In April we were treated to an Easter Bunny poem from Jane Bom-Bane, Dan Spicer took us on a cosmic journey into the soupy sounds of spiritual jazz, Bridget Nicholls told us about her zombie ant fungus musical, planned for Pestival at the Royal Institution in early May and psychgeographer Rachel Poulton explored the Neolithic treasures and folklore of the Isle of Wight. 
We return at the slightly earlier date of May 7th (first Thursday of the month) with musician Al Strachan, cinephile Linsay McCulloch and a third TBC, possibly a new one from me. 

In April we learned about warrior women from Shoreham’s Annie Alexander, author Rebecca Stott shared her research into the life of Lewesian Elizabeth Ollive, first wife of Thomas Paine, and Ben Bailey concluded the night with his passion for one of rock’s legendary double-acts: Meatloaf and Jim Steinman. 

For May we welcome the return of artist Nick Sayers and new speakers Sara Jones and Sarah Hiorns. 

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

Dive into an evening of storytelling where orcas rebel, anglerfish steal the spotlight, and the deep sea lights up with bioluminescent magic. Not your average ocean talk – expect sass, sparkle, and sea creatures with attitude with Elissa Phillips, Director of Incredible Oceans.

Elissa Phillips, Director of Incredible Oceans, is a voice for the sea and one of today’s most dynamic anti-whaling campaigners. She’s been invited to COP29 to speak on commercial whaling and recently brought human rights into the spotlight while moderating a high-profile panel at the UN Ocean Summit. When she’s not on the world stage, Elissa is on the road with Incredible Oceans captivating audiences with strange and wonderful ocean stories and inspiring action to protect our blue planet.

Henri Brocklebank is director of Sussex Wildlife. She will be exploring our coast’s least-known complex ecosystem – its stunning kelp forests, and highlighting their plight in the face of trawling and biodiversity loss. 

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