Step back in time with Tony and Roy in Leamington this weekend

Tony Benn, who will be remembered for his 50-year career as a Labour politician, and international musician Roy Bailey are presenting The Writing on the Wall: A History of Dissent in Words and Song at the venue in Newbold Terrace on Sunday at 7.30pm.

The pair have performed the show, which won the Best Live Act at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards in 2003, across Britain at the Celtic Connections Festival, the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival, and the Purcell Rooms on the South Bank and received a standing ovation from 9,000 people at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2000.

Tony’s illuminating and amusing stories recall memories and anecdotes from a lifetime at the forefront of British politics. When he retired he declared he was doing so “in order to spend more time in politics”.

Roy has appeared on stage, television and radio around the world, including in Vancouver, Sydney, Cape Town and Stockholm. In 1998 he gave a hugely successful concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall celebrating 40 years as a performer.

Tony refers to him as “the greatest socialist folksinger of his generation”.

Tickets cost £16 or £15 if booked online. Call 0845 2183540 or visit www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk

The evening forms part of Leamington Looks Back, a two-week festival - organised by Leamington group Heritage Matters – dedicated to exploring the history of the town.

A full programme of more than 50 events is available at libraries, galleries, community centres and other public spaces in Warwick district and online.