Events across Sussex in February 2014
Now until 19 February - French Sculpture and Fire garden masterpiece, with ceremonial burning
With evening of fire on 19 February
Internationally acclaimed French artist Denis Tricot gently transforms landscapes and buildings across the world with his beautiful, undulating wooden sculptures. Discover his creation at Nymans this winter – elegant waves and arches of poplar wood that weave their way across the lawns and into the romantic ruins of the house.
To mark the anniversary of the fire that destroyed Nymans – the Messel family’s home – the sculpture will be dramatically set ablaze in darkness on 19 February, accompanied by the haunting and beautiful Hungarian gypsy music of cellist and singer Vania Dombrovszky, in a live concert.
19 February, 6pm. Booking normal admission price. Booking essential on tel: 01444 405250.
For further information visit www.nationaltrust.org/nymans; Nymans, West Sussex
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11-15 February - Derren Brown: Infamous
7.30pm. The multi award-winning, acknowledged master of psychological illusion returns to the stage in 2013 with his new one-man show Derren Brown: Infamous. The show promises to demonstrate once again why Derren is one of the world’s most renowned live performers; a dark manipulator of magic and mind control.
Tickets: £39.90-£58.40. Theatre Royal, Brighton: 0844 871 7650
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13 February - Women of the World Comedy Showcase
8pm. An extraordinary line-up of comedic talent comes to Crawley starring some of the very best stand-ups in the country.
Tickets: £13.50. The Hawth, Crawley: 01293 553636
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15-16 February - Blink, By Phil Porter
7.30pm. This is the tale of Jonah, Sophie, and a fox called Scruffilitis. It’s a love story. A dysfunctional, voyeuristic and darkly funny love story, but a love story all the same. Against the lonely backdrop of London, the worlds of two shy individuals collide and a charming, delicate and darkly funny story unfolds before your eyes.
Age 14+. Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions). Studio Theatre, Brighton: 01273 709709
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15-23 February - Rye Bay Scallop Week
If you’ve never watched a scallop race then you could be in for a real treat as the ancient Cinque Ports town of Rye, East Sussex heads towards its 12th Rye Bay Scallop week. The hilarious What a Load of Scallops race sees teams running around the town with barrowloads of shells, competing for the acclaimed Scallop Trophy. This is just one of the dozens of quirky events organised to celebrate the delicious shellfish for which Rye is justifiably renowned.
A host of scallop-themed events are planned for the festival and details of cookery schools, shucking demonstrations, tastings, quizzes and themed music nights are all featured on the website, www.scallop.org.uk
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16 February - How to Catch a Star
11am and 2pm. Follow Boy on his incredible journey across land, sea and skies in his search for a very special starry friend. An irresistible blend of music, puppetry and storytelling for small people aged 3-7 years and grown-up stargazers.
Tickets: £7.50, Family of four £26. Connaught Studio, Worthing: 01903 206206
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17 February - Sussex Wildlife Trust: It’s Cold Outside
10.30am-3pm. Beat the half-term rainy day blues with a day of fun family activities with Sussex Wildlife Trust at Seven Sisters Country Park near Seaford. There are seeds to sow, animal homes to make and ideas for wildlife gardens. If the weather is kind everyone will don wellies to follow the wildlife trail through the woods, and, if not, there’s the welcome shelter of the Pump Barn for wild art and craft activities. Suitable for children aged 5-11 years; an adult must accompany children. Cost for SWT members £5 per child, non-members £7.50 per child. Booking essential.
For more information and online booking tel: 01273 497561 or visit: www.sussexwildlifetrust.org/events
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17-18 February - Van Morrison
8pm. Van Morrison is a legendary artist with one of the most enduring and consistently impressive careers in musical history. Fans old and new should not miss this opportunity to see him live.
Tickets: £46.50- £76.50. The Dome, Brighton: 01273 709709
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19 February - Noel Coward’s Private Lives
7.30pm. Elyot Chase (Toby Stephens) and Amanda Prynne (Anna Chancellor) are glamorous, rich, reckless...and divorced. Five years later, their love for one another is unexpectedly rekindled when they take adjoining suites of a French hotel while honeymooning with their new spouses.
Tickets: £14.50. Connaught Cinema, Worthing: 01903 206206
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21 February-1 March - The Winslow Boy By Terrence Rattigan
7.45pm. Inspired by true events, The Winslow Boy is the story of a family’s fight to clear their son’s name. Written in 1946 when human rights conventions were being drafted in the wake of the war, Rattigan’s choice of a story about a young naval cadet accused of stealing a five shilling postal order in the years leading up to the First World War was an inspired piece of lateral thinking. He understood that for rights to be universal, they have to apply all the way down the line.
Sunday performances are matinees, starting at 2.30pm. Tickets: £7-£10. New Venture Theatre, Brighton: 01273 546118
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22 February - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Berlioz Overture, Le Corsaire
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Brahms Symphony No. 2
Vasily Petrenko, conductor
Kirill Gerstein, piano
7.30pm. Overlooking Lake Wörthersee in the small Austrian resort of Pörtschach, Johannes Brahms set about creating a symphony that captured all he saw: a clear, light day; the infinite beauty of the sunset; the stillness of night; a peaceful awakening and gratitude for another day; and the miracle of life. And yet its musicians were to play, said Brahms, as if “with a ribbon of mourning around their arm”. Such meeting of glowing melancholy and piercing brightness created what many consider to be Brahms’s finest symphony. In contrast Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is a rapturous and devious dance, played here by the supremely gifted Kirill Gerstein.
Tickets: £10-£32.50. The Dome, Brighton: 01273 709709
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22 February - The Knicker Lady
2pm and 7.30pm. Her brilliant one-woman show combines drama, satire and sometimes broad comedy as she tells the fascinating, often hilarious, story of women’s lives over the last 250 years.
Tickets: £14.50. Connaught Theatre, Worthing: 01903 206206
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22 February - Twelfth Night
3pm and 8pm. Two worlds collide in Filter’s explosive new take on Shakespeare’s lyrical Twelfth Night.
Age 14+. Tickets: £14 (£12 concessions), U26s £10. Corn Exchange, Brighton: 01273 709709
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24 February - Punt and Dennis
7.30pm. It’s 20 years since The Mary Whitehouse Experience hit our screens; 12 years since The Now Show arrived on Radio 4; five years since Mock the Week began on BBC2; and three years since Punt and Dennis last toured the UK. There is, therefore, no excuse for not writing a brand-new show and getting out on the road.
Tickets: £27.40-£42.40. Theatre Royal, Brighton: 0844 871 7650
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25 February - Kerry Ellis and Brian May: The Candlelight Concerts
7.30pm. Rock goddess Kerry Ellis and Queen’s legendary guitarist Brian May are teaming up again with a majestic brand new acoustic show. The Candlelight Concerts promise to impress and entertain audiences with their stunning fusion of Kerry’s beautiful voice and Brian’s awe-inspiring guitar performances – all in support of the world-famous Born Free Foundation.
Don’t miss Brian May performing new arrangements of songs he has specially chosen to be sung by Kerry, accompanying her on both guitar and vocals, for this stunning candlelit, acoustic show.
Tickets: £40. Congress Theatre, Eastbourne: 01323 412000
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25 February-1 March - Kindertransport
7.45pm. Starring Janet Dibley. This is a timely and unmissable production of a deeply moving, critically acclaimed, modern classic. A stunning story of love and loss, past and present and hope for the future.
Tickets: £14.50-£22.00. Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne: 01323 412000.
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26 February-1 March - Rambert: Featuring Rooster
7.30pm. Rambert presents Rooster, Christopher Bruce’s electrifying 1960 celebration set to music by the Rolling Stones. Plus, Merce Cunnigham’s seminal piece Sounddance, Richard Alston’s witty solo Dutiful Ducks and a world première by Barak Marshall – arresting, original and fevered in style, this is a rare chance to see work by one of America’s most celebrated choreographers.
Thur Matinee 1.30pm. Tickets: £11.90-£32.40. Theatre Royal, Brighton: 0844 871 7650
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27 February - La Traviata
Russian State Ballet and Opera House
7.30pm. A tragic and resonant tale of society and morality, La Traviata combines compelling characters with hugely powerful, moving and instantly recognisable melodies. Performed to a large, live orchestra.
Tickets: £27-£30. White Rock Theatre, Hastings: 01424 462288
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1 March - Swing Time Ball
The Grand Hotel, Brighton
6.30pm-1.00am. The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy is holding a Swing Time Ball gala event where you can re-live the style, glamour and romance of the great swing era, with an evening of Big Band swing, cabaret, vintage style and dancing until the early hours at one of Brighton’s most famous venues, the Grand Hotel. Tickets are £85, which includes a drinks reception, three-course meal and fabulous entertainment. Plus you will have the chance to win some fantastic raffle and auction prizes.
For more information and to book tickets please contact catherine.bristow@dvltrust.org.uk or tel: 01403 780444
