We're bouncing into spring with a raft of new events in 2024 to tickle everyone's fancy.

The season begins with our annual joyous celebration of the Jhalak Prize, with discussion from judges Anni Domingo and JP Rose and readings from the shortlisted authors.

We take a deep dive into the great literary taboo of Shakespeare's real identity with none other than Sir Derek Jacobi and Elizabeth Winkler - author of an explosive new book on the subject, both in conversation with Stephanie Merritt.

We're exploring political satire in all its forms with some of the best in the business - political cartoonist Ella Baron and political comedy writer John O'Farrell in conversation with Yassmin Abdel-Magied. And we'll be marking Refugee Week with a very special RAP Party, Inua Ellams's exhilarating live literature phenomenon which will feature poets including Natalie Linh Bolderston, Sophie Herxheimer, Ammar Haj Ahmed, George Szirtes and many more.

And don't miss out on our exclusive performance of Between Two Fires, Sylvia Pankhurst's extraordinary lost play, our Scratch Night of exciting new political plays by London Library Emerging Writers and our Art/Lit Salon with Jennifer Higgie and Lauren Elkin in conversation with Dominique Heyse-Moore. 

Explore the programme