John Simpson – The Leaders and Lunatics Tour
24 October @ 7.30pm
About John Simpson – The Leaders and Lunatics Tour
With nearly 60 years of unparalleled access to world leaders—and lunatics—John will explore the personalities that have shaped history.
From notorious figures including Putin, Assad, Saddam, Gaddafi—and Trump—to admired leaders such as Gorbachev, Mandela, Havel, and Zelensky, he’ll reveal their common threads, unique quirks, and lasting impact.
What makes a tyrant? Are they mad, or more calculating than we’d like to believe? Will Trump’s deal-making bring peace, or give dictators room to manoeuvre? And in a world of wars and climate catastrophe, who’s actually leading?
In the second half, the floor is yours. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the collapse of the Soviet Union, from the Iranian Revolution to the Gulf Wars and Tiananmen Square, John has been there.
This evening examines how sane societies slip into despotism, and how this can happen with unexpected ease. Ask your questions as John offers insights into past and present events, an enlightening evening for our troubled times.
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
From £40.00
Tickets are subject to a transaction fee of £4.00
Dates & times:
Saturday 24 October 2026 at 7.30pm
Doors open at 7.00pm
Age guidance:
14+
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