Shaggy rocker Johnny Borrell is to give a talk about the history of real tennis. The Razorlight star will appear at the Idler Academy on 11 July to discuss his fondness for the Tudor pass-time.
Real tennis is a progenitor of the modern game, and was famously played by Henry VIII before he got all corpulent and gouty. The variant uses cork balls and a court with intruding roofs, which shots can be played off. More here, if you've never seen the sport.
Borrell apparently developed a passion for the game during a 'real tennis tour of Hampton Court and other venues'. Find out whether he has the Golden Touch, or is inclined to Stumble and Fall by booking for the talk now.
Zen and the Art of Real Tennis is at the Idler Academy, 81 Westbourne Park Road on 11 July. Tickets are £20, which includes a glass of wine.
Image by Jesmond Dene under Creative Commons licence.
