Chester Literature Festival 2022

Two weeks of unmissable events, performances and conversation this autumn
  • Storyhouse

Chester’s annual celebration of the written word will fill Storyhouse with two weeks of unmissable events, performances and conversation this autumn. Special guests include writers, poets, actors and broadcasters.

We are delighted to announce our 2022 Chester Literature Festival full line up, welcoming some of the world’s most exciting writers, poets and thinkers to Storyhouse this autumn. Origin stories and how our childhoods shape who we are is a running theme in this year’s festival.

With extraordinary stories of determination and hope in the face of discrimination and adversity from some of the UK’s biggest cultural heroes David Harewood, Lemn Sissay and Kit de Waal. You can even create your own origin story in our re-inventing British political superheroes workshop.

Literary heavy weights Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Clare Mackintosh and Patrick Gale join us to discuss their latest books and aspiring writers will enjoy our debut writers panel and our flash fiction events.

Our brilliant Storyhouse library team have a myriad of free events that can help you find your next great read – go on a blind date with a book or come along to our book pharmacy for a literary remedy for your maladies.

Or if you like to party with your poetry then look no further than our Poetry Pub Crawl, Cocktails and Cinquains and Luke Wright’s Dance Floor Filler events.

With a bumper programme of brilliant authors, workshops, panel discussions, performances and literary themed events we have something for everyone. We’ll see you there!

 

Cinema Asteroid City (12A)

1 hr 44 | AD | A fictional American desert town in 1955 where the itinerary of a junior Stargazer and Space Cadet convention is spectacularly disrupted by world changing events

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Activities Craft Workshop with Chester Mystery Plays
Fri 12.30pm; Sun 12.30pm
The Kitchen

Chester Mystery Plays invites everyone to get involved in this summer’s production by designing a fabric panel inspired by nature using a variety of techniques including fabric painting and embroidery.

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On Stage Sister Act
Storyhouse Theatre

Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent!

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Activities Storyhouse + Chester Zoo: Summer Project

Storyhouse and Chester Zoo are collaborating in a first-of-its-kind project, offering young people the opportunity to consolidate and develop their awareness around the challenges we face on planet Earth.

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On Stage A Night with Jean Martyn and A Handbag of Harmonies
Storyhouse Theatre

Jean Martyn is bringing her fun and effervescent show to Chester. Joined by A Handbag of Harmonies, be prepared for an evening of musical classics as you’ve never heard them before.

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On Stage John Lydon: I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Storyhouse Theatre

In his spoken word show, John Lydon is touring the UK. He’ll talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour.

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On Stage Ashley Blaker: Normal Schmormal
Garret Theatre

A new stand-up show about the joys of raising children with special needs, from the star of hit Radio 4 series 6.5 Children, and author of book Normal Schmormal.

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Activities Cheshire & Warrington Carers Cinema Screenings

Film screenings for careers on last Thursday of every month at Storyhouse Cinemas.

Cinema Northern Exposure Short Film Night (15+)

1 hr 30 | Join us for an evening of short films and previews of upcoming events for young people aged 16-25 who want to break into the film industry

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Cinema The Cabinet of Dr Caligari + Live Score
The Kitchen

1 hr | The quintessential German Expressionist film masterpiece. Robert Wiene’s distorted sets, sinister shadows and unnerving characters set to a live score.

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