THE 16th annual Henley Literary Festival will be held at the Kenton Theatre for the first time since 2018.

The event, which will take place from Saturday, October 1 to Sunday, October 9, will be in-person and online.  

It is returning to the theatre in New Street having previously set attendance records with speakers such as Roddy Doyle, Sue Perkins, John Sentamu, Jilly Cooper and Brian Blessed.

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The Baillie Gifford Marquee, named after the event’s headline sponsor, will also be returning for a second year as the largest venue having hosted authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tom Allen and Elizabeth Day last year.

This comes as the investment management firm signed a new three-year deal.

All events will be streamed after the success of the online festival in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will be made available to watch for free at any school in the country.

Harriet Reed-Ryan, director of the festival, said: “Last year was our first time using a marquee as a major venue and it proved very popular.

“We have taken on board feedback and this year it will be an even better audience experience at Phyllis Court, with food, drink and improved lighting around the venue.

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“We are thrilled that Baillie Gifford are extending their fantastic support of the festival for another three years.”

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