Everything you need to know about the Hay Festival 2018
22 May 2018
The Hay Festival is the annual literary extravaganza which sees the great and the good share their stories with the world. Here we've picked just a few of the must-see names from this year’s line-up - all available to watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer for 30 days - along with details of how you can experience Hay on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
Margaret Atwood
The Canadian author’s 1985 dystopian masterpiece, The Handmaid’s Tale, has never been more relevant. With the second series of the acclaimed TV adaptation returning to British TV screens, she spoke to Hay Festival director Peter Florence about the book and its legacy in the Tata Tent on Monday 28 May - watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Robert Webb
The actor and comedian made waves last year with his first book, How Not to Be a Boy, which looks back on his bittersweet childhood in Lincolnshire and also has some wise words on masculinity's pitfalls. The Peep Show star spoke to Sarfraz Manzoor in the Tata Tent on Friday 25 May - watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Rose McGowan
The actress has become one of the most visible figureheads of the #MeToo movement after speaking out against abuse in the movie industry. She spoke about her incendiary book, Brave - a raw, honest, and poignant memoir/manifesto which aims to empower people everywhere - with Laurie Penny on the Good Energy Stage on Saturday 2 June - .
Goldie
The charismatic drum ‘n’ bass pioneer spoke to Gemma Cairney about his memoir All Things Remembered - an explosive story of abuse, revenge, graffiti, breakdancing, gold teeth, sawn-off shotguns, car crashes, hot yoga, absent fatherhood and redemption through reality TV. The event took place on the Good Energy Stage on Sunday 27 May - watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Chelsea Clinton
The daughter of former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented her illustrated book, She Persisted, which celebrates 13 women from around the world who have created change and shaped history - from JK Rowling to Malala Yousafzai. She spoke to Alex Jones in the Oxfam Moot tent on Sunday 3 June - .
Hay online
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts Digital will once again be bringing you daily highlights from the festival and making a number of events available to watch in full via Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer. A range of articles will explore some of the big ideas and extraordinary stories being discussed at Hay - from artificial intelligence and neuroscience to the #Metoo movement and big tech's impact on democracy.
Hay on radio and television
38 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ shows will be recorded or broadcast live from the site - including Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two’s Front Row Late, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World News’ Talking Books, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4’s Today and Start the Week, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3's The Essay and Free Thinking, plus a host of shows from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Hereford and Worcester. .
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tent at Hay
As well as recordings and live broadcasts of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ shows, a number of events at the festival will offer an inside look at the latest Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ dramas and documentaries, including tips from some of our leading screenwriters and documentary makers. You can book tickets - mostly free - .
David Walliams
He may have shot to fame alongside Matt Lucas as one of the comic brains behind Little Britain, but since the publication of his first novel, The Boy in the Dress, David Walliams has also seen ten years of success as a children’s author. He spoke to Gemma Cairney about the inspiration for his best-loved characters, and read excerpts from some of his books, in the Tata Tent on Saturday 26 May - watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Jilly Cooper
The much-loved author spoke to Stephanie Merritt about her long career in literature, from her early years in journalism and her non-fiction books on class, marriage and animals, to becoming queen of the ‘bonkbuster’ with 80s classics Riders and Rivals. The event took place in the Tata Tent on Thursday 31 May - watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Rupert Everett
The actor spoke to Alan Yentob and previewed clips from his forthcoming film about Oscar Wilde’s last days, The Happy Prince, as well as extracts from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's recent about his life and work, in the Tata Tent on Saturday 27 May - watch on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
