In March we learned about NDEs (Near Death Experiences) and musical odysseys from film director Jak Hutchcraft, cinephile Linsay McCulloch explored the role of women in Second World War films and I stepped in last minute to talk about American cartoonist B. Kliban. 
For April we welcome Shoreham’s Annie Alexander and the return of Ben Bailey and author Rebecca Stott. 

In March we learned about John Piper’s quirky mid-twentieth century Shell Guide for motorists from historian Sarah Watson, Fiona McWilliam explored the politics of knitting and Alf Le Flohic revealed the story of a leather-loving  gay men’s biker group, The Sussex Lancers.
We return April 9th with Pestival creator Bridget Nichols, music journalist Dan Spicer and psychogeographer Rachel Poulton. 
And of course a song or a poem from Jane Bom-Bane. 

Plus a short Ivor Cutler set from David Bramwell, Eliza Skelton and Jane Bom-Bane

With David Bramwell, Eliza Skelton and Jane Bom-Bane 

Poet and musician Ivor Cutler is best-known for his funny, surreal and bittersweet poems and songs. He was  also interested in silence, Zen philosophy and nonsense. A lifelong fan of Cutler’s work, in 2018 David  presented Ivor Cutler at 90 as a BBC R4 Archive on Four and has twice performed onstage with Ivor’s partner Phyllis King. In this talk David explore’s what made this dour Scotsman such a unique talent and reveals how his own, strange relationship with Ivor led to his being given access to an extensive archive of Cutler’s work. Expect plenty of pregnant pauses, knees pickled in cheese and a harmonium drenched short set of Ivor’s songs and poems at the end from David, Eliza and Jane. 

Plus! 

Why did the world’s worst orchestra split up at the peak of their powers? Who were they? Why did Brian Eno join them on clarinet? Did they really shock the classical world and get banned from the airwaves, despite a Top 20 hit? 

This entertaining and thought-provoking talk uncovers the group’s unique history, offers (hilarious) recordings and rare film footage and asks Zappa’s famous question: does humour belong in music?

For optional set festival menu before show TEXT Jane on 077 64 5155 83

Mark Farrelly (Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, Howerd’s End, Jarman) presents his riveting, kinetic solo show portraying one of the great English writers of the inter-war years. Patrick Hamilton was a dazzling success in his twenties, producing hit plays Rope (filmed by Hitchcock) Gaslight (which gave us the modern term ‘gaslighting’), and classic novels Hangover Square and The Slaves of Solitude. But Hamilton was also an alcoholic, whose wit darkened as his inner and outer worlds collapsed.

Covering the entire sweep of Hamilton’s thrilling life and writing, The Silence of Snow entertains and challenges, asking: why do so many of us get through life without feeling we ever truly knew another person?
Running time: 70 mins no interval

​Written and performed by Mark Farrelly
Directed by Linda Marlowe

★★★★ “You won’t be able to take your eyes off this magnetic actor Mark Farrelly. He inhabits the character of Hamilton with a blazing fluidity” The Times

★★★★ “Horrifyingly funny snapshot of the wit, novelist and playwright…brilliant” The Spectator