Some of Speakers Corner's favourite after dinner speakers, comedians, TV presenters and cabaret acts will be performing at this year's Henley Festival

Straight after the famous Henley Regatta , Henley-on-Thames is host to one of the most exciting and best-loved arts festivals in the country.  The Henley Festival 2009  will be no exception.

Lasting 5 nights, the glorious Black Tie event offers some of the best in music, theatre, comedy and dance set against the magificent backdrop of the River Thames.

Some of Speakers Corner's favourite after dinner speakers , comedy & cabaret  acts and  TV presenters  are performing and visitors will be thrilled with this year's line-up including Katherine Jenkins, Sir Michael Parkinson, John Barrowman and Jo Brand .

On the music front, writer and broadcaster John Suchet will introduce an evening of Beethoven and there will be performances from Ray Gelato, the Bootleg Beetles, a Puccini evening introduced by James Naughtie and Broadway's Three Mo' Tenors with their debut UK appearance.  Comedians appearing include impressionist Jan Raven, Radio 4 stalwart Arthur Smith and Tim Fitzhigham  with his Flaunders & Swann act, but topping the bill is the award-winning comedienne Jo Brand.

All this and much more on offer, the 2009 Festival is sure to be a winner.