Day 1 Events – Thursday 24th September 2026

Afternoon and evening sessions.

Afternoon:

The Court House, Berkhamsted

£8

14:15 – Walk: Graham Greene’s Common (led by Richard Shepherd).

This perfect Festival curtain-raiser walk is approximately three miles (including some uphill stretches and World War I trenches, so wear stout shoes). The walk is punctuated with readings from Greene’s works. Assemble at the Court House, Church Lane, HP4 2AX. Cars are needed to reach the start at the Inns of Court War Memorial, New Road car park so please let Richard know if you can give a lift to a car-less Festival-goer: email him at shepherd.rw@gmail.com. If wet, there will be an illustrated talk/ readings in the Court House.

17:30 – Festival opening: reception/supper – separate booking required

Drinks at pay bar from 1730 and supper for those who have booked online from 1830; please book the supper by Thursday 10 September at the latest.

Evening:

Civic Centre, Berkhamsted

£15

20:00 – Film: A Splinter of Ice (Original Theatre Company, 2021, 88 minutes) followed by playwright Ben Brown Q&A

A recording of Ben Brown’s thought-provoking 2021 stage play introduced by Mike Hill. Moscow, 1987. Graham Greene reunites with his old MI6 boss Kim Philby. The alcohol flows, the reminiscing too. Hovering in the air is a very big question: did Greene always know his friend was a spy and a traitor? With Oliver Ford Davies as Greene and Stephen Boxer as Philby. Playwright Ben Brown will do a Q&A at the end..