Isle Of Wight Story Festival Gets Underway At Quay Arts Today

The annual Isle of Wight Story Festival gets underway at Newport’s Quay Arts today (Thursday).

The annual event will get underway with the Island’s own Horsebox Theatre kicking off proceedings in front of an almost sold-out audience.

Other guests appearing over the festival weekend include Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon, iconic poet John Hegley and Monty Python film editor Julian Doyle, the latter of whom will be speaking about his work on some legendary films of the past decades.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the IW Story Festival aims to inspire families and children through all forms of storytelling, whether that be books, films, music or even verbal stories.

Medina Books, based in Cowes, has a pop up book shop in the Quay Arts cafe, with a selection of works by the festival authors on sale.

Stand-up comedian turned writer, Kate Weston, will discuss her young adult books “Murder on a School Night” and “Diary of a Confused Feminist” later today.

Master of Disguise, Teresa Grimaldi and Creaturama are among other performers appearing on the first day of the festival.

Friday will see Mock the Week and Radio 4 News Quiz star Alasdair Beckett-King talk about his children’s detective book, “Murder at the Museum” and, as part of the finale of an Island-wide writing competition, Gerald Dickens - the great great grandson of Charles Dickens - will read out loud the winning stories, as well as some writings by his famous relative.

Award winning Island-based author Kieran Larwood, who has sold out his session, will be running a fantasy workshop whilst Isabel Norwood will run a musical storytelling session.

Other people appearing on Friday are Natural England, The Enchanted Cinema, New Carnival Company, Asian Culture Club, Emma Rosen and Rhiannon Thomas, Trudie Wilson and Lauren Fry.

For fans of film, BAFTA longlisted filmmaker, James Clarke, will be running a screenwriting workshop.

Later on in the day, he will be interviewing Julian Doyle - director music videos for Kate Bush and Iron Maiden - live on stage. 

Saturday at Quay Arts will feature Francesca Simon, the creator of the best selling Horrid Henry series, as she talks about her latest book, Two Terrible Vikings.

For younger children, Kes Gray will be speaking about his best selling books. 

Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, from Southampton, will be speaking about the City of Stolen Magic, which has featured as Waterstones’ children's book of the month.

An Opera Prelude, based on The King’s Pants by IW Story Festival patron, Nicholas Allan, will be the final event in the theatre.

Harriet Muncaster, creator of the bestselling series about Isadora Moon, added a second show after her first session sold out so quickly.

A variety of local names, including Holly Medland, Sue Bailey, Tony Trowbridge, Simon Whitworth and Peta Rainford are also on the line-up.

Any remaining tickets are available from Quay Arts’ website.