Smithdown Litfest

24/04/2026

Don't miss the new play by acclaimed local playwright (and long-term Smithdown Litfest supporter and volunteer!) Carol Maginn. Book your tickets now for this entertaining dark comedy at The Hope Street Theatre 15 - 17 May 👇

https://tinyurl.com/dearestplay

20/03/2026

Join us for a special evening at Liverpool's beautiful Athenaeum for a talk on literary biography and the launch of a new biography of Robert Louis Stevenson.

Free tickets but booking essential here: https://smithdownlitfest.com/

09/03/2026

JOIN RIKKI BEADLE-BLAIR IN LIVERPOOL!

Rikki Beadle-Blair in Conversation with Sarah Maclennan
Thursday 19th March 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

We're delighted to let Smithdown Litfest followers know about a free literary event this month organised by Liverpool John Moores University.

Join Rikki Beadle-Blair, in conversation with Sarah Maclennan, where he will reflect on his career as an actor, artistic director, playwright and activist. The discussion will be followed by a book signing.

Richard Barrington “Rikki” Beadle-Blair is a British actor, director, and playwright. He is the artistic director of multi-media production company Team Angelica. Beadle-Blair wrote the screenplay for the 1995 feature film Stonewall. He adapted his own screenplay of Stonewall for the stage and his production company Team Angelica, which he took to the 2007 Edinburgh Festival. He also directed, produced, designed both sets & costumes, & choreographed on the show. The play was nominated for “Best Ensemble” at The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence.

The event takes place at LJMU Redmonds Building, Lecture Theatre 2, L3 5UG.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/researchinstituteforliteratureandculturalhistory/2098501

05/12/2025

Read this article by Catherine Jones - Arts City Liverpool about our special evening coming up with Roger McGough 👇

Smithdown Litfest is marking its 10th anniversary in 2026 with a new format – and a welcome for one of Liverpool’s literary greats.The annual festival of the written word, which usually runs for a week each September, is now set to become a year-round literary festival which organisers say will ...

01/12/2025

We're excited to announce "An Evening with Roger McGough" at Ullet Road Church on 24th January 2026. Tickets now on sale and going fast! 👇

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-roger-mcgough-tickets-1975792948897

Revel in Roger McGough’s plentiful store of warmth, wisdom and wit as part of the 2026 Smithdown Litfest in Liverpool.

24/09/2025

In Liverpool tomorrow! 👇

Author and journalist Anthony Quinn talks to Ragnhild Lund Ansnes about his new book on the peaks and troughs of Kevin Keegan’s career.

24/09/2025

We can't wait for this - very few tickets left and will definitely sell out before Saturday!

An opportunity to see rare film footage of Liverpool from Victorian times to the 1980s. A Smithdown Litfest 2025 event.

05/09/2025

Great article about this month's Smithdown Litfest in The Guide Liverpool Only three weeks to go, and tickets for all events are going faster than ever!

Smithdown Litfest is bringing famous names to south Liverpool again, including a headliner which sold out in just 12 hours!