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Thursday 26 February 2016

IRVINE WELSH AND ROBERT CARLYLE DISCUSS THE INFAMOUS BEGBIE IN AN

EXCLUSIVE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT

In an exclusive event for the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Booked! programme the

acclaimed author Irvine Welsh will be joined by actor Robert Carlyle as he launches his new

novel, The Blade Artist, which catches up with Welsh’s iconic character, Francis Begbie. Carlyle

memorably played Begbie in Danny Boyle’s 1996 movie Trainspotting, and will reprise the role in

Boyle’s forthcoming sequel. This is a one-off opportunity to see the writer and actor in

conversation on a beguiling, often sickening but never uninteresting character and a world which

has been central to the careers of both. The event will take place at the Usher Hall at 4.00pm on

Sunday 10th April and will last for 90 minutes, including an audience question and answer

session, and will be followed by a book signing. Booked! is supported by players of People’s

Postcode Lottery.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “Francis Begbie is already

a formidable character in Irvine Welsh’s novels. In the Trainspotting movie, Robert Carlyle

elevates Begbie to an unforgettable screen icon: ultra-violent and alpha-male, while also quite

complex with regard to friendships and sexuality. It’s a real treat that Irvine’s latest novel revisits

this fascinating character, and even more exciting that Robert will join Irvine in this special

Edinburgh International Book Festival event to discuss a career-defining role.”

Can a man such as Trainspotting’s iconic, volcanic Francis Begbie ever fully escape a blood-

soaked past? Irvine Welsh’s new novel confronts the reader once again with his most devilish

and destructive figure – now seemingly mellowed by the Californian sun. The Blade Artist finds

Begbie, newly named Jim Francis, living with his wife and daughters and working as a successful

sculptor in the USA. When the son he barely knew is killed back home, Begbie’s new life is set on

a collision course with his violent history and the enemies it holds. Reformed artist or repressed

psychopath: which side of this deeply divided man will win out?

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FRANCES SUTTON, PRESS MANAGER:

frances@edbookfest.co.uk / Tel: 0131 718 5654 / Mob: 07841 579481The Edinburgh International Book Festival Ltd is a Scottish charity (SC010120) and a limited company (registered in Scotland no 79939)

and has its registered office at 5A Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR.

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Tickets will be available from The Usher Hall from 10am on Friday 26 February, priced £12 (£10

concessions) and seating is allocated. The Usher Hall Box office is open 10.00am to 5.30pm

Monday to Saturday, Tel 0131 228 1155 or https://tickets.usherhall.co.uk. Copies of The Blade

Artist will be available to purchase at the event.

This event is part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Booked! programme, supported

by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Booked! is the Edinburgh International Book Festival on

the road around Scotland, throughout the year. A celebration of words and ideas, Booked! blends

the very best from groups and organisations across the country with the energy and

excitement of the August Book Festival. Produced in collaboration with a variety of partners, this

wide-ranging programme of events and activities brings authors, artists and audiences together

to inspire each other and to be inspired, to share stories and experiences, and bring books to life

for people of all ages in their own communities.

Clara Govier, Head of Charities, People’s Postcode Lottery, said “I’m delighted that players of

People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting Booked! It is fantastic that through this support the

Edinburgh International Book Festival is being taken on the road throughout Scotland allowing

more people than ever to experience every that the Festival has to offer.”

-ends-

For further information please contact:

Frances Sutton, Press Manager, Edinburgh International Book Festival

frances@edbookfest.co.uk or 0131 718 5654

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FRANCES SUTTON, PRESS MANAGER:

frances@edbookfest.co.uk / Tel: 0131 718 5654 / Mob: 07841 579481The Edinburgh International Book Festival Ltd is a Scottish charity (SC010120) and a limited company (registered in Scotland no 79939)

and has its registered office at 5A Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FRANCES SUTTON, PRESS MANAGER:

frances@edbookfest.co.uk / Tel: 0131 718 5654 / Mob: 07841 579481The Edinburgh International Book Festival Ltd is a Scottish charity (SC010120) and a limited company (registered in Scotland no 79939)

and has its registered office at 5A Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR.