insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 03 - May 2015 | Page 35

arts+entertainment

Part of Brighton Fringe, don’t miss

AN EVENING OF REGENCY
SPLENDOUR AT ANGEL HOUSE
Who hasn’t looked inland from Brighton beach and wondered about those
grand houses holding their own amongst the inelegant hubbub of seafront
hotels? Angel House is one such tantalising townhouse, which is to open its
doors this May to host a series of dance evenings as part of Brighton Fringe.

For four nights only, a modest ticket to dance
will grant you unusual access to all manner of
Regency splendours. Did you know that interior
design first earned its stripes (or swags, or
curlicues!) in the Regency period? Cornices and
coving, ballustrades and dado rails, chandeliers
and chaise longues; all resplendent in a palette
of delectable colours.
It’s thought that Angel House, one of the
first properties completed as part of Charles
Busby’s ambitious Brunswick estate, is that bit
more ornate than other comparable properties
because it was designed as a show home
to entice well-heeled London investors and
bourgeoisie down to the coast.
This year the House starts a new life as an
exclusive venue for weddings, cultural events,
and corporate hire. In (numerous) previous
incarnations it has played host to a therapeutic
community, served as a boarding house for

actors, been converted into a dentist’s surgery
and, of course, was once a well-to-do private
residence at a time when entertaining at home
was the new going out. Times change, but not
so very much…
Regency Delights is Angel House’s first foray
into festival territory, and it looks set to impress.
The formula is hard to resist, starting with a
Regency cocktail (a ‘Mr Darcy’ – what else!)
in the Salon bar. Guests then ascend to the
Regency Suite where Dance Master Henry
Adams will coax them painlessly towards
mastery of such period delights as Gathering
Peascods and Jenny Plucked Pears. Really Mr
Darcy, what’s not to love about a genteel twirl
or three, with a seaview, a gin punch, and some
very charming company!
Regency Delights takes place at One Brunswick
Terrace on the 6th, 9th, 13th and 20th May
with dance sessions scheduled at 6.30pm

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and 8.00pm. Improvised role-play and the
knowledgeable guidance of gentleman, bon
vivant and host, Mr Adams, will provide guests
with an unusual and very entertaining insight
into Georgian and Regency domestic and
cultural life, as well a great opportunity to
broaden your knowledge of Brighton’s social
history.
Angel House
1 Brunswick Terrace
Hove
BN3 1HN
01273 711159
www.angel-house.com
@

@

@AngelHouseHove
/angel.house.hove