Imrie and Johnson to headline Huddersfield Literature Festival

The full line-up for the Huddersfield Literature Festival has been revealed, with actress Celia Imrie and poet Linton Kwesi Johnson headlining. 

The theme of this year’s festival, which takes place from 23rd March to 2nd April, is music’, to tie-in with the Kirklees Year of Music 2023.

Also on the programme are the million-bestselling Yorkshire novelists Milly Johnson and Linda Green, actor and novelist Paterson Joseph and the shadow secretary of state for levelling up, Lisa Nandy. 

Poetry is strongly featured with performances by Patience Agbabi, Jason Allen-Paisant, Helen Mort and Attila the Stockbroker. Locally based poets include Poetry Slam host Rose Condo, workshop tutor Sharena Lee Satti and Chérie Taylor Battiste, who is working with the soul singer Omar Lye-Fook to present a multi-arts performance at the festival launch. Further music events include a performance from Balbir Singh Dance Company, plus rock critic John Aizlewood on his new book, Radiohead: Life in a Glasshouse (Palazzo Editions).

A host of events, talks and workshops for all ages will take place as part of the festival, which is renewing its focus on accessibility for 2023 with hybrid events as well as live subtitling and BSL for some of the talks. 

Festival director Michelle Hodgson said: “We’re proud to once again champion a diverse and representative range of talent at the festival, from leading actors to novelists and poets. We have already voiced our commitment to the #KeepFestivalsHybrid initiative and this year we are working with Kirklees Local TV to increase our hybrid and online provision, to broaden our reach and promote accessibility.”

The festival is supported by funding from the Arts Council, Kirklees Year of Music 2023, the University of Huddersfield and a number of sponsors. To browse the full programme, visit: www.huddlitfest.org.uk