Top talks and celeb spots

It’s a celeb-fest in book world this week: You’ve seen him as Gandalf — and more recently as Magneto in X Men — now Ian McKellen is appearing as himself and bringing flower power to London! Plus crimewriter P D James and novelist Margaret Atwood are in town.

P.D. James and Andrea Camilleri
Two crime writers, one English, the other Italian, meet to talk about the genre.

Ian McKellen
As part of the Dulwich Festival festivities, Sir Ian McKellen introduces Flower Power and florist Mig Kimpton from Celebrity Flowers.

Costumes for the Silver Screen
Costume historian Louise Coffey-Webb explores the history of dress in the movies, and the frocks worn on screen by stars like Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford.

Fit for a Princess
Check out the dress size of HRH Princess Lilian of Belgium and see whether you might be able to snap up an Yves, a Dior or a Givenchy that she once owned and is now up for grabs. There are 20 wardrobes crammed with frocks, on which Sotheby's auctioneer Kerry Taylor casts her expert eye.

Writing for the Theatre
If you have wondered whether you could be the next Harold Pinter, find out at this masterclass.

Sigings

Mary Contini
When it first appeared, Dear Francesca: An Italian Journey Of Recipes Recounted With Love received rave reviews. The book's written as an extended letter from Mary to her daughter Francesca, recounting her family history, with recipes mixed in. Just out in paperback, Mary gives a demo and signs copies.

Margaret Atwood Booker-winning Margaret Atwood signs copies of her new novel Oryx And Crake, another tale set in a grim future.

Survival in the City
Mrs Moneypenny signs copies of her book about how to survive sex and stockbroking in the City.

Magnus Mills
The former bus driver entertains and signs copies of his latest tiny anti-welfare state volume, a novel, The Scheme For Full Employment, at an event touted as 'banter and beer'.