QUEEN’S READING ROOM FESTIVAL SUPPORTS CHARITY WORKERS, TEACHERS, NHS STAFF AND THE ARMED FORCES FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

• The Queen’s Reading Room charity, formed from the Instagram book club established by The the then Duchess of Cornwall in 2021, has released 2,000 free tickets for NHS staff, charity workers and the Armed Forces, to attend its second annual literary festival to be held at Hampton Court Palace on the 8th June

• The ticket giveaway will mark the second year the Festival has supported nations heroes 

• Charity boss Vicki Perrin says the giveaway is an opportunity to thank teachers, frontline workers and armed forces for everything they do, year round 

For the second year running, The Queen’s Reading Room has teamed up with Tickets For Good, Tickets For Troops and a selection of the UK’s literacy charities to donate 2,000 seats at its literary festival on the 8th June, in recognition of the outstanding work of NHS staff, charity workers, teachers and the Armed forces. 

This year’s ticket giveaway will be particularly relevant to members of the Armed Forces, as the West End cast of Operation Mincemeat – the musical based on the ‘secret’ mission which won us World War II – will perform on the main stage at this year’s Festival. 

CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, Vicki Perrin, said: 

“Once again, we are delighted to be able to treat some of our nation’s heroes to a day out at Hampton Court Palace, on us. This is a way for us to say thank you for the brilliant work our teachers, front line workers and armed forces do, year round. 

We hope that they enjoy our world-class live programming and that they come away inspired by the incredible authors, actors and experts with us at our festival.”

The Queen’s Reading Room Festival drew more than 8,000 visitors to its inaugural festival in 2023. The 2024 Queen’s Reading Room festival line-up will build on the success of last year’s event, which attracted visitors from all corners of the globe. This year’s programme will see Miriam Margolyes take to the main stage in one of the Palace’s atmospheric Tudor courtyards to express her love and deep knowledge of Charles Dickens; Olivier winning actress Dame Harriet will join Helena Bonham Carter on the main stage for a very special edition of William Sieghart’s Poetry Pharmacy whilst Ken Follett will host Harlan Coben and Mick Herron for an exclusive session for thriller-fanatics, delving into Coben and Herron’s most secret and valuable tips for writing a story that will thrill, chill and fit the bill.

Visitors will be able to enjoy an array of street food, explore the stunning Palace on specially-created literary themed tours and tread the floors where Shakespeare once performed with his King’s Men; as well as wandering the sumptuous gardens bursting with life in summer and enjoying shows from our other headliners which include none other than Ann Cleeves, Elif Shafak, Kate Mosse and many, many others.

The Queen’s Reading Room, launched as a charity by Her Majesty The Queen in February 2023, is on a mission to spread the joy and benefits of reading and have just published their first neuroscientific research study into the link between reading fiction and well-being. 

Highlights from the festival programme, which runs from 11am includes: 

Operation Mincemeat: A Musical Showcase

Brilliant comedy meets a fascinating true story in Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical. The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.

Singin‘ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler? In this hour-long showcase of the award-winning musical, Operation Mincemeat, the cast will perform selected highlights from the West End show, before joining the creatives for a Q&A exploring the creation of the show and the writing process. 

William Sieghart presents his Poetry Pharmacy featuring Helena Bonham Carter and friends

Sometimes only a poem will do. In what is sure to be a mesmerising performance, Helena Bonham Carter, Clarke Peters and Dame Harriet Walter will explore poetry to ease any ailment: from loneliness, lack of courage, heartbreak, hopelessness, or even from an excess of ego…

In the years since he first had the idea of prescribing short, powerful poems for all manner of spiritual ailments, William Sieghart has taken his Poetry Pharmacy around the length and breadth of Britain, into the pages of the Guardian, onto BBC Radio 4 and onto the television, honing his prescriptions all the time. Join us as he brings the show to Hampton Court Palace for a very special Poetry Pharmacy.

Miriam Margoyles and friends: What the Dickens!

The inimitable Miriam Margolyes takes to the stage to express her love and deep knowledge of the little-known writer, Charles Dickens…

Expect her to be funny, fascinating and – let’s be honest – probably a little bit naughty as she commands an army of famous friends for an evening of great, great expectations. From Twist to Pip, from Bumble to Marley, Miss Haversham and Peggotty, the cast of great Dickensian novels will be brought to life with fanfare and flourish.

Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves and Lee Child: The Perfect Crime 

Three of our greatest living crime writers – Sir Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves and Lee Child – take to the stage to discuss the crafting of a perfect crime.  They’ll talk about the art of creating tension, the importance of reliable procedure and the difficulties that come hand in hand with long-term characters who develop a personality of their own…

Rev Richard Coles: The Golden Age Mystery 

Whether you know him from strutting his stuff on Strictly or ruminating on Radio 4, there’s no doubt that the Great British public loves the Reverend Richard Coles.  His instantaneous humour, endearing personality and emotional openness has ensured an army of fans that keenly await the release of his mystery novels.  Rev Coles will be talking to us about the mystery writers that have most influenced him over the years and how he continues to create these wonderful novels that resonate so strongly with his readers.

Kate Mosse presents: World War II – From Poland to Japan, Women Who Resisted

The incredible historical novelist Kate Mosse has adapted her one-woman show to perform a unique event for The Queen’s Reading Room Festival.  Kate has developed an hour-long talk with music and images, that centres on the extraordinary women of World War II who showed unwavering courage in the face of unprecedented adversity.  From Irena Sendler, Yukiko Sugihara, Sophie Scholl and Renia Kukielka to Mary Elmes, Noor Inayat Khan and Violette Szabo, her talk brings to life some of the unforgettable heroines who stood firm against the evils of the Third Reich.

DR Tracy Borman: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed The World
Join the brilliant best-selling author, historian and broadcaster, Dr Tracy Borman, for an illustrated talk on her latest book: Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History. Tracy will reveal, with reference to original documents and artefacts, how Anne Boleyn influenced her daughter Elizabeth I, and the enduring legacy these two women have had on the course of English history. All set within the gorgeous backdrop of Hampton Court, one of the foremost authorities on Tudor England will bring this historical duo’s shadowed relationship to light.

Elif Shafak: The Ethical Novelist 

Celebrated novelist Elif Shafak joins us to discuss her latest novel There are Rivers in the Sky.  She’ll explore how one lost poem, two great rivers and three remarkable lives, could all be connected by a single drop of water.  She’ll examine the intricacies involved in writing about nature and the powerful hold that rivers can come to have over the imagination.  

Mary Beard and Alex Michaelides: On the Classics 

There are no two writers alive who are more suitable to discuss the complexities of the classical novel than Mary Beard and Alex Michaelides.  Original, amusing and fiercely intelligent; there isn’t a subject on earth that these two staggeringly insightful writers are too fearful to tackle.  Take to your seats, and enjoy the ride. 

Harlan Coben and Mick Herron: Thrilling and Chilling 

The adaptation of Harlan Coben’s ‘Fool Me Once’ has thrilled audiences as much as ‘Slow Horses’ based on Mick Herron’s novels have had the nation gripped. This special session will bring together the titans of thriller-writing, Harlan Coben and Mick Herron as they divulge their most secret and valuable tips for writing a story that will thrill, chill and fit the bill. Hosted by Ken Follett, Coben and Herron will discuss the excitement and terror involved in writing for the reader, before sitting down to watch your own literary creation on television.

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Bookable literary themed tours of the Palace, along with a schedule of free book signings are available throughout the event.

The festival is a co-production between The Queen’s Reading Room and Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace. Proceeds will go towards the ongoing work of both charities. 

Tickets are available now via SEE tickets. [https://royalreadingroom.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options]