What’s On: London Book & Screen Week celebrates 40 years of books and film
The sixth London Book & Screen Week will celebrate 40 years of Yes Minister, the incredible career of Lynda La Plante and national favourite Doctor Who as well as explore coming of age classics.
Produced by The London Book Fair, London Book & Screen Week is the capital’s biggest celebration of books and the films, TV programmes and virtual worlds they inspire, bringing together readers, writers, game, film and TV fans for events across the creative capital of the World, running from March 9 -15.
Heading up the 2020 programme as festival Ambassador, queen of crime drama Lynda La Plante will discuss her illustrious career across page, stage and screen.
Lynda has also achieved international success as author of more than 30 novels and will offer a preview of her forthcoming book Buried the first in an exciting new series.
Joining the festival from New York, Jonathan Lynn, co-creator of the successful Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, will be in London to discuss the hit political satire 40 years after it first aired.
The multi award-winning writer, director and producer, whose latest book Samaritans takes a satirical look at the American healthcare system, will be in conversation with author, broadcaster, political pundit and award-winning comedian Ayesha Hazarika.
The two will discuss the modern political landscape, parallels between the UK and US, and the tour de force of political satire that still remains relevant today.
From the dramas of state to the angst of adolescence, the festival welcomes Joe Dunthorne and Lisa Owens to discuss the horror and the brilliance, the humour and the heartache of coming- of-age tales.
Joe’s hugely successful debut Submarine was adapted for screen by Richard Ayoade and Lisa is the scriptwriter behind Days of the Bagnold Summer, adapted from Joff Winterhart’s graphic novel and directed by The Inbetweeners’ Simon Bird.
Led by poet, podcaster and booktuber Leena Normington, they will discuss the rich territory of coming of age stories, their experience of adaptation and recent novels The Adulterants and Not Working which explore the challenges of navigating your 20s and 30s.
Fifteen years after it returned to our screens, journalist, broadcaster and lifelong fan Samira Ahmed will lead a conversation about one of the nation’s favourite TV shows, Doctor Who.
London Book & Screen Week will be joined by poet and performer Scarlett Sabet in conversation with legendary musician Jimmy Page.
Rounding off the week, there will be a special brunch with bestselling author Miguel Barclay who shot to fame as The One Pound Chef’.
Miguel will discuss Meat-Free One Pound Meals and demonstrate recipes from his new book.