insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 08 - October 2015 | Page 27

EVENTS Before The Party // 19-24 Oct Tony Christie // 23 Oct The war is over and the Skinner family is trying to return to normal. If only the blasted government wasn’t such a nuisance with rationing preventing Cook from acquiring delicious delicacies. With daughter Laura returned from Africa, widowed but not alone, they prepare for the latest social gathering. Rodney Ackland, who adapted the play from a short story by Somerset Maugham, has recently seen a huge resurgence in the popularity of his work, which is much admired by such artists as Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and originally Dame Edith Evans and Sir John Gielgud. Tony Christie recently celebrated 50 years in music. As a teenager he and a friend formed The Grant Brothers, touring hospitals and working men’s’ clubs. After they parted Tony joined northern club sensations The Counterbeats until leaving to go solo in 1966. He was spotted by mod-guru and Who producer Shel Talmy and was soon winning awards. At one such ceremony he met manager Harvey Lisberg, who promised to make him a star. At the start of 1971 “Las Vegas” hit the charts and after that the international hits began to flow. These were big songs for a big voice and they were followed by big tours, establishing a large and loyal fan base. 7.45pm (Wednesday and Saturday matinee 2.30pm). Price: £19-£26.50 Devonshire Park Theatre, Compton Street, Eastbourne BN21 4BW www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk / 01323 412000 7.30pm. Price: £28.50 White Rock Theatre, White Rock, Hastings TN34 1JX www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk / 01424 462288 The Noise Next Door // 20 Oct The UK’s premier improv comedy troupe are back! Following 2014’s sell-out show at The Connaught Studio, the Brighton boys are back in town with more made-up-on-thespot songs, gags, stories, silliness and stacks of audience participation. Hosted by co-founder Russ Bravo, expect a warm welcome and a fun night out for all ages from 12 upwards. Wedding Reception Open Day // 24 Oct The Chichester Cathedral Wedding Open Day is a fantastic opportunity to find out about the venues and what is on offer. You can see the range of venues available within the Cathedral grounds for your Wedding Reception. You can also view the luxurious accommodation available. Please register to secure your place and receive a goody bag and glass of bubbly courtesy of Chichester Cathedral. 11am. Price: Free Chichester Cathedral, Cathedral Cloisters, Chichester PO19 1PX www.cathedralenterprises.co.uk / 01243 813586 8pm. Price: £9 Connaught Studio, Union Place, Worthing BN11 1LG www.worthingtheatres.co.uk / 01903 206206 The Haunted Dolls’ House // 23 Oct The Haunted Dolls' House, based on the brilliantly creepy ghost story by the master of the genre M. R. James, is a creepy treat. Mr Dillett is intrigued by curiosities. When his eye lights on a beautifully decorated, fully furnished dolls’ house in his favourite antique emporium, the shopkeeper is only too eager to sell it to him… for a fair price, of course! A delighted Mr Dillett takes the dolls’ house home with him, unpacks it, sets it up and displays it to its full advantage, but it’s not until the moon is up, the curtains drawn, and the lamps are lit that the object of his delight reveals its truly terrifying secret and embroils Dillett in its ghastly past in a way that he could never have imagined! Interested in the night sky? Fancy looking at the stars, planets and the moon through some of the country's largest telescopes? Well here is your opportunity! Come and join the astronomers on their open evenings and take a glimpse of what it’s like to use these amazing instruments. 7.45pm. Price: £12 The Capitol Horsham, North Street, Horsham RH12 1RG www.thecapitolhorsham.com / 01403 750220 6.30pm. Price: £8 (children 4-16 years old £6.15) The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, Hailsham BN27 1RN www.the-observatory.org / 01323 832731 Star Gazing Open Evening // 24 Oct 27