Afternoon:
14°c
NEW: Taxpayers have been handed a £143,000 bill for protecting BNP leader Nick Griffin during his appearance on Question Time, it has emerged
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Richard Godwin's rating
Reader rating
Description: Talks, readings, performances and workshops in a two-week celebration of the written word. See www.londonlitfest.com for further information.
Trains: Tube/BR: Waterloo 
Phone: 0871 663 2501
Words and music: poet Charlie Dark (Sunday 13 July, Purcell Room)
Surely if a piddling little village like Hay-on-Wye can rig up a worldclass literary festival, our bustling metropolis can rouse itself for a couple of weeks of book chat?
The London Literature Festival is now in its second year. A glance at the programme reveals an array of lectures, debates, performances, readings and interactive experiences scheduled over the next two weeks to compete with most of what they can mount on the Welsh Marches.
This weekend alone sees the whimsical comedian Josie Long offering what she deems a " Splendid Evening" (tomorrow, 7.30pm, QEH), a Best of the Booker Prize debate (tomorrow, 7.45pm, Purcell Room) and Dirty Books, a celebration of written pornography (tomorrow, 8pm, RFH Pavilion).
There are those who argue that literature ought to remain a private thing, who find solace in the Italian poet Leopardi: "We are all aware of the unspeakable annoyance we feel when listening to someone else's work," he complained, suggesting that authors reading their own books aloud showcased only "the puerility of human nature".
However, it's a fair bet that Leopardi never attended Book Slam! or B Club, or any of the hip literary club nights which have made London's spoken-word scene among the most vibrant in the world.
This urban strain is represented at the festival by events such as Fresh on the Stage, a spiky evening of verse curated by Riz MC and Yemisi Blake (tomorrow 10pm, Front Room), Lemn Sissay's free rooftop performance (Sat 12 July, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, Hayward) and a "London Liming" session featuring Philadelphia street poet Ursula Rucker and beatboxer Shlomo (Sunday 13 July, 7.45pm, QEH). You don't find that at Hay.
More traditional chinwagging is provided by the ever-engaging Tony Benn, in discussion with Tory rebel David Davis (Monday, 7.30pm, QEH); and Zaha Hadid, Antony Gormley and others chewing the fat on architecture (Wednesday 9 July, 7pm, QEH). And there's much more besides, as a tour of the website will reveal. Most events are ticketed, with discounts for multiple bookings.
From tomorrow until 19 July (0871 663 2586, www. londonlitfest.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
