Over the years the Daphne Du Maurier Festival has grown into a massive event which sees a diverse range of people taking to the stage.
 | | Toyah will be appearing at the festival |
The day one line-up of broadcaster Sue MacGregor; writer, presenter, director and doctor of medicine Jonathan Miller and former High Priestess of Punk, turned actress and presenter Toyah Willcox shows just how diverse the ten days will be. The Festival takes place in and around Fowey between Thursday 11 and Saturday 20 May. It is organised and promoted by Restormel Borough Council. Tickets for the events are on sale now. Some have sold out. There has also been a slight change to the programme. See below: Wed 17 May 10.30am: Keith Floyd: cancelled due to ill health, but substituted by Dick Strawbridge, from BBC's current series 'It's Not Easy Being Green'. Fri 19 May 10.00am : Candida Crewe and William Leith 'Food Glorious Food':
cancelled. Sat 13 May 8.00pm: Pam Ayres: sold out Sat 13 May 8.00pm The Drifters: sold out Tues 16 May:11.45am: Kathy Lette: sold out Tues 16 May 3.45pm: Tim Heald and Bishop Bill: sold out Thurs 18 May 8.00pm: Short 'n' Curly: sold out Sat 20 May 3.45pm: Carol Drinkwater: sold out Full details are available on the event's website. Click on the link below to visit it:
An massive range of music can be enjoyed at this year’s event. Pop and soul stars The Drifters will be singing all their greatest hits. Folk Music’s royal family Waterson:Carthy (Martin, Norma and Eliza) will be making a rare appearance together. Camp meets cabaret with the 'absolutely fabulous' show Girl Talk, featuring Mari Wilson, Claire Martin and Barb Jungr.
 | | Girl Talk - cabaret style |
Dublin’s Saviours of Soul, The Commitments, will raise the roof and the Festival concludes with the red-hot and raucous King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys, providing a rousing finale of pure Jazz and Blues from the era when Swing was King! There's laughs-a-plenty from Al Murray (The Pub Landlord) and everyone’s favourite poet Pam Ayres. Humour will also be provided by Miles Kington, Tony Hawks, Christopher Matthew and Rabbi Lionel Blue and Sandi Toksvig, who is joined by Bonnie Langford in a 'two-woman-one woman show'. Other star names at this year’s festival include Kate Adie, Germaine Greer, Liz Smith, Sir David Frost, Shirley Williams and Carol Drinkwater. With the Festival being named after a well-loved author, it's only right that it should attract the attentions of some of today's best known writers. Hugo Vickers, Janet Reibstein, Kathryn Heyman, Kirsty Gunn, Tom Petherick, Sophie Hannah, Kathy Lette, Tim Heald, William Leith, Candida Crewe, Piers Dudgeon, Justine Picardie and Bella Pollen will all be at the Festival discussing their work and latest books.
 | | Kansas City Jazz with King Pleasure |
Other participants include BBC Radio Cornwall's very own Tim Hubbard. There are also many Cornish writers and performers appearing in Fowey’s Town Hall during the Festival and the usual mix of guided walks, exhibitions, plays and concerts. Tickets may be purchased online or by ringing 0845 094 0428. Other options include the post or in person at the St Austell Tourist Information Centre, Southbourne Road, St. Austell, PL25 4RS. Daphne Du Maurier Daphne was born in 1907, grand-daughter of the brilliant artist and writer George du Maurier, daughter of Gerald, the most famous Actor Manager of his day, she came from a creative and successful family. Daphne began writing short stories in 1928, and in 1931 her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit' was published. It received rave reviews and further books followed. Then came her most famous three novels, 'Jamaica Inn', 'Frenchman's Creek' and Rebecca'. Each novel being inspired by her love of Cornwall, where she lived and wrote. | 
