After a whirlwind round of TV and Press interviews last July, John Cleese announced he was leaving England for good due to the Government’s inability to regulate the press by cancelling Leveson 2.

Now, he has decided to fly back to England and break cover for just one day to cut the ribbon and open Byline Festival on 23rd August. In his words: “Byline is a shaft of hope …I think you will find it refreshing.”

Festival Co-Founder, Stephen Colegrave says “We really thought last year was our last chance to get John Cleese involved in the festival and it’s a dream come true that he’s decided to return again this year”

For anyone who has not been lucky enough to see John live, this is a rare chance to see a great comedy legend.

And it’s not just John Cleese, a whole host of music and comedy acts are supporting Byline Festival including activist and hip hop artist, Lowkey; Latin and jazz-inspired Matt Bianco; new wave giants The Blow Monkeys, Don Letts from Big Audio Dynamite, Jerry Dammers, founder of The Specials and Two Tone; Kevin Rowlands, Joey Base, The Priscillas, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Joanna Scanlan and The House of Comedy.

The Festival’s strong sense of purpose and activism attracts great, diverse artists to come and celebrate our tagline: Dance, Discuss, Laugh and Change the World at Byline Festival.

Indeed, Byline Festival is determined to be different from the increasing commercialism of festivals. So, if you are tired of festivals that are scarcely different from shopping malls in fields and long for a festival that has a sense of purpose, a social conscience and is a whole lot of fun then Byline Festival is for you.

Immerse yourself in specially curated experiences designed to make sure we all really do change the world; Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes with the Empathy Museum, Borrow a ‘book’ from The Human Library, Take matters into your own hands (peacefully) when you join and train with Extinction Rebellion at their Rebel Rebel Stage and help create a new constitution withThe Convention.

Dance in the legendary WAG Club for one night only on Saturday night or our Cabaret Club, join over 100 workshops learn how to create an award-winning podcast in your bedroom, write a protest poem with a well-known punk band and even create your own stand-up comedy act.

Join in panel discussions with investigative journalists, politicians and whistleblowers; Carole Cadwalladr, Chris Wylie, Bonnie Greer, Lord Victor Adebowale, Martin Bell, Birgitta Jonsdottirand Luke Harding. Watch the Bad Press Awards, relax with a drink at The Frontline Club.

And make sure you take a well-earned break from all the fun and head to the Woodland Spa in the beautiful Ashdown forest.

Book now, Save 25% – 50% www.bylinefestival.com/2019