WITH JUST SIX-AND-A-BIT WEEKS TO GO, IT’S OKAY TO START DROOLING…

First tips for this year’s Must-Sees

So, as promised, here’s the first of my top tips for this year’s festival. And since it’s Monday, it’s short but sweet... Saturday March 17: Frankly, a no-brainer; Peter Brookes - “Interesting Times” looks set to be a sell-out event. After all, political cartoonists of Mr Brookes eminence (he draws for The Times) must surely be the most eagerly read of all commentators during these extraordinary and (think Trump, Brexit and last year’s General Election) hysterical times. Equally, there’s nothing like a bit of true culture to kick off those literary affectations. And with Anthony Sher - “Year of The Mad King: The Lear Diaries” you can rest assured you’ll be getting a large helping of one of the greatest Shakespearean actors of modern times. Sunday March 18: What a brilliantly appropriate day for hosting a talk with Richard Dawkins - “Science in The Soul”. A world renowned evolutionary biologist and noted atheist, the early lunchtime event - 12.00 noon - should make a perfect amuse-bouche for those keen to flex their intellectual muscles. By perfect contrast however will be Johnny Ball - Wonders Beyond Numbers: A Brief History of All Things Mathematical. Comedian, television presenter and father of Zoe Ball (Strictly’s ‘It Takes Two’ presenter) he’ll show how humanity has built up its understanding of shapes, numbers and patterns that has led directly to the development of the iPad and toaster. Monday March 19: For those who love visions of dystopian futures and the Terminator franchise Mike Wooldridge - “Artifical Intelligence” will be explaining the reality of artificial intelligence and what its implications are for all of us. While Lucy Cooke - “The Unexpected Truth About Animals” will attempt to dispel the myths about animals and reveal some surprising scientific truths (for instance, penguins are one of the few animals to engage in prostitution...So now you know). Cooke has presented prime time television shows on the BBC, ITV and National Geographic.