'Akala' to feature at Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival

Akala

MOBO award-winning rapper Akala has joined the line-up for the Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival this autumn.

Akala, whose Hip Hop Shakespeare show has enthused audiences across the globe, will be performing tracks from his album 'Doublethink'. The performance promises to bring George Orwell's '1984' to life through hip-hop music, rapping, singing and drumming.

Akala, the brother of fellow hip-hop star Ms Dynamite, fuses rap/rock and electro punk with storytelling. He has featured on numerous television programmes and has a reputation as one of the most dynamic and literate talents in the UK. Festival goers will also have the opportunity to hear about his groundbreaking work as part of a panel discussion or take part in a 'Hip Hop Shakespeare Company' workshop.

Rochdale's three day festival that runs from 25 to 27 October promises an inspiring schedule of events covering drama, dance, music, theatre, films and visual arts. The festival will also include a series of live performances and family friendly activities, all linked to literature and philosophy, with the full programme due to be revealed by the end of this month.

Already confirmed on the line-up is the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, Dragons Den winner Mark Champkins and poet Simon Armitage.

Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Customer Services said Akala's performance really will bring the festival to life: "We're encouraging people to come to this festival and see something they wouldn't normally ... something a bit different. This is one of those shows, something that will amaze, entertain and make you think, which is what we want the festival to be about. I always want to improve the way our libraries engage with young people so what better way to do this than bring such an acclaimed artist as Akala to perform and talk about how reading has inspired his own work."

The festival will take place at various venues across the borough and is aimed at all ages, providing a chance to get together with others to share or discover a passion for reading and books.

It's due to the generosity of Annie and Frank Maskew, a Rochdale couple who shared a passion for reading and thinking, and originally met in Rochdale Library. They left a sum of money to be used on resources and events related to literature, and philosophy to ensure classic works are available for future generations.

The event is organised by Rochdale Borough Council, funded by the Maskew Bequest and the Arts Council's Grants for the Arts Award.