Writers at the Watermill

Alan Titchmarsh kicks off new season of authors 'in conversation'

The Watermill theatre is attracting increasingly well-known writers and personalities to give talks and interviews on stage. The new season starts in style with some special authors.

First up tomorrow (Friday, 2pm) is gardener, writer and talk show-show host Alan Titchmarsh, who has presented programmes such as Gardeners' World, Ground Force and How to be a Gardener, BBC Radio 2's Melodies for You, and his own daytime ITV television show. He has written three volumes of memoirs, more than 40 gardening books, seven novels and contributes regularly to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, The Daily Express and

Sunday Express.

Tuesday (1.30pm) sees highly-acclaimed and bestselling author Joanna Trollope talking about her latest novel Daughters in Law. Her enormously successful contemporary tales, several of which have been televised, include The Choir, A Village Affair, A Passionate Man and The Rector's Wife which was her first number one bestseller, and made her into a household name. Since then she has published eleven other novels including most recently The Other Family.

Deborah Cavendish, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire is the special guest on Friday 8 April at 2pm. Interviewed by her niece Charlotte Mosley, she will talk about her fascinating life as a young socialite, her experiences as the youngest of the six Mitford sisters and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, her home for over 60 years. The Duchess has written several books about the estate and played a key role in the restoration of the house and the enhancement of the garden.

Tickets for Alan Titchmarsh and Duchess of Devonshire are £45 which includes a glass of champagne and cake following the event and an opportunity to meet the authors. These appearances are fundraising events and proceeds go to The Watermill Production Fund which supports the theatre's work on stage. Tickets for Joanna Trollope at The Watermill Book Club are £6. Joanna will be signing books following the event.

The Watermill restaurant will be open for lunch – booking is essential. Tickets can be booked by phoning the box office on 01635 46044 or online at www.watermill.org.uk