THE Curious Arts Festival has announced new additions to the packed programme of events for July 22-24 at Pylewell Park in the New Forest.

Michel Faber, author of the highly acclaimed novel The Crimson and The White, and prize-winning Zimbabwean novelist, Petina Gappah (The Book of Memory) join prize-winners and best-sellers Deborah Moggach (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), SJ Watson (Before I Go to Sleep, Second Life), Stephen Kelman (Pigeon English), Andrea Wulf, Simon Toyne, Piers Torday, Louisa Young, DBC Pierre, Meg Rossoff, Max Porter, Gerad Kite, Andrew Miller, and Jill Dawson.

History writer and indefatigable champion of trees Thomas Pakenham and British Army veteran Harry Parker will also bring their illuminating perspectives to the event along with countercultural hero and original manager of The Ramones, Danny Fields, who will talk candidly about his extraordinary life in music.

On the music stage, hotly tipped Paloma Faith support Jake Isaac is confirmed along with the folk of newcomer Willow Robinson and the eclectic Jackson Scott.

Other festival highlights include performances by literary icon Carol Ann Duffy including a special children’s event, Billy Mad Hatters Tea Party at last year’s Curious Arts Festival Bragg on the Saturday night.

A weekend-long sonnet-a-thon launched by playwright Polly Stenham will mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

There will be music from Bombay Bicycle Club vocalist Lucy Rose, HMS Sweet Charity, Gus

Robertson (lead guitarist for Razorlight) and a programme of talent from Communion Music (founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons and Kevin Jones of Bear’s Den).

Comedy from TV stars Simon Evans, Zoe Lyons, Lucy Porter and Justin Edwards, plus children’s and teen favourite James Campbell, sketch group The Noise Next Door, whimsical Chris Martin,

Lloyd Griffiths and young comic Tom Lucy will also entertain.

Adult tickets are £120 for the weekend with day and evening tickets available. Children aged 13 and under go free. For more details visit curiousartsfestival.com.