Steven Berkoff

STEVEN Berkoff, one of Britain’s all-time great actors and directors, is to launch the annual Words in Walden Spring Festival.

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Berkoff, famous for his villainous roles in blockbuster films including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Rambo II and Octopussy, will talk about his life on the stage to kick off the festival on March 3.

Jo Burch, of festival organisers Harts Events, said: “Steven Berkoff is one of the all-time greats on the British stage.

“This is a rare chance to meet him in person and to hear him talk about his life as an actor, director and writer.”

Berkoff won’t be the only star to be speaking at the festival (which runs from March to May) though – the line-up also includes stand-up comic Robin Ince, hot from his recent national tour with Professor Brian Cox; acclaimed nature writer Richard Mabey; national treasure and political commentator Peter Hennessy; natural explorer Tristan Gooley, who featured on the BBC last autumn; Grammy-nominated director Grant Gee, who will introduce Saffron Screen’s festival film, Patience (After Sebald), and the UN’s special adviser on climate change, Martin Palmer, who will discuss Saffron Walden’s history.

Dickens gets an honourable mention in his bicentennial year, with professor Jenny Hartley reviewing his fourteen thousand letters, while writer Rebecca Stott discusses Darwin’s theory of evolution. Darwin’s great-great-granddaughter and award-winning poet Ruth Padel will also be present and will read from her latest work.

One of the 20th century’s greatest poets, Philip Larkin, is celebrated in ‘Larkin’ About’, an exuberant evening of words and music featuring The Antonius Players and members of The Archers cast.

Mrs Burch added: “We hope that by stretching Words in Walden over three months, we have given our audiences the opportunity to come to even more of our events. We think we have a very exciting line-up of speakers and thinkers with a wide range of styles and subjects.”

“We’re thrilled to be launching the festival and we’re very grateful to both Dame Bradbury’s School and Friends’ School for continuing to host the festival events and to Mullucks Wells who have added their support again this season.”

For the full festival programme, visit hartsevents.co.uk.

Tickets can be purchased online or from the Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre. Copies of the programme can also be found at various outlets in Saffron Walden.