Our guide to the best events in and around the county this month
Theatre
Harry Hill: Pedigree fun!
This first post-lockdown tour features Sarah the baby elephant, Ian the Information Worm, and the return of the much-loved helpful Stouffer the Cat. Tickets cost £31.
Where: De La Warr Pavilion
When: October 7th at 7pm
More information: dlwp.com
Local Hero
Originally a heart-warming Bill Forsyth film, this stage adaptation penned by David Grieg features music and lyrics by original score composer Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. Tony Award-winning Gabriel Ebert makes his UK debut as a hotshot 1980s oil executive sent to a remote Scottish fishing village to convince the locals to sell up, so his company can build a new refinery. Tickets start at £21.
Where: Chichester Festival Theatre
When: October 8-November 10, Various times
More information: cft.org.uk
Glyndebourne Tour
Glyndebourne is gearing up for its annual trip around the country. Going on the road after these home premieres are: The Marriage of Figaro, which is set in the dying days of Franco’s Spanish regime, the recast 2022 festival hit La Boheme and intimate new chamber opera Glass Human by Samantha Fernando and Melanie Wilson. Tickets from £10.
Where: Glyndebourne, near Glynde
When: October 8 - 29, 4pm
More information: glyndebourne.com/tour
Flavia & Jimi: Our Life at the Barn
Ahead of her starring role in this year’s Worthing panto Jack and the Beanstalk, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Flavia Cacace-Mistry is debuting her new live show with husband actor and chef Jimi Mistry. Having met on the BBC show in 2010, the couple decided two years ago to turn their back on the city lights in favour of a Devon smallholding. Tickets start at £19.50.
Where: Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
When: October 9, 7.30pm
More information: wtm.uk
The Black Blues Brothers
An acrobatic tribute to the 1980 movie. Expect a mix of balancing, fire stunts and human pyramids in a nightclub setting, soundtracked by hits from the movie. Also at Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, on Sunday, October 16. from £26.
Where: De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
When: October 11, 6.45pm
More information: dlwp.com
Spike
One of Sussex’s comic heroes is remembered in this play penned by Private Eye’s Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. Gavin and Stacey star Robert Wilfort plays Spike Milligan as Goon-mania takes hold in 1950s austerity Britain. But Spike, who spent his last 20 years in Udimore, near Rye, has to go into battle with the BBC to realise his comic vision. Tickets from £13.
Where: Theatre Royal Brighton
When: October 11-15, 7.45pm, 2.30pm matinees on Thurs and Sat
More information: atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
Joe Lycett: More more more!
The artist and rights campaigner formerly known as Hugo Boss embarks on his first tour in years, mixing jokes, anecdotes and disturbing paintings. Tickets are £32
Where: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
When: October 14 at 7.30pm
More information: brightondome.org
An Evening with Richard E Grant
Richard E Grant’s latest book takes its name from his beloved wife Joan’s challenge to him before she died in 2021 - to find a pocketful of happiness every day. The Withnail and I star will mix tales from his appearances in Dr Who and Spice World with his reflections on love and loss. Tickets from £22.
Where: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
When: October 16 at 7.30pm
More information: brightondome.org
Noises Off
An all-star cast of UK talent is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Michael Frayn’s backstage farce about a farce. Felicity Kendal, Jonathan Coy, Matthew Kelly and Tracy-Ann Oberman are the touring players whose behind-the-scenes disasters gradually creep onto the stage. Tickets from £13.
Where: Theatre Royal Brighton
When: October 18-22 7.45pm, 2.30pm matinees on Wed, Thurs and Sat
More information: atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
Frankenstein
A scientist’s desire to defeat death leads to the creation of a hideous creature in this in-house production of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror. Tickets start at £14.
Where: The Hawth Studio, Crawley
When: October 20-22, Thurs 1pm, Fri 10am, 1.30pm & 7.45pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.45pm,
More information: parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth
The Mousetrap
Sadly Covid broke this London legend’s unbeaten run in the West End, but Agatha Christie’s thriller is still packing them in. This touring production stars former EastEnders Todd Carty, John Altman and Gwyneth Strong - also known as Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses. Tickets from £13.
Where: Theatre Royal Brighton
When: October 24-29 at 7.45 pm, and with 2.30 pm matinees on Thurs and Sat,
More information: atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
Darker Shores
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
A troubled East Sussex guest house is at the centre of this Victorian-period thriller starring Max Caulfield, Juliet Mills and Michael Praed.
When: October 24-29 at 7.45 pm, with 2.30 pm matinees on Wed and Sat, from £23.50.
More information: eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Kerry Godliman: BOSH
Having taken starring roles in Ricky Gervais comedies Derek and After Life, as well as popping up in Channel Four’s The Undeclared War, Kerry Godliman is back to her first love: stand-up. This new tour sees her offload on her mum-guilt, needy cat and disappointing camper van. Tickets at £17.50.
Where: The Capitol, Horsham
When: October 28 at 8pm
More information: thecapitolhorsham.com
Suzi Ruffell: Snappy
This follow-up to her acclaimed stand-up tour Dance Like Everyone is Watching sees Suzi explore settling down and becoming a mother while still worrying about everything on the news. Tickets are £16.
Where: Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead
When: October 29 at 8 pm
More information: chequermead.org.uk
Music
James Taylor
One of the biggest names to come out of the early-1970s’ explosion of US singer-songwriters, James Taylor scooped his sixth Grammy for his latest album American Standard. Tickets start at £50.15
Where: Brighton Centre
When: October 13 at 7.30 pm.
More information: brightoncentre.co.uk
The Unthanks
Since the release 2015 BBC Folk Album of the Year, Mount the Air, Tyne and Wear sisters The Unthanks have soundtracked BBC hits Detectorists and Worzel Gummidge, as well as celebrated the songwriting of Molly Drake. New album, Sorrows Away, sees them backed by an 11-piece band. Tickets from £25.
Where: St George’s Church, Brighton
When: October 14, Doors open 7 pm
More information: meltingvinyl.co.uk
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Last year marked the 35th anniversary of Paul Simon’s album Graceland, which brought this South African vocal group to international fame. Described by Nelson Mandela as ‘South Africa’s cultural ambassadors', their distinctive harmonies have been heard at the Rugby World Cup, Carnegie Hall and on an advert for Heinz Baked Beans. Look out for them at Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion on October 20. Tickets from £29.40.
Where: Theatre Royal Brighton
When: October 16 at 7.30pm,
More information: atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
Tom Chaplin
Battle’s own voice of Keane plays a hometown show in support of Midpoint, the album he penned in 2019 when his band’s Cause and Effect tour was cut short by the pandemic. Tickets from £30.
Where: Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
When: October 20, doors open at 7.30 pm
More information: eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Harp quintet
As part of a series of events to mark the 500th anniversary of Steyning Parish Church’s Tudor carved oak panel, the Steyning Screen, a local harp quintet, will premiere a specially composed piece of music.
Where: Steyning Parish Church
When: October 23 2.30pm, TBC.
More information: steyningparishchurch.org/concerts
Joshua Burnell and Band
Winner of the Folking Awards’ Rising Star prize, York multi-instrumentalist Joshua Burnell draws his influences from across the world and genres ranging from music hall to glam rock.
Where: The Folklore Rooms, above The Quadrant, Brighton
When: October 27 8pm, £10.
More information: joshuaburnell.co.uk/tour
Sugababes
More than two decades on from their first hit Overload, the original Sugababes trio of Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan are back together under their former name, having spent seven years touring as MKS. Tickets from £45.
Where: Brighton Centre
When: October 27, doors open at 6.30 pm
More information: brightoncentre.co.uk
YolanDa’s Band Jam
Double MOBO-award-winning musician YolanDa Brown has launched a second career as a hero to preschool and infant school music lovers with her RTS Award-winning CBeebies show. Now YolanDa’s Band Jam is on the road, encouraging youngsters to discover the joy of music through singing, dancing and performing. Tickets are £15
Where: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
When: October 29 at 2 pm
More information: brightondome.org
The Feeling
Fifteen years on from their million-selling debut Twelve Stops and Home, Horsham’s The Feeling is back with a new album Loss.Hope.Love, which has been informed by frontman Daniel Gillespie Sells’ experience writing for the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Tickets are £28.50.
Where: De La Warr Pavilion
When: October 30, doors open at 7 pm
More information: dlwp.com
Exhibitions
Lee Miller & Picasso
The extraordinary life and career of Vogue model turned war correspondent and Surrealist artist Lee Miller is explored in this new exhibition. There’s a particular focus on her relationship with Picasso, who visited her home Farley Farmhouse, near Chiddingly. Tickets are £14.50, £7.25 for children, students and NHS.
Where: Newlands House Gallery, Petworth
When: Until January 8, Wed to Sat 10 am - 5 pm, Sun 11 am - 4pm,
More information: newlandshouse.gallery
Aubrey Beardsley: A Brighton Boy
Aubrey Beardsley’s distinctive black and white illustrations are still inspiring artists today, combining both eroticism and elegance. This exhibition marks the 150th anniversary of his birth in Brighton’s Buckingham Road. Tickets are £7.50 or free to Brighton and Hove residents.
Where: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
When: Until November 27 Open Tues to Sun, 10 am - 5 pm
More information: brightonmuseums.org.uk/brighton-museum-art-gallery
Brewers Towner International
A total of 23 artists were selected from an open call to share work linked to the theme Sanctuary for this biennial contemporary art exhibition. Among them are East Sussex artists Nigel Caple, Sharon Haward, Kevin Hendley, Benjamin Phillips and Amy Fenton. The Brewers Towner Award of £10,000 will be presented to one of the exhibiting artists. Duette, a film by Ayo Akingbade, the winner of 2020’s award, is being shown in Studio 2. Tickets are free.
Where: Towner Gallery, Eastbourne
When: October 15 - January 22, Tues to Sun, 10 am - 5 pm
More information: townereastbourne.org.uk
Out and about
Shoreham Wordfest
A celebration of the English language in all its forms, from novels to poetry, song to theatre. Among the highlights are appearances by Mastermind host and BBC News anchor Clive Myrie, poet laureate Simon Armitage with the LYR Band, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, and local poets Attila the Stockbroker and Henry Normal.
Plus, there’s an all-day celebration of crime-writing headlined by Simon Brett and Lynne Truss, two performances of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, and a guided tour through James Joyce’s Ulysses. Ticket prices vary
Where: Across Shoreham
When: October 3-16, Various times
More information: shorehamwordfest.com
Undercliff Run for Women
The 15th Undercliff Run is in aid of RISE, Brighton and Hove’s domestic abuse charity. All money raised through sponsorship on the 8km run will go to services supporting local families in need.
Among its services RISE provides a domestic abuse helpline, counselling and therapy, support groups and a refuge space. The 100 runners in last year’s event raised more than £25,000.
£30 for a single runner, £77 for a single runner, including donation and a technical running vest, £100 for a team of four.
Where: Saltdean to Brighton
When: October 16 at 10 am
More information: RISEuk.org.uk
Look Into My Eyes
Alan Jones speaks to Midhurst u3a about the history and mystery of hypnosis - with a promise that no one will be turned into a chicken. Tickets cost £2 for members and £3 for visitors.
Where: Methodist Church Hall, Midhurst
When: October 18 at 2.30 pm
More information: midhurstu3a.org.uk
Creepy Crafts
One of Worthing Museum’s regular arts and crafts sessions for kids aged seven to 12 takes on a Halloween theme. Tickets from £5.50.
Where: Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
When: October 28 at 11 am
More information: wtm.uk
Nosferatu
A classic of early silent cinema, and horror movies, is given a new Wurlitzer score in a show organised by the Sussex Theatre Organ Trust. Operating the keys during the 1922 take on the vampire legend will be Aaron Hawthorne. Tickets from £6.
Where: Assembly Hall, Worthing
When: October 28 at 7 pm
More information: wtm.uk
NAFAS Area Show
The Sussex Area branch of the National Association of Flower Arrangers are exhibiting their skills, alongside trade stalls, refreshments and craft and plant sales. Look out for additional talks and a flower demonstration on the day. Tickets are £2.
Where: Crowborough Community Centre
When: October 29 9.30 am - 5.30 pm
More information: sussexareashow2022@yahoo.com or call 01903 817187.
