Road’ and short-listed for the Catherine Mclean Prize, Banks is a thrilling addition to the Latitude Literary Arena.

Recently awarded the CBE for his services to literature and drama, Hanif Kureishi’s body of work, from plays to novels to screenplays and stories are nothing short of inspirational. Dealing with issues of diverse ethnicity, sexuality and politics, while more recently focusing on the finer points of personal relationships, Kureishi’s engaging and satirical writings have won him a plethora of awards including the Whitbread First novel prize for his bestseller, ‘The Buddha Of Suburbia’. Kureishi will be performing readings from his latest novel, ‘Something To Tell You’, a story centring on Jamal and his friends encroaching middle age, as well as conducting talks and a Q&A.

Multi-award winner A L Kennedy, known for a characteristically dark tone, a blending of realism and fantasy, and for her serious approach to her work – will perform readings from her ‘Costa Book Of The Year 2007’ ‘Day’. ‘Day’ is a wonderful piece of storytelling: the freight of history and humanity carried effortlessly by the beauty of the writing, a superbly realised novel about the brutal simplicities of war.

Kennedy also contributes to columns and reviews in UK and European newspapers and writes essays for BBC Radio and manages to be an Associate Professor in Creative Writing with Warwick University. If this wasn’t enough talent, Kennedy also performs as a stand-up comedian!

Another essential British author whose debut novel, ‘Trainspotting’, played an influential role in mid-nineties Brit culture, Irvine Welsh brings to Latitude readings from his latest book, ‘If You Liked School, You’ll Love Work’. His books, often written phonetically in the dialect of Edinburgh’s urban underclass accent from the Leith estates that he grew up in, are smart, witty and frequently staggeringly shocking to the core. His performance will be simply unmissable.

British author and freelance journalist Mike Gayle and author of ‘My Legendary Ex-girlfriend’, presents his heart-warming and funny ‘Wish You Were Here’; a story about three 35 year olds holding onto their youth by going on a 18-30 holiday. It’s a witty and wise tale about love and friendship and how seven days in the sun can change your life forever. Mike also freelances for FHM and The Sunday Times style magazine. He will be bringing his bad rules show to Latitude.

Latitude welcomes documentary-maker, stand-up comedian and celebrated writer Dave Gorman to the Literary Arena. For Latitude, Dave Gorman brings his current book ‘America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip In Search of Non-Corporate USA’ which tells the true story of his quest to travel coast to coast across the United States of America to discover whether it is possible to make the journey without ever patronising any corporate or chain-style businesses and to only give money to privately owned businesses. The documentary version won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Austin Film Festival 07. Other accolades include Best One Person Show at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Colorado for his ‘Googlewhack Adventures’ stand-up, for which every date sold out, and the Sunday Times Number One Best Seller for the book version. He was also listed in the Observers Top 50 funniest acts in British comedy. And not forgetting his Perrier Award nominated show ‘Are You Dave Gorman?’ which followed his international search for fellow Dave Gormans. A unique talent that simply cannot be missed.

Political activist, stand-up comedian and author Mark Thomas the man with the facts and a technique for political probing that could cause a mini riot in the House of Commons is a welcomed addition to Literary Arena. Mark Thomas has lobbied, demonstrated, protested, fought and made a mockery of politicians and corporate companies and is mostly renowned for his political comedy shows, ‘The Mark Thomas Comedy Product’ and ‘The Mark Thomas Product’ on Channel 4. He is also a regular on Radio 4, has presented many Dispatches programmes, and has had many articles published in the New Statesman, Guardian and Sunday Times. Presently working on his new book ‘Belching Out The Devil’ an investigation into the global corporation Coca Cola. He has won the Time Out and Perrier Award for his stand-up comedy as well as being recognised for his political campaigning, including: Kurdish National Congress Medal of Honour (2002), UN Global Human Rights Defender Award (2004), MediActivist Awards (MISTY) (2005) and is the Guinness World Record Holder for Most Number of Political Demonstrations in 24 Hours.

Having headlined the Poetry Arena at last year’s Latitude, the legendary poet, author and playwright Simon Armitage comes to the Literary Arena performing readings from ‘Gig: The Life and Times of a Rock Star Fantasist’, published by Penguin at the beginning of April.

Armitage’s prolific work has earned him a wealth of awards including the Sunday Times Young Author of the Year, one of the first Forward Prizes and a Lannan Award for his poetry; and the Gold Award at the
2005 Spoken Word Awards for his recent dramatisation of The Odyssey, ‘Mister Heracles’, a version of the Euripides play ‘The Madness of Heracles and Jerusalem’.

Award-winning poet and author John Burnside will be reading from his new book ‘Glister’, which is out in May and published by Random House. Burnside’s previous work includes the Catherine Maclean award- winning, ‘The Devil’s Footprints’; a classic tale with an old- fashioned, gripping plot that incorporates all that Burnside loves best: geography, the neighbours, the way people’s lives go, and the way people’s other, secret lives turn out. A chilling and thrilling journey.

Daughter of painter Lucian Freud and great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud, Esther Freud has not only worked in television and theatre as both actress and writer, but has also penned novels that include ‘Hideous Kinky’ which was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, ‘Peerless Flats’, Gaglow’, ‘The Wild’ and ‘The Sea House’. Her recent book, ‘Love Falls’, is a coming-of-age tale, expertly realised and empathic. Financial Times journalist Gautam Malkani presents his critically applauded novel, ‘Londonstani’, a satirical look at South Asian extended-family psychodrama set in Hounslow and written in a mash up of text speak rude boy patter and Punjabi. It’s more than the hype that’s been heaped upon it.

A past health service employee and stand up comic queen, novelist, journalist and occasional radio “big gob”, Scottish born rom-com writer Jenny Colgan and her funny latest novel ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’, come to Latitude Festival. A regular writer for the Guardian, Colgan’s sharp wit and observational comment about anything and everything to do with TV, film and popular culture make her worth checking out.

Claudia Hammond’s ‘Emotional Rollercoaster’ explores nine universal emotions in turn and looks at the science behind them, combining the latest theories and discoveries from neuroscientists and psychologists with everyday human experience. In a highly entertaining and thought-provoking journey through the science of feelings, Emotional Rollercoaster asks how the brain and body interact to produce emotions, and what, if anything, we can do to harness them. The possibilities are far-reaching, from finding the perfume that make lovers fall at your feet to learning to cheat a lie detector! Claudia is also a columnist for Psychologies magazine and has written work for BBC Radio 4.

Chick-lit and film criticism collide in Antonia Quirke’s ‘Madame Depardieu and the Beautiful Strangers’. Quirke is a young film critic of eccentric brilliance who currently writes for the Guardian. She lives and breathes film, and cannot stop living her life through a viewfinder. This beautifully written, shamelessly honest and deeply comical account is about Quirke’s two parallel lives and her obsession with Hollywood actors describes how her fixations have thwarted her attempts at romantic fulfilment with a string of lesser, real men.

Stand-up comic, Sunday Times contributor and author of the hilarious book ‘Dad Rules’ and more recently the poignant ‘Dirty Angels’, Andrew Clover is a welcome addition to the Literary Arena. Andrew wrote ‘Dirty Angels’ in installments which were sent daily to his friend who was suffering from cancer. Aimed at teenagers who dress in skateboarding clothes and who like sneaking round to each others houses to smoke and listen to music, it’s described by Clover as a cross between Catcher In The Rye and Northern Lights.

Just when you thought every possible conspiracy theory had been exhausted by ‘The X-Files’ or ‘The Da Vinci Code’, along comes Jon Ronson’s ‘The Men Who Stare at Goats’. Acclaimed documentary maker and Guardian columnist, ‘The Men Who Stare at Goats’ is Ronson’s bizarre quest into “the most whacked-out corners of George W. Bush’s War on Terror,” as he puts it. Ronson is inspired when a man who claims to be a former U.S. military psychic spy tells him he has been reactivated following the 9-11 attack. Ronson decides to investigate.

His research leads him to the U.S. Army’s strange forays into extra- sensory perception and telepathy, which apparently included efforts to kill barnyard animals with nothing more than thought – a book that strikes a perfect balance between curiosity, incredulity, and humour.

Described by The Sun as a “madcap Scots genius”, Bill Drummond is a musician, music industry figure, writer and artist. He is best known as co-founder of the avant-garde pop group The KLF of the late eighties, K Foundation in the nineties and for burning a million pounds. He’s written several books including 1988’s infamous ‘The Manual (How to have a number one the easy way)’, ’45’ – a series of loosely related vignettes forming the rambling diary of one year. Drummond will read from his new book ‘Seventeen’.

Bassist from Joy Division and New Order, and co-owner of Manchester’s legendary club and music venue the Hacienda, Peter Hook recounts the tales in his hilarious book, ‘How Not To Run A Club’. Once the epicentre for Manchester’s revolutionary counter culture in the 80’s heyday, the Hacienda played host to riotous gigs and banging club nights. Bad management, bad decisions, and bad luck meant this piece of rock ‘n’ roll history is now a block of purpose built luxury apartments. Consider this a lesson in what not to do.

Co-presenter with Mark Radcliffe on Radio 2, Stuart Maconie brings ‘Pies and Prejudice: In Search of the North’ to Latitude. A humorous book that discusses the modern reality of the North of England (as opposed to the popular myths), Maconie, himself a ‘northerner’, uses his own childhood experiences alongside anecdotes from recent visits to illuminate the book. Stuart’s work extends to other media including a couple of screenplays for televison and films and has also written for a number of top music magazines including Q, Word Magazine and Mojo.

Ex-A&R man at London Records and Independiente during the Brit-pop period, John Niven uses his experiences in the dirty world of the music business in his first novel ‘Kill Your Friends’. ‘Kill Your Friends’ gladly hammers the final and needed nail into the coffin of self-serving and undignified spin that was ‘Cool Britannia’. It exposes a world that seethes alongside us and in which we all collude but whose nasty little machinery is rarely glimpsed. The novel is furiously, filthily funny; a must for anyone working in or trying to get into the music industry.

Receiving a wealth of press attention and awards for his debut ‘If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things’, Jon McGregor is an emerging gem of a writer. His latest novel ‘So Many Ways To Begin’ shines. His poetic and easy-to-read style and his sharp observations make this book an exhilarating read.

Gregory Norminton will be performing readings from his gripping book ‘Serious Things’. From the acclaimed writer of ‘Ghost Portrait’ and ‘The Ship Of Fools’, beautifully and intelligently written, ‘Serious Things’ is a tale of vengeance, morality and the complex paths that can lead to redemption.

 

The very best in contemporary performance poetry are flocking to the largest Poetry Event in Europe: The Poetry Arena at Latitude Festival.

Altering many people’s perceptions as to how poetry readings can be, this centre of comedy sketches, Hip Hop, slam poets, raconteurs, spoken word, lyricism, storytelling, rappers and much much more, make this tent an essential part of the Festival. At the Poetry Arena new talent is featured heavily with the addition of the ‘New Voices of Poetry’ section. This is an opportunity for up and coming poets to showcase their talent on stage. Expect some of the country’s brightest poetry hopes at this year’s event.

Co-programmed by Tania Harrison and poet Luke Wright, Latitude welcomes the following funny, satirical, hard-hitting, absurd, bizarre, and witty poets to this year’s event:

British poet, playwright and freelance writer Carol Ann Duffy, OBE and CBE, headlines the Poetry Arena. Carol Ann Duffy’s poems provide voices for an extraordinary number of contemporary characters, including a fairground psychopath, a newborn baby, a literary biographer, disinherited American Indians, and even a ventriloquist’s dummy. Her recent award-winning published work includes ‘Another Night Before Christmas’, ‘Moon Zoo Macmillan’, ‘Rapture Picador’ and ‘The Lost Happy Endings’. An exceptional addition to the weekend’s festivities.

English poet and dramatist Adrian Mitchell’s work demonstrates a powerful social conscience and he has been described as the “shadow poet laureate.” He has written large numbers of love poems and political poems, and frequently does public readings for left-wing causes. Satire is his speciality. Asked by the establishment to write a poem about the Prince of Wales and his special relationship with the people of Wales, he contributed the short masterpiece : “Royalty is a neurosis./ Get well soon.”

Perhaps his best known poem is ‘To Whom It May Concern’, about the Vietnam war, which was first read in Trafalgar Square in 1964. A revised version, referring not only to Vietnam, but also to Iraq and Venezuela was read at the Royal Albert Hall on 25 September 2005 as part of the Poetry Olympics Twenty05 Festival, organised by Michael Horovitz.

Poet & stand-up John Hegley, provides a jugular severing of song, poetry and insect life with his new show ‘Letters To An Earwig’; a feast of spoken worms and broken promises. Musician Keith Moore, who regularly collaborates in the band John Hegley and The Popticians, will be joining John on stage; an act not to be missed.

In addition to his appearance over at the Literary Arena, Simon Armitage makes a welcomed return to the Poetry Arena; his headlining performance last year being one of the most talked about events of the weekend. The list of awards and prizes for his poetry and novels are seemingly endless and the depth of his prolific work make his slot undoubtedly a highlight of this year’s festival as well.

Another artist straddling both the Literary and Poetry Arenas, John Burnside will pitch up and perform some of his multi-award winning poetry. ‘The Hoop’, his first collection of poetry, won a Scottish Arts Council Book Award and other poetry collections include ‘Feast Days’, winner of the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize and ‘The Asylum Dance’, winner of the Whitbread Poetry Award and shortlisted for both the Forward Poetry Prize and the T. S. Eliot Prize. Burnside’s most recently collection of poetry, ‘The Good Neighbour’ was shortlisted for the 2005 Forward Poetry Prize (Best Collection).

The sharp tongued Attila the Stockbroker is a high energy social surrealist songwriter and punk poet to boot. In his career he has performed over 2500 concerts, published four books of poems and released 29 recordings (some of which with his band ‘Barnstormer’).
Expect readings from Attila the Stockbroker’s latest book of poems ‘My Poetic Licence’ and more.

The Poetry Arena wouldn’t be the same without curator Luke Wright, firm Latitude favourite and his sharp-witted poetry collective Aisle16. Luke is the true alternative laureate. The leading light of a new wave of stand-up poet taking the noble art by the scruff of the neck and turning it into something that can delight audiences at comedy clubs, indie gigs and literary festivals. Wright mixes up poetry and comedy as he cuts a swathe through the idiocies and obsessions of contemporary Britain and explains his plans to reform the most brown-nosed and out-dated job in poetry. Verbal and visual gags collide with his trademark acerbic verse; Wright is one of UK poetry’s heavyweights.

Daljit Nagra whose debut collection ‘Look We Have Coming to Dover!’ relates to the experience of British-born Indians and often employs language that imitates the English spoken by Indian immigrants whose first language is Punjabi. Daljit, whose work has been published in The Rialto, Poetry London and the Poetry Review and whose debut collection brought much positive media praise, has won both the Forward Poetry Prize for best single poem (‘Look We Have Coming to Dover!’) and Best First Collection.

Using her winning combination of strong images and lyrics, Irish born Aoife Mannix offers her collection of lyrically intense poetry with gentle, self-deprecating humour. Her poems have been published in various anthologies such as Short Fuse: The Global Anthology of New Fusion Poetry, The Book of Hope, In Our Own Words, 100 Poets Against The War and Gargoyle as well as numerous magazines and e-zines.

Local boy Joe Dunthorne is a graduate of the Creative Writing Masters at UEA, where he was awarded the Curtis Brown Prize. His poetry has been featured in The Guardian, on Channel 4, BBC Radio 3 and his short fiction has been read on Radio 4. Dunthorne’s debut novel ‘Submarine’ is to be published in five languages this spring. See what all the fuss is about at Latitude!

The Sunday Times have described them as “Highlights of the spoken word scene. Created for a new breed of British poetry.” Aisle16 have become one of the most sought after poetry acts in the UK. The collective now including Luke Wright, Ross Sutherland, Joel Stickley and Chris Hicks (who all perform solo as well as in Aisle16) started their humble beginnings in running a poetry club above a communist theme pub. From there they have headlined the UK’s major spoken-word events (Apples & Snakes, Cheltenham Festival, Manchester Poetry Festival), and captivated crowds at Latitude for the last two years.

Their performances are nothing less than brilliant so make sure you get a prime spot in the Poetry Arena for their award-winning recitals. “I refuse to perform with them anymore because they make me look like a c**t.” John Cooper Clarke

He is performing alongside Phill Jupitus, who whilst best known for his stand up, radio and television appearances, started his career as Porky The Poet – a performance poet with political undertones. Phill will be performing some of his best poems which mix his animated and comical personality with more serious issues.

The comic, bizarre and wonderful Teen Angst will take Latitude by storm. Dubbing itself as a celebration of ‘really bad’ poetry, Teen Angst is a hilarious collection of hideous poems people wrote as teenagers put together by Sara Bynoe who will be coming over from Canada especially to perform at Latitude; Irish born poet, writer and promoter Niall O’Sullivan with his original voice, and a keen eye for comic irony has become a 20th Century poetry bestseller with his collections ‘You’re Not Singing Anymore’ and ‘Ventriloquism for Monkeys’ and Aisle16’s Joel Stickley who has not only won the Glastonbury slam but who has performed across the air-waves and been published in many poetry publications provides Latitude with his unique ability to twist the narrative and to turn the obscure into the profound is outstanding.

Throughout the weekend, the Poetry Arena will also play host to the beat-boxing veteran of the spoken word scene and slam poetry champion John Berkavitch; the award winning childlike, awkwardly funny character, Rachel Pantechnicon; winner of the BBC 3 ‘TV Slam; Kat Francois whose strong reputation as a fearsome performer saw her become the first winner of the BBC 3 ‘TV Slam Poets’ show held in October 2004; fiction crew-member and writer and performer, Tim Clare who presented the Channel 4 series ‘How To Get A Book Deal’ is promoting his first novel, ‘Joshu Replied’. Spouting filthy hyperkinetic doggerel from what reason insists must be his mouth, he continues to baffle and appal audiences all over the UK.

Founding member of the live poetry collective Aisle16, winner of the North v South, the North-West Second’s Out Slam and the UK v Canada Slam, Ross Sutherland is a performance poet master. He is currently writing a thesis on computer-generated poetry and you can expect a preview of his new material at this year’s Latitude. And another Aisle16 member appearing at Latitude is the sweeter than an A-bomb on Nike Town and card-carrying member of the cynic’s inquisition Chris Hicks with his staggering combination of narrative and big finales at 300 mph.

With celebrated poems such as ‘Kevin’s an ‘erbert’ and ‘Never Buy Drugs at a Festival’ amongst his repertoire Byron Vincent has taken the UK poetry scene by storm and is a welcome addition to the Poetry Arena. Joining him is stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker, Elvis McGonagall; Dave Morgan will present Hovis In Wonderland – a tribute to the late, great Hovis Presley and the writings of the iconic Bolton performer who filled the space between stand-up comedy, alternative cabaret and performance poetry before his untimely death in 2005; the four-person strong Hip Hop inspired A Poem InBetween People perform their “poetry for the masses”; Yanny Mac and his pikey poetry was brilliant fun at last year’s Latitude and this year he returns with a new performance as a Domestic Goddess; South London’s spoken word artist and illustrator Dockers MC whose poetry boast a treasury of words, feeding her audiences with monologues of characters she has created and selected by The Times newspaper as one the top 10 Literary talents for 2008.

Multi-talented ‘Cockney Hell’ poet Tim Wells who supported The Libertines back in the day comes to Latitude, alongside: Bristolian Nathan Filer – a talented fellow mixing Poetry and spoken word with sounds, music and film; joint winner of the 2004 Manchester Poetry Festival Slam Andy Craven-Griffiths with his wonderfully crafted poetry and spoken word performance; Norwich based poet Hannah Walker will showcase some more of her published work and fellow local boy John Osborne who graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2004 brings his performance poetry to the weekend.

Describing themselves as Up-beat, Up-tempo performance poetry to a disco beat, Project Adorno are a double act with a difference that are sure to raise a few eyebrows as well as a few smiles. The surreal punk, funk, catholic, electric comedy phenomenon that is Mik Artistik also comes to Latitude. Part comedian, singer, painter and performance artist Mik Artistik is unpredictable, unnerving and with the tendency to incorporate his audience in the act, impossible to ignore. Norwich local Josh Weller’s work oozes with honesty, poetry and sentiment and above all his acclaimed finely crafted pop songs. Josh made his name on the local scene with his band The Availables, and is definitely on the rise.

And finally, for now, Tim Turnbull – writer in Residence at HMP Edinburgh – brings his award winning slam poetry; previous member of Aisle16, and punk romanticist Paul MacJoyce delivers his beefy rhymes and rhythms and experimental forms and words and expect a staggering lyrical maturity and social awareness from 20 year old Kate Tempest who has turned many heads in the UK already.

In the Poetry Arena new talent is featured heavily with the addition of the ‘New Voices of Poetry’ section. This is an opportunity for up and coming poets to showcase their talent on stage. Last year acts included Croc E Moses, an extraordinary spoken-word performer who uses his native South African rhythms and 2006 winner of the Poetry Society’s Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award and Londonwide Slam Championship, 13 year old Jamal Msebele.

For this year’s event some of the country’s brightest poetry hopes have been confirmed.

Latitude continues its dedication to discovering the freshest new talent with its New Voices section. This year showcases some bright new poets that are ready to take your breath away. Drew Taylor is the young Glaswegian with a sharp tongue. Jo Overfield is multi-talented, boasting skills in writing, scriptwriting, playing guitar and poetry. Having lived the London life she now resides in Essex and is an organiser for Sundown poets events as well as a freelance writer. This new local talent Patrick Lappin studied literature and creative writing at UEA and Kingston University and he now teaches poetry workshops as well as performing his poems around Norwich.

Singer songwriter Alex Sheppard spent the last year busking around Europe with guitar in hand and even graced the same stage as a ladyboy cabaret act in Thailand! The NME have called her an ‘anti- folk wonder’ so be sure to catch Sheppard’s tuneful harmonies in the Poetry Arena. Yemisi Blake has been writing poetry and short stories since the age of fifteen and is now the emerging Artist In Residence at the Southbank Centre. He’s been commissioned by The Wellcome Trust to write poems based on Charles Darwin and his theories, and has been published in Rising Poetry Magazine. An incredible un-missable new talent.

Using songs, poetry and storytelling, Francesca Beard introduces us to characters from the Chinese horoscope in the Animal Olympics. It’s 2008 and Rabbit, Dragon, Rat, Rooster, and many other animals, must compete in their own Chinese Olympic games. Who do you want to win? Come and learn about the characters and choose your favourite animal in this exciting kids show.

They will be joined by the young and talented Penny Sailor who is inspired by Roald Dahl; a name you will see on the British Hip Hop circuit, Yam Boy who will be mixing his musical flow with his highly praised lyrical ability; the observational poetry of Hull based Joe Hakim whose poem ‘Spending Time At The Crime Scene’ is sure to captivate the audience; and Poeticat with her poems based on experiences, dreams and best friends who joins the new voices line up along with the weird and wonderful voice of Ventriloquist.

With so many more acts to be announced Latitude’s Stand-up Poetry Tent is once again looking to be the hot spot of the festival.

 

Latitude Festival in partnership with London’s Arcola Theatre are extremely excited to announce the greening of this year’s Theatre Arena. This will be the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered festival stage. Arcola will be providing state of the art low energy LED lighting and a Hydrogen Fuel Cell to power the stage. The fuel cell operates almost silently and will produce nothing but electricity and clean water. Arcola Theatre is a converted factory in East London and one of the UK’s leading independent venues. This partnership with Latitude is part of Arcola Theatre’s extensive range of sustainability activities, collectively referred to as the Arcola Energy project which in partnership with the Greening London Theatre Initiative is driving the eco-cultural frontier.

The Theatre Arena at Latitude is a buzzing hotbed of creativity and inspiration, hosting a wealth of bespoke productions and performances exclusive to the festival. Bringing some of the biggest names in contemporary, physical, classical, performance and local theatre to the Suffolk coast; the Theatre Arena really has something for everyone, provoking thought, emotions, laughs and entertainment all weekend long.

The Royal Court Theatre and Paines Plough join forces to present plays from Mark Ravenhill’s epic cycle Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat. The plays began life at 2007’s Edinburgh Festival as ‘Ravenhill For Breakfast’ and form a collage of very different scenes, with each taking its title from another classic work. The series of 20 minute plays explore the personal and political effects of war on modern life, and whilst they are individual stand-alone plays they have connected themes and ideas. In ‘Women Of Troy’ for example, an American from the Midwest is on TV asking: “Why bomb us? We’re the good guys.” In ‘Crime and Punishment’, a soldier interrogates a native woman in an occupied zone; and in ‘The Mother’, Haley is visited by two soldiers who are going to break the news of her son’s death.

Playwright and contributor to the Guardian’s arts pages Ravenhill has been described as one of the most controversial and successful writers to emerge in the 1990’s and these plays are a welcome addition to Latitude’s Theatre Arena.

As with the last two years, a wealth of bespoke productions and performances will be in abundance once again. In addition to other shows yet to be announced, The Bush Theatre are presenting ’50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’ – a show written especially for Latitude 08.

Through the Latitude website people can anonymously submit their hilarious, devastating, embarrassing or heartbreaking stories. These stories will inspire five of the most exciting writers in the country to create a series of short plays – exclusively unveiled in the Theatre Arena at the festival. The Bush’s Literary Manager Abigail Gonda says: “Latitude is an incredible opportunity for emerging theatre talent to showcase their wares and entertain a heaving tent of excited festival goers with the most brilliant new plays. It is a completely unique forum for new plays to be performed and it’s opened up our work to a whole new audience. Latitude is a veritable smorgasboard of wonderful artistic and creative expression to be experienced. Music, comedy, poetry, theatre and film collide in its beautiful surroundings.”

Nabokov theatre company returns to the Latitude Festival for the third year running with new work commissioned specifically for the festival from the UK’s most exciting playwrighting talent. Nabokov is a new writing theatre company dedicated to commissioning, developing and producing backlash theatre – new work for the stage that offers an antagonistic response to contemporary agendas, trends and events. The company’s current world premiere production of Artefacts by Mike Bartlett runs at The Bush Theatre, London, until 22 March prior to a National Tour and Off-Broadway run in New York, and has been described as “Dazzling” (Daily Telegraph), “Remarkable” (Financial Times) and “Outstanding” (The Stage). In the past two years nabokov has commissioned new plays for Latitude from writers including Mike Bartlett, Joel Horwood, Duncan Macmillan and Jack Thorne.

The Pleasance team up with Latitude Festival again this summer, to bring sunny revellers the chance to see the pick of what’s hot from the cutting edge London venue, as well as a sneak preview of brand new material. Finishing touches are being put to this year’s offering, but so far confirmed are underground word-of-mouth hit theatre group Factory, who have lit up many a London venue with their irreverent take on Hamlet, where neither the casting, nor the props are decided until the audience walk through the door; festival goers will be invited to introduce the weirdest and wildest props to the action, while the actors will incorporate them into the Shakespearean tragedy.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Out Of Your Knowledge was written specifically for the intimate woodland space it will be performed in.

Certainly Menagerie, the prolific new-writing troupe, will provide atmosphere to this dramatic journey in search of the poet John Clare. Also starring in the line-up will be a fantastic comedy offering from the Pleasance 2008 programme so for those wanting a sample of excellent theatrical and comedy treats should look no further!

Sketch group Fat Tongue return triumphantly to Latitude Festival who’s performances last year had the Theatre Arena erupting with laughter. Sophie Black, Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns write and perform a unique brand of sketch comedy. They create a warped world in which Hollywood stars glass each other in Faliraki, public school backpackers travel round Middle Earth on their gap year and designer couples adopt babies with hues to compliment their wardrobes. They’ve been compared to Reeves and Mortimer, The League of Gentlemen and Leigh Francis and were described by the Sunday Times as “a real discovery”. A TV series clearly beckons.

Birds Of Britain are delighted to present ‘We Are Joni Mitchell’, a comedy with music set at Latitude 2008, in which three strangers meet after the suddenly cancelled appearance of their heroine Joni.

Through an increasingly competitive exploration of her songs and lyrics, each seeks to prove to the others that she is the ultimate Joni authority and fan: one physically, one musically, and one Yiddishly. (warning: contains interpretative dance). The Birds are actress and writer Sophie Dix who has numerous television and stage credits (frequent series regular on TV plus appearances at the National Theatre, Royal Court and many more.) She is also an accomplished screenwriter with many produced credits; musician and composer Rebecca Thorn who has just released her first independent jazz album, ‘This is Why’, is a regular radio contributor, and has also appeared as an actress at the National Theatre and Royal Court; comic actress and writer Philippa Fordham who has performed in a range of comedy shows on stage, radio, television and film, including the very popular “Fordham & Lipson” on BBC Radio 4 and writer- director Laline Paull who works in theatre, film, and television.

Battersea’s Theatre503 bring a collection of their plays to Latitude 2008. Theatre503 is the home of fearless, irreverent, brave and provocative new plays. Working with many of the foremost artists of their generation, they push at the boundaries of what theatre can be and pose the unanswerable questions of our time.

Theatre503 presents four new emerging writers and their individual and expansive takes on the word and concept of ‘Latitude’ and its various definitions. Bad Penny/Theatre503 present ‘Up The Gary’, the story of a Gary Glitter impersonator who finds the inspiration in his life start to destroy it as the media perception of his hero changes. A moving and heart breaking piece of karaoke theatre.

With Latitude’s core ethos providing a wealth of inspiration for many of the artists and companies involved in the festival, it’s unsurprising that Latitude has left its mark on its visitors. Tim Price, who came to the very first Latitude felt so inspired by the event and the Theatre Arena especially that he set up his own theatre company ‘Dirty Protest’ in order to establish a healthy and burgeoning theatre scene in Wales. Latitude is honoured that Tim will be bringing Dirty Protest to this year’s event.

Usually found at The George Tavern Theatre in London, the new writing collective DryWrite pitch up at the Theatre Arena at Latitude and bring you ‘Guilty’. 7 writers receive a newspaper headline of a real crime committed in our crazy world. 7 writers seek to justify that crime from the criminal’s viewpoint. They are already condemned by the law but can they be forgiven by humanity? YOU DECIDE.

In true DryWrite style, the audience will vote with their feet. DryWrite is a theatre company inspired by the power of anonymity. They support writers to step out of their comfort zones: to experiment, to innovate and to play with subject, form and space.

As well as making the whole Theatre Arena run carbon neutrally the Arcola Theatre Presents: The Miniaturists. A regular writer-led event at Arcola dedicated to bringing you short but perfectly formed plays. Packed with original pieces from an array of talented writers, new and established. Each piece is no longer than 15 minutes, and the dizzying mix makes every event as various and unpredictable as life itself. Arcola produces a regular programme of its own shows and has staged work by some of the best actors, writers and directors in the world.

 

Latitude’s quirky little cabaret house is life-changing and mind- altering. You’ll be enticed in and changed for life. Well, once you’ve experienced the highs of a Burlesque striptease there’s no turning back! Pure outrageous fun is the emphasis here. Free yourself from inhibitions and satisfy all those urges and fantasies you’ve been harboring. This surreal bordello of surprises and spectacular stage shows is visually rich, beautiful and bizarre, the shows titillate, torment and amuse in equal measures.
Confirmed so far are:

Nathaniel-de-Ville’s VauxhallVille Cabaret – a great weekly spit ‘n’ sawdust cabaret show from South London. With assistance from Timberlina and the resident burlesque bears ‘Bearlesque’, this fast, friendly and hedonistically slapstick cabaret show sticks two fingers up at pretentious performance and wallows happily in no-frills fizzy pop. With themes like: Drag Show – everyone is invited to discover their inner drag queen and Sex Show where Timberlina leads an olde worlde sex workshop, Bear Justin does a ‘private dance’ & Fancy Chance helps adjudicate a strip slam – there really is nowhere quite like VauxhallVille.

“Vauxhallville is insane, hilarious and most of all entertaining – the most unique night out on the scene!” Scene Out

 

Latitude is overjoyed to announce the involvement of Sadler’s Wells – the dynamic and contemporary dance theatre venue. From cutting-edge performance to mainstream contemporary dance, tango to tap and flamenco to family shows, the joy of movement and celebration of dance are always at the heart of Sadler’s Wells. It is the epicentre for dance in the UK, bringing the widest forms of world-class international and UK dance to London audiences.

For the first time Sadler’s Wells will be presenting work on a specially designed stage at sunset on the lake at Latitude. In keeping with the range of work currently flowing through the theatre’s programme the mixed line up includes European hip hop, classical Indian Kathak, and UK contemporary dance in a rare slice of modern choreographic life.

Speaking about Sadler’s Wells presentation of dance On The Lake at Latitude, Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and Chief Executive says: “I am really delighted for Sadler’s Wells to be able to take a leap out of the theatre and into the wild outdoors at Latitude. It’s absolutely the right time for these dynamic dance artists to be part of such a rich festival, especially in such a setting. All the dancers will have swimming proficiency badges….’

Sadler’s Wells is a well-established producing house committed to producing, commissioning and presenting works of the highest standard and ground-breaking collaborations on an international scale, including the award-winning zero degrees and PUSH. The theatre is dedicated to working with celebrated artists, performers and companies at the forefront of dance, many of whom are Associate Artists and resident companies of the theatre, including Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Matthew Bourne and his company New Adventures, Wayne McGregor and his company Random Dance, Russell Maliphant, Jasmin Vardimon, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt (aka the Ballet
Boyz) and Jonzi D.

Drawing inspiration from Latitude’s beautiful old oak woodland and winding lake, one of last year’s musical highlights returns to Latitude this summer. The orchestral brilliance of The Irrepressibles left many astounded by their concert and this year the 12-strong orchestra will be performing three brand new pieces of music from this truly magnificent setting.

 

Small, hidden and tucked away. The joy of finding it, the joy of experiencing it. Winding through the enchanted woods of Henham Park can bring a variety of exciting discoveries. In 2006 it was late night only. In 2007 it becomes a stage to be found in the day and the night. Hosting the intimate and surreal in the daylight hours and partying dance in the night. 2008 sees this amazing area turn into almost a woodland festival of its own.

After two hugely successful year’s at Latitude, the acclaimed dialogue artist Karl James brings to 2008’s festival even more Intimate Conversations. For those who like waking up in the morning, festival goers can take time away from the craziness, sit quietly in the woods and lose themselves in a series of extraordinary and private conversations made public; tenderly edited and crafted. The voices you hear are genuine; the conversations are moving and disarmingly honest. The themes of pain, loneliness and joy are things that people normally find it hard to talk about. But not here… Listen to Anne the Polar explorer talking about the pain of divorce, Yvette the shop assistant talking about why she cuts herself every day with a scalpel, the doctor who believes disease is humanity’s friend or Anjelo, who suffered severe burns in a fire-bomb attack… and calls it the best thing that ever happened to him. As a special innovation for Latitude, this year some of the conversations will be set to music by Eberg and Bird’s Janie Price.

The ancient trees, the lush green fields, the winding lake and of course Latitude’s own art arenas lend themselves perfectly for inspiring and displaying individual pieces of art. Some of Latitude’s most iconic images are of these displays; the 200 multi-coloured sheep that graze lazily by the lake, the over-sized opened book that entices you into the Literary Arena and of course the tree-hung paintings deep in the woodland. Lavish artists will be up to their old tricks again for this year’s event, making sure there are constant little surprises and treats waiting at every turn.

TICKET INFORMATION
Weekend tickets £130 plus booking fees.
Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £55 plus booking fee.
Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping.
Days include car parking only.
C/Card line 0870 060 3775
Or online at www.festivalrepublic.com, www.seetickets.com, www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For a full list of National and regional outlets please visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk

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Charlie Caplowe 020-7792-9400
[email protected]
Dani Rutherford [email protected]
Anthea [email protected]
Dan Griffiths [email protected]

 

For the past two years, the Latitude festival has been the highlight of Uncut’s summer, and we’re thrilled to be involved again in 2008. The bands are invariably fantastic – not least, we have to say, from those who appear on the Uncut Stage. But the Latitude experience is about far more than music. With its brilliantly-programmed book, film, comedy and theatre arenas, the festival is a relaxed and compelling celebration of all the culture that Uncut holds dear. The atmosphere is perfect. The setting is unrivalled. And the raves in the woods are worth staying up all night for. Honestly, we couldn’t ask for more from a festival – roll on July!

BBC Radio 4 was there at the very first Latitude Festival and is delighted to be coming back for the third year bringing with it more programmes than ever. Each year audiences were queuing over the fields to watch live recordings. New shows for this year include Just A Minute with Nicholas Parsons, Bespoken Word (our performance poetry show), and live on Sunday morning BBC Radio 4’s flagship news programme Broadcasting House. These will join returning shows such as Loose Ends and Poetry Please with Roger McGough.

This summer PIMM’S® – everyone’s favourite summer drink – is going for laughs at this year’s Latitude Festival. It’s time to sit back, enjoy a glass of your favourite summer drink and get ready to chuckle your heart out this July in the Pimm’s comedy arena. In addition to the laughs at the Latitude Festival, the clever chaps at PIMM’S have teamed up with Festival Republic and come up with a brand new event – a fabulous five day festival of fun in September, to be held at a location in central London featuring nothing but the best of comedy talent, more details to be announced later. For more information and to find out more about Pimm’s this summer visit: www.anyoneforpimms.com

Aspall are delighted to be returning to Latitude, this time with their Cyder Barn; a replica of the original Cyder House at Aspall Hall, dating back to 1728. Aspall produces a range of multi award-winning super-premium Suffolk Cyders, Speciality Vinegars and fine English Apple Juice at its site in Debenham, Suffolk. The company is now run by the eighth generation of the Chevallier Guild. All Aspall products are made without compromise and combine the experience and expertise of production, handed down through the family, with the latest in technological developments, to ensure all products maintain their consistently superior quality and flavour. There are no concentrates, additives, preservatives or water in any of our products and every product batch is tested and passed by a family member before it leaves the Cyder House.

This year, Penguin Classics is proud to bring the Penguin Classics library to Latitude, out on display in its full glory, for everyone to pick up the books and leaf through them at their leisure. The Penguin Classics library incorporates over 1,500 books spanning 2,000 years of literature. And what makes a Penguin Classic a classic? Simple. It has to be one of the ‘best books ever written’. And that doesn’t mean ladies with parasols strolling through Victorian gardens admiring the roses. It means love – at its most enthralling and its most heartbreaking. It means the best politics, psychology and philosophy since ancient civilization. It means the darkest criminal minds, the cheekiest minxes and the most inspiring heroes ever committed to paper. Sort of like Latitude really but with the creative writing spanning 2000 years.