Cathy Tyson, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Louis de Bernieres line up for the 2012 Penny Readings

The 2012 Penny and Ha'Penny Readings, Sunday 9th December, St George's Hall

We've already given you the all important date, but now we're happy to announce the full details of one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Liverpool: the 2012 Penny Readings.

Taking place on Sunday 9th December at 6.30pm in the magnificent surroundings of the Concert Room, St. George's Hall, the all-singing, all-dancing festive bash returns for a ninth year, welcoming Liverpool born actor Cathy Tyson, award-winning local author Frank Cottrell Boyce and the author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin Louis De Bernières as this year's special star readers.

The Penny Readings have become a staple of the festive season in Liverpool, with a spectacular show of reading, music and entertainment ,all for the price of a penny. This follows in the footsteps of Charles Dickens - a man who knew a lot about festivity - who toured across the North West giving public readings for the same price back in the 1840s, filling the venues he visited. Our Penny Readings look set to be no different, as an array of wonderful local talent look set to guarantee another memorable evening, supported by Big Lottery Fund and Publiship.

One of our guest readers, Louis de Bernières, has already sampled the delights of the Penny Readings:

“Having appeared in The Reader Organisation’s touring Penny Readings in London and Guernsey, I am delighted to join them at the event’s home in Liverpool for this unmissable festive occasion.”

We're looking forward to welcoming him, along with Cathy Tyson, Frank Cottrell Boyce, musical performers from Liverpool Harmonic Gospel Choir and Georgina Aasgaard, a cellist with Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as readers from the team at The Reader Organisation, for a fantastic evening, which will be supported by the Big Lottery Fund and Publiship.

Our afternoon event for children and families, the Ha'penny Readings, will also be returning, held on the same day in the same place at 2.30pm. The event for young readers features music, comedy capers, selected readings for the festive season and special guest, Angela Macmillan, editor of A Little, Aloud for Children - as well as a special appearance from Santa himself. (all children must be accompanied by an adult to the event)

As tickets are in such high demand for the Penny and Ha’penny Readings, there will be a public raffle to allocate the limited number available (only one pair of tickets are available for each person).

To enter, please call the Penny Readings Hotline on 07812 238 372 or email pennyreadings@thereader.org.uk, leaving your name and contact details, and specify which event you would like tickets for (the Ha’penny Readings for young people at 2.30pm, or the Penny Readings at 6.30pm). The line is open from 9am Friday 9^thNovember until 5pm Friday 16th November (any calls or emails before or after this time will not be entered into the draw). Roger Phillips will draw the first two winners of Penny Readings tickets live on Radio Merseyside on Wednesday 21^st November.

There will be a separate ticket raffle for Get Into Reading group members. Entry details are the same as above, but please specify that you are a Get Into Reading group member when calling/e-mailing, and provide your name, the group you attend and the name of your group leader, along with your contact details.

All winners will be notified by Friday 23^rd November.

If you're lucky enough to get a ticket, make sure you bring down your one pence entrance fee on the night (just one half penny for for the Ha'penny Readings - though tickets are sold in pairs, so there's no need to travel back in time for obsolete coinage). Best of luck and we hope to see you there!