Join us to mark the 30th anniversary of Sebastian Faulks' classic WWI novel, Birdsong.

Southwark Cathedral are delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the world’s most classic novels, Birdsong written by bestselling novelist and literary hero, Sebastian Faulks.

Join us, in the candlelit bathed Cathedral for this very special event where Sebastian Faulks will be discussing why he thinks Birdsong is such an enduring success, how the memory of war has influenced his novels and the challenges of opting for the solitary life of the novelist. He will be joined by actors, Pippa Bennett-Warner and Harry Lloyd who will be performing selected readings from Birdsong.

'Magnificent - deeply moving' Sunday Times

'Engrossing, moving, and unforgettable' The Times

In the heat of the French summer of 1910, young Englishman Stephen Wraysford arrives in Amiens to stay with the Azaire family. But soon a secret passion emerges that threatens to destroy the household. Six years later, Stephen finds himself on the Western Front with civilization itself in the balance.

And in a maze of tunnels under the trenches he will fight for everything he has known and loved. An epic of love, death and redemption, Birdsong has moved millions of readers all over the world to become a contemporary classic.

Sebastian Faulks has written nineteen books, of which A Week in December and The Fatal Englishman were number one in the Sunday Times bestseller lists. He is best known for Birdsong, part of his French trilogy, and Human Traces, the first in an ongoing Austrian trilogy. Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as a journalist on national papers. He has also written screenplays and has appeared in small roles on stage. He lives in London.

Pippa Bennett-Warner’s recent projects include ENTITLED with Brett Gelman and she will shortly appear in OBSESSION for Netflix. She stars in SEE HOW THEY RUN with Saoirse Ronan, Sam Rockwell and David Oyelowo and played opposite Anna Paquin in UK independent A BIT OF LIGHT. She features in films such as JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN, THE FOREIGNER and REAL whilst television credits include Amazon’s psychological thriller opposite Erin Doherty and Jack Farthing. She leads the cast in MOTHERFATHERSON with Richard Gere and Helen McCrory (Starz) and in HARLOTS opposite Samantha Morton for Hulu. She recently reprised the leading role of Shannon in season 2 of AMC success story GANGS OF LONDON and plays Tamzin Hulu’s MAXXX with Christopher Meloni and O-T Fagbenle. Other TV credits include CHLOE, SITTING IN LIMBO and ROADKILL. Pippa’s numerous theatre credits include the lead in Vivenne Franzmann’s second play THE WITNESS at the Royal Court and Dorinda in THE BEAUX STRATAGEM at The National. She is a RADA graduate and was an audio reader for a new audio edition of Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks (Penguin audio).

Harry Lloyd is a BAFTA-nominated actor of stage and screen, whose many credits include Dr Who, Game Of Thrones, Counterpart, Arcane and Brave New World. He was last seen on film playing the title role in Stephen Frears’ The Lost King alongside Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan. Harry was very proud to record the audiobook of Birdsong for the 30th anniversary edition this year.

This event will be in-person only and won't be streamed or recorded. Doors will open at 6.45pm and copies of Sebastian Faulks books will be available to purchase on the evening.

Copies of Birdsong and other publications written by Sebastian will be available to purchase on the evening and Sebastian will be signing copies.