Lichfield Festival 2022

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Thu 07 Jul 2022 - Sun 17 Jul 2022

Actor, comedian and writer Stephen Fry is making an audio return to a major Midlands art festival after performing in the very first event 40 years ago. Stephen, whose various roles have ranged from QI quizmaster to Blackadder and Oscar Wilde, has recorded the winning entry in a children's story writing competition run by Lichfield Festival in Staffordshire. It means that Stephen will be heard, if not seen, at the Lichfield Festival where he appeared in 1982 when the event was staged for the first time. On that occasion, four decades ago, Stephen performed with long-term comedy partner Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson in their Cambridge Footlights days. Now, in 2022, Stephen has recorded the winning story written by nine-year-old James Peters from Rugeley in Staffordshire. Launched as part of the festival's 40th anniversary celebrations (7-17 July), the competition challenged children to write an original short story on the theme of Green Journeys, real or imaginary, or to think about how they might change and save the world.



In James's winning entry, entitled Endless Journeys, Endless Adventures, an ordinary tin can dreams of the 'endless adventures' it might have through recycling. James, who is a pupil at Hob Hill Primary School in Rugeley said: "Wow! It's so amazing to hear Stephen Fry reading my story. I couldn't believe it! I hope my story makes people want to recycle more." For Stephen Fry, it is an extension of his role as narrator of the UK editions of the Harry Potter audiobooks and video games. Damian Thantrey, Director of Lichfield Festival, said: "James's story stood out immediately when we read it: funny, engaging and with a clear 'journey' – not easy to do in such a short story. He was a clear winner for our panel and we are all thrilled for him, and hugely grateful to Stephen Fry for supporting both Lichfield Festival and the young writers in this way."



The competition was sponsored by EQUANS, who are re-developing Rugeley Power Station with the aim of leading the way in low carbon solutions. runs from 7-17 July. Tickets and details can be found by visiting www.lichfieldfestival.org or by calling the Box Office on 01543 306271.

Watch Stephen Fry reading the winning entry in the competition below.

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!date 07/07/2022 -- 17/07/2022
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