Highlights
ELF THE MUSICAL
@BRIGHTON CENTRE. 5-6/1.
The hugely popular 2003 holiday hit film starring Will Ferrell has been supersized into a live arena spectacular. This presentation includes amazing film backdrops on a huge LED screen as well as a mobile stage that travels around the auditorium, so everyone gets a close up view of the action. Marvel at Santa’s flying sleigh, an indoor snow storm, a giant candy cane expedition from the North Pole and participate in a giant snowball fight. West End star Steven Serlin plays Buddy the Elf alongside Birds of a Feather actor Charlie Quirke, Charlotte Hall and Barry Bloxham as Buddy’s long suffering dad. This is fantastic fun for all the family and the biggest live Christmas show in the country. As an extra treat and acknowledging that families are struggling at this time of year, the producers have reduced the ticket prices since the last time that the show was staged.
TRANSGLOBAL UNDERGROUND
@LEWES CON CLUB. 6/1.
This UK based collective formed in 1990 around a love of dance, avant-garde, Arabic, African and world music. It has always had a fluid line up but consistently features the two core members, keyboard and guitar maestro Tim Whelan and percussionist Hamilton Lee. Vocalist Natacha Atlas was a big part of their sound and has recorded with Jah Wobble, Apache Indian and her own band, Atlas Project. Their debut album, Dream of 1000 Nations, was released in 1993 and featured the single, Templehead, which, although not a hit, was championed by many influential DJs including Andy Weatherall and was used in a Coca Cola advertising campaign during the 1996 Olympic Games. Their second collection, International Times, released the next year and was followed by a further nine albums culminating in 2020’s Walls Have Ears, which saw the return of Atlas and founder member, bassist and sampler, Count Dubulah.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
@THEATRE ROYAL. 9-13/1.
Agatha Christie described this tale, released in 1939 with an original title that was extremely problematic, as the most difficult of her books to write but it went on to become the best selling crime novel of all time with more that 100 million copies sold. This is a brand new production from director Lucy Bailey that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon. When a storm cuts them off from the mainland, the true reason for their presence on the island becomes horribly clear. Holby City’s Bob Barrett heads up a talented cast that includes many stage and screen veterans including Joseph Beattie (Silent Witness), Oliver Clayton (The Play That Goes Wrong), Jeffrey Kissoon (National Theatre), Katy Stephens (London’s Burning), Nicola May-Taylor (Rutherford and Son) and Louise McNulty from ITV’s Emmerdale.
HUGH CORNWELL
@CONCORDE 2. 24/1.
As frontman of The Stranglers during the first part of their career, Cornwell’s work is a songwriting masterclass. It’s been over fifty years since he first picked up a bass guitar to play in a school band at William Ellis School in Highgate with Fairport Convention’s Richard Thompson. After forming the band Johnny Sox in Sweden he returned to the UK in 1974 where Jet Black and Jean-Jacques Burnel joined and they changed their name to the Guildford Stranglers. By 1977 they had shortened the name and signed to United Artists, releasing a string of Cornwell penned hits, including the 1981 number one, Golden Brown, and becoming the most successful band to emerge from the UK punk scene. He left the band in 1990 and has released over ten solo albums and collaborations, including 2016’s collection of covers, This Time It’s Personal, with punk poet John Cooper Clarke.
JO WHILEY’S 90s ANTHEMS
@CONCORDE 2. 27/1
Radio and television presenter Whiley became, along with Steve Lamacq, the voice of the 90s on Radio 1’s The Evening Session at the height of Britpop. Starting her career on BBC Radio Sussex she secured her first presenting job on a Radio 4 youth culture and music show after hosts Terry Christian and Gary Crowley left. She moved into television soon after and became researcher on Channel 4’s The Word, alongside her friend Zoe Ball. She became a regular presenter on Top of the Pops and is listed as one of the ‘90s girls’ on their website. From 1997 she hosted her own show on Radio 1 and introduced the popular The Live Lounge feature. After a shake up at the station in 2011 she moved to Radio 2, where she has been ever since. Tonight she’ll be playing all the hits from the greatest decade in music.
SASSY SOBER BRIGHT’HUNS
@CLUB REVENGE. 27/01
Have you ever wanted to go to a nightclub but are worried about drinking alcohol? There’s no reason to miss out anymore because you can attend the very first sober clubbing experience brought to you by Sober Bright’huns, taking place at Club Revenge. This event encourages people living a sober life to party and dance the afternoon away in a non judgemental environment. You don’t have to be sober to attend just respectful of the lifestyle or sober curious. Just think, a hangover free day of fun, meeting like minded people and then it’s home to put your feet up and enjoy some dinner. It’s reverse clubbing and perfect for Dry January.
@soberbrighthuns
ANDALUCIA: FLAMENCO
@THE OLD MARKET. 28/1.
Unique, innovative and spellbinding, this extra special concert is a musical representation of the eight regions that make up the autonomous community of Andalusia in the South of Spain. This is the birthplace of flamenco and the regions represented are Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz, Malaga, Jaen, Granada, Huelva and Almeria. Each of these regions have their own distinct take on the many diverse styles that make up flamenco. The oldest record of this art form dates back to 1774 in the book Las Cartas Marruecas (The Moroccan Letters) by Jose Cadalso and has been well documented ever since. Tonight, the award-winning Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company will be presenting their second show that will highlight Daniel’s virtuoso guitar playing along with an array of musicians, singers, a chamber orchestra and flamenco dancers. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience, where the stunning beauty of classical music meets the passion and fire of flamenco.
LGBTQ+
BRIGHTON’S GOT TALENT
@GLAMOROUS BRIGHTON. 15/01.
Join Kandi Krush and a plethora of amazing judges including Latos XX and Cherry Shakewell to enjoy the highly anticipated 2nd season of Brighton’s Got Talent. You can also enter the competition and be in with the chance to win an amazing prize package! Follow the Instagram page for more details @brightonsgottalent. Season 1 winner JackFruit may also be making a special appearance along with Gaylien De Mars and so much more amazing young talent. The event is the perfect supportive platform if you wish to launch your career in cabaret, comedy, burlesque, drag – the list goes on.
AHOY SAILOR WITH CHERRY BOMB
@MARINE TAVERN. 4/11/18/25/01.
Ahaaaa ship mates, me hearties calling all good sea fairing folk and land lovers. Come and join the raucous fun every Thursday night at one of Brighton’s oldest and best loved LGBTQ venues. The fun starts at 8.30pm. Expect much frivolity with this crazy quiz come drag show with one of the city’s most fabulous drag performers. Cherry Bomb will have you on your feet dancing and much audience participation and prizes (?) Expect a warm welcome from the brand new team in this gorgeous wood paneled pub of joy.
Family
SKIP’S FAMILY WORKSHOP – WINTER IN NARNIA
@THEATRE ROYAL. 13/1.
Based on the classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, this is a magical workshop packed full of imaginative arts and crafts. An experience for all the family, that gives you a chance to both take a break and spend some special time together.
LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
@BRIGHTON DOME. 20/1.
For the Mendelssohns and the Schumanns, musical genius was a family affair. Ukranian conductor Natalia Ponomarchuk follows Felix and Fanny from Berlin to 19th century Scotland while pianist Alexander Melnikov explores the relationship between a husband and wife dedicated to their art and each other.
PETER PAN
@FRESHFIELD HALL. 25-28/1.
Journey once more to Neverland in this retelling of J.M Barrie’s classic tale of a boy who never grew up. Side splitting comedy sits alongside hilarious modern twists in this big adventure for all the family, written by award winning pantomime performer Tom Whalley.
