MARK INSCOE SUSSEX-BASED CELEBRANT WITH LOVE FROM THE HIMALAYAS
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QUEER BLOOMSBURY
The full programme for the annual Queer Bloomsbury festival has been revealed. Jam-packed with enlightening conversations, explosive performances and live art making, it heads to Charleston in Firle on Sat 14 Sept and brings together leading queer, LGBTQ+ voices.
Challenging the status quo and imagine new ways of living, just as the Bloomsbury group did a century ago, the festival features a dynamic talks programme, including an event exploring the hierarchy of high and low art, in Queer Art, with art curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley, artist duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings and artist Rene Matić.
Another talk celebrates the life and work of one of fashion’s most daring
and influential icons Leigh Bowery and Taboo nightclub, with fashion journalist NJ Stevenson, long-time friend and collaborator Sue Tilley aka ‘Big Sue’ and artist and living sculpture Daniel Lismore.
The Queer Bloomsbury After Party will feature live music, DJ, drag, cabaret, performances, games, live art and immersive installations, including London-based drag cabaret LÈSE MAJESTÉ Drag Kings and Things, dark-electro pop sensation Tom Rasmussen and Gal Pals’ DJ Xzan.
As part of the experience, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to take part in immersive art installations or enjoy pop-up performances in the walled gardens. Live art-making will spill out in and
WALK THIS WAY FESTIVAL
This month, residents of Lewes and the surrounding area can explore a different side of the district, by taking part in a festival of themed walks led by local experts.
Coming to unique spaces and stunning landscapes across Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven, Ditchling and neighbouring villages on Sat 7- Sun 8 and Sat 14 – Sun 15 Sept, Walk This Way festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. The themes cover a host of topics and interests, from pubs to poetry, trees to topography
and include new walks providing an insight into salt mills along the Ouse and celebrating 50 years of Lewes Town Council!
The programme takes in the whole district with town, coastal and country walks, most of which are suitable for all ages and accessibility levels.
Helen Browning-Smith, Tourism & Arts Manager at Lewes District Council said, “We have a great lineup this year, which will really shine a light on some of the more
around the stunning outdoor spaces, including from performance artist David Hoyle. In a special one-off, festival-goers can book a free Queer Charleston x Erotic Drawings house tour, featuring a display of Duncan Grant’s erotic drawings.
“We’re so pleased to announce the line-up for Queer Bloomsbury 2024,” Said Melissa Perkins, Head of Programme and Events at Charleston. “The festival is an intoxicating mix of eye-opening talks, activism and fun – all woven together beautifully by shared experience! It’s a bold and playful celebration of Charleston’s LGBTQIA+ heritage, the legacy of which continues to be felt today.”
A shuttle bus service will run from Brighton’s Old Steine directly to
Charleston in Firle and is bookable online.
Charleston is a place which brings people together to engage with art and ideas. The modernist home and studio of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, Charleston was a gathering point for some of the 20th century’s most radical artists, writers and thinkers known collectively as the Bloomsbury group. It is where they came together to imagine society differently and has always been a place where art and experimental thinking are at the centre of everyday life.
For more details and tickets for the events, performances and after party, visit: www.charleston.org.uk
obscure aspects of local history and culture.
“We are grateful to all our walk leaders for agreeing to share their knowledge and expertise. We look forward to welcoming walkers who are keen to get and discover more about our special corner of Sussex.”
The festival is organised by Visit Lewes, the tourism and culture board of Lewes District Council, also responsible for established favourites Artwave and Brewhaven.
A printed programme listing all the available walks can be picked up at the Lewes District Council office in Cliffe Precinct, Seaford Tourist Information Centre, and numerous shops, cafes, pubs and other venues around the district.
With around 30 walks to choose from, with varying levels of intensity. Most walks cost £5 to join and are free for under 12s. More detail and links to tickets can be found at www. visitlewes.co.uk
From conservation to art and design, our full and part-time degree and diploma courses help you turn an interest into a skill, and an ambition into a career. Study in well-equipped workshops where the small class sizes mean you get even more timewith experienced tutors.
Register now at westdean.ac.uk
IMMORTAL APPLES, ETERNAL EGGS
Hastings Contemporary has announced a major new show, exploring the rich and complex genre of still life. Immortal Apples, Eternal Eggs is a meeting of two of the UK’s most significant collections – The Ingram Collection and the David and Indrė Roberts Collection – and will include work from artists including Phyllida Barlow, Louise Bourgeois, Sir Anthony Caro, Patrick Caulfield, Michael CraigMartin, Dame Elisabeth Frink, Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson and Sarah Lucas.
Running at Hasting’s Contemporary on Sat 21 Sept - Sun 16 March, the exhibition juxtaposes world-class contemporary sculpture, video and installation alongside traditional still life painted works. It aims to challenge assumptions about this familiar genre, inviting new perspectives and asking viewers: what really is still life?
More than 50 artworks will be on display, created by more than 50 artists over the past 100 years. It begins with a dramatic and theatrical display in the gallery’s largest space, placing large-scale sculptures by Cathie Pilkington and Ai Weiwei alongside paintings by artists including Ansel Krut and John Armstrong.
The show will progress thematically, journeying through trace and absence, wildness and cultivation, production and consumption, and magic and transformation, while also delving into still life’s darker undercurrents of death, violence and exploitation with works by Lonnie Holley, Gabriella Boyd and William Turnbull.
Using The Ingram Collection’s Modern British art works, the exhibition will explore how artists began to interpret the genre in the 20th century, and with the contemporary works of the David and Indrė Roberts Collection, expand our understanding of what constitutes a still life and where the genre is heading. The pairing of these significant collections will enable an intense and playful dialogue between art of the past and contemporary art, with works from emerging and early-career artists – such as
Ingram Prize winner Abigail Norris – and more than 20 works that have never been seen in a public gallery before by artists such as Craigie Aitchison, Louise Bourgeois and Michael Craig-Martin.
The exhibition takes its title from Virginia Woolf’s description of painter and critic Roger Fry’s bedsit in 1940. The English Modernist writer was fundamental in showing how ordinary, everyday things can be imbued with extraordinary poetry. She also understood that art (in the broadest sense) need not necessarily deal with the dramatic and spectacular but with the immediate, domestic and supposedly banal – ideas that remain at the heart of the still life genre, and this show.
Hastings Contemporary Director Liz Gilmore said “From magic and mystery to life and death, and the beauty of the domestic and ordinary, Immortal Apples, Eternal Eggs takes visitors on a surprising and thought-provoking journey through the genre of Still Life. The exhibition title was inspired by the writings of former Sussex resident, Virginia Woolf, and her intuitive understanding of the quiet poetry of everyday items. We are delighted that this collaboration with two prominent British art collections enables us to bring to Hastings World Class historic and contemporary art, in a celebration of some of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Whether it be shock, surprise, humour, melancholy or delight, there is something for everyone in this exhibition!”
Fast forward to 2024 and the genre of still life has never been more relevant. The obsessive documentation of our lives, meals and homes for social media has turned us all into still life artists. And, while seemingly ordinary, every still life is shadowed by the exploitation of natural resources and labour. Immortal Apples, Eternal Eggs delves into all these themes through the lens of some of the most exciting artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, bringing this long-marginalised genre out into the spotlight.
Ingram Collection Director Jo Baring said “We are thrilled to be working with the Roberts Institute of Art and Hastings Contemporary on this exhibition which reveals the continued relevance of Still Life to artists. Through their lens, we explore the vitality and dynamic energy within still life, offering visitors fresh and innovative perspectives on the everyday objects that populate our world.”
“This collaborative exhibition presents a fresh take on Still Life, showcasing an exciting dialogue between two diverse collections and artworks by some of the most significant artists of the past 100 years,” said Roberts Institute of Art Director Kate Davies. “We are delighted to exhibit many works from the David and Indrė Roberts Collection that have never been seen in a public gallery before. Still Life is revealed here as a rich and complex genre, challenging our expectations and highlighting its profound and sometimes surprising influence on artists from the early 20th century to today.”
Hastings Contemporary brings world-class modern and contemporary art to a spectacular coastal setting. With an ambitious programme of exhibitions, events and activities, the gallery aims to enrich lives, offer new opportunities and help Hastings to thrive.
Showcasing internationally celebrated artists and emerging practitioners, the gallery has developed a reputation for its focus on painting and drawing, supported by Artist Patron Sir Quentin Blake. The award-winning building is located on the town’s historic fishing beach among the net huts and working structures of the fishing fleet.
Hastings and Rother residents can visit Hastings Contemporary for half price, from just £5. Find more information at: www.hastingscontemporary. org
Rachel Kneebone,
THE BRIGHTON CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
The Brighton Chocolate Festival is set to be an unmissable event celebrating the art of chocolatemaking. Scheduled for Sat 5 and Sun 6 Oct, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day, the festival will occur at The Brighthelm Centre. Attendees can look forward to an impressive showcase of ethically sourced bean-to-bar creations, all crafted with expert skill.
Visitors will be able to meet master chocolatiers from across the UK and learn about their commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. This year, the festival will offer guided tastings for the first time, providing an enriched experience for chocolate enthusiasts.
The festival promises to delight every chocolate lover’s palate. Entry is free, with tastings available for £5, though tickets are limited.
Sat 5 and Sun 6 Oct
The Brighthelm Centre www.brightonchocolatefestival. co.uk
ARTWAVE CELEBRATES ARTISTS AND MAKERS ACROSS THE LEWES DISTRICT
Artwave 2024 launches on Sat 7 Sept, with three weekends full of free-to-visit exhibitions, artists open houses and studios across 164 venues around the Lewes District.
Now in their 31st year, this visual arts festival is going from strength to strength, with 45 new venues opening their doors for the first time this year, including venues in Lewes and the surrounding villages like Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs.
There’s a chance to discover work by hundreds of artists and makers, with exhibitions in private homes, windmills, railway signal boxes, farms and churches, from Ditchling to Herstmonceux, Cuckmere to Danehill. Many will be offering refreshments in the garden, talks, demonstrations, performances and opportunities to join in.
You can enjoy lunch at a rural pottery, a puppet show at an artist’s home, hear live music in a carpenter’s garden, or try your hand at lino printing. Whether just out for a browse or shopping for your own home or a unique gift, buy direct from the artists
SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK
Sustainable Fashion Week (SFW) is returning to Brighton on Mon 23 - Sun 29 Sept. It follows the huge success of 2023’s event, which saw more than 2,500 local people attend. This year promises to be bigger and better with sustainable fashion events taking place across the city and local area.
This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Repair’, emphasising the importance of mending and reimagining fashion to foster sustainability.
Organised by Brighton Fashion Collective, SFW Brighton will feature a diverse range of activities including panel discussions, film screenings, textile workshops, styling sessions, and more. The flagship event will be hosted on Sat 28 Sept at Brighton Dome
with a sustainable marketplace, clothes swap, mending and upcycling workshops, sustainable styling sessions and three runway shows featuring local designers, upcyclers, and fashion students.
“We’re delighted to once again host Sustainable Fashion Week in Brighton”, says Hayley Franco, Co-Organiser of Brighton Fashion Collective and Trustee at Brighton Peace & Environment Centre. “We hope to reach thousands of local people with our events and give them the opportunity to learn how to repair their clothes, support local designers, makers and menders across the city, and approach fashion more sustainably!”
SFW BRIGHTON 2024 EVENT PROGRAMME:
Mon 23 Sept: Launch Party & Flash Runway at HELM Gallery
Weds 25 Sept: Food & Fashion Panel Talk at Terre à Terre Restaurant
Thurs 26 Sept: The Future of Fashion is Circular Panel Talk hosted at Plus X Innovation Hub Fri 27 Sept: SFW Community Beach Clean on Brighton Beachfront
Sat 28 Sept: SFW Brighton Flagship Event at Brighton Dome featuring runway shows, clothes swap, workshops, and marketplace
Sun 29 Sept: RiverBlue Film Screening, Panel Talk and Clothes Swap at Depot Cinema, hosted in collaboration with DOLLY
This year’s SFW Brighton is supported by headline partner LUSH and is part-funded by the UK Government and Brighton & Hove City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
and support this thriving creative community.
Councillor Johnny Denis, Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Leisure at Lewes District Council, said: “Artwave supports our brilliant creative community by giving art lovers the chance to discover new work, meet artists and makers, and buy directly from them. The festival always showcases a wide variety of quality art to suit all tastes and this year’s line-up of exhibitions and open studios looks fantastic - so do come along and enjoy it if you can.”
Artwave has been made possible by the generous support of Lewes District Council and local businesses, including headline sponsors Artelium Wine Estate near Ditchling, who are themselves opening as an Artwave venue this year.
There’s a packed printed guide available from Lewes or Seaford Tourist Information Centres, from Charleston Lewes or at numerous venues around the district. Alternatively, you can find it online at: www.artwavefestival.org
Brighton Fashion Collective brings together two local nonprofit organisations - Brighton Peace and Environment Centre and Sew Fabulous - and a group of independent collaborators. Together, they work to produce and promote a year-round programme of community events showcasing sustainable, ethical and local fashion in Brighton, headlined by Sustainable Fashion Week Brighton every year.
SFW Brighton is part of Sustainable Fashion Week UK, a global network uniting communities to promote more sustainable ways to enjoy fashion and call for a fairer fashion system. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit brightonfashioncollective.org.uk
THE UK’S BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST FESTIVAL
THE COAST IS QUEER
IS BACK FROM 10 - 13 OCT 2024 WITH TICKETS ON SALE NOW! WE INVITED THE TEAM TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS LANDMARK EVENT.
What is The Coast is Queer?
It is Brighton & Hove’s festival of LGBTQ+ writing which runs from 10-13 October 2024. Three days of lively conversations, panels, workshops, performances and films celebrating some of the best and brightest LGBTQ+ writers at Brighton’s Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts.
Why do we need this festival?
The past decade has seen a substantial rise in the number of LGBTQ+ titles published and brilliant queer book shops springing up across the UK. The Coast is Queer was established in 2019 to honour and contribute to this blossoming. But our commitment to queer literature extends beyond celebration. The festival also interrogates the ecosystems that make queer literature possible and invites authors into conversation with audiences and with each other.
Is it only for LGBTQ+ people?
No. This festival is for everyone who loves literature. It’s for the LGBTQ+ community as well as LGBTQ+ allies. Anyone who has an interest in queer culture and representation will find something to love at this year’s festival.
What events are you particularly excited about?
We’re really looking forward to the opening event celebrating
TCIQ Joelle Taylor
30 years of DIVA Magazine. It’s a stellar panel featuring DIVA’s Roxy Bourdillon, Gay Times’ Reeta Loi, and Attitude’s Matthew Todd, chaired by Paula Akpan. It’s not to be missed! Also, we know that the James Baldwin event will be outstanding. The panel includes Mendez and Douglas Field, and will be chaired by Campbell X. We know it’ll be an unforgettable way to celebrate his centenary.
We’ve focused on bringing you more workshops than ever this year and sessions on everything from writing a memoir to getting published, to an inspiring nature walk will be on offer this year.
What queer books do you think everyone should read?
We’re biased, but we think everyone should read Julia Armfield’s Private Rites. We’re running a really exciting workshop with Julia in collaboration with Brighton’s Real Writers Circle. Tickets even include a hardback copy of the book. Julia will also be taking part in an event on Liberating the Queer Canon with H Gareth Gavin and Adam Macqueen
How can we get tickets?
You can get tickets from coastisqueer.com and follow us on Instagram at @coastisqueerfest. Make sure you sign up to the mailing list where you’ll get access to news and tickets before anyone else!
MELTING VINYL COMING UP IN 2024
04.09 Office for Personal Development / Battery Operated Orchestra
08.09 Dawn Landes 11.09 Gruff Rhys KENT
13.09 Route 500 / Noah Yorke
18.09 Ryley Walker SOLD OUT 23.09 Asgeir 27.09 Pictish Trail
28.09 Acid Klaus 30.09 Dominie Hooper
04.10 Orlando Weeks Co-Pro with Joy 10.10 Joan As Police Woman 12.10 Anna Erhard SOLD OUT 16.10 Kayla Painter 22.10 The Magic Lantern 24.10 MEMORIALS 01.11 AK/DK 08.11 Samana 13.11 Kris Drever 14.11 Billy Mahonie 15.11 Will Young 17.11 Aircoooled 21.11 Black Doldrums 26.11 King Creosote SOLD OUT 28.11 Hejira KENT
06.12 Unthanks in Winter HASTINGS 06.12 Mikey Kenney
20.12 Awake Arise KENT
Gigs are in Brighton unless indicated otherwise. meltingvinyl.co.uk
September in Brighton: The Power of Connection
As September ushers in the golden hues of autumn, it’s a time to reflect on the importance of connection in our community—a value that lies at the heart of everything we do at Connected Brighton. Whether you’re a resident, a visitor, or a brand looking to make an impact, our mission is to foster meaningful relationships that enhance the fabric of our vibrant city.
At Connected Brighton, we curate events and experiences that bring people together. For residents, we offer unique opportunities to explore the city you call home in new and exciting ways. From intimate dining experiences at local favourites to cultural tours that uncover the hidden gems of Brighton, our events are designed to deepen your connection with the city and the people who share it with you.
For visitors, Connected Brighton is your gateway to experiencing the true spirit of our city. We go beyond the typical tourist attractions, introducing you to the authentic Brighton experience. Our events connect you with locals, giving you
a taste of the community’s warmth and creativity, ensuring your visit is memorable and meaningful.
Brands, too, find a home with Connected Brighton. We collaborate with local businesses to create events that not only showcase their products and services but also strengthen their ties to the community. By partnering with us, brands can engage directly with residents and visitors, fostering loyalty and trust.
This September, the power of connection has been particularly evident as our city came together in the wake of recent unrest. The solidarity displayed during the riots reminded us of Brighton’s resilience and the importance of standing together. At Connected Brighton, we believe in the strength of our community and are committed to nurturing these connections that unite us in times of both joy and challenge.
We are literally creating a connected Brighton!
As we move forward into autumn, let’s continue to celebrate the connections that make Brighton such a special place. Join us at Connected Brighton to explore, engage, and connect with the heart of our city together.
Check out our events, follow us on socials and let’s connect! Love, Lyndsey www.connectedbrighton.com @connectedbrighton
PURESEOUL ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING OF BRIGHTON STORE
Following the success of their 2023 high-profile store openings in Westfield London, and in Oxford’s Westgate Shopping centre, PURESEOUL is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their newest store on North Street in Brighton. Set to open its doors on Weds 4 Sept.
The charming corner store, located in the heart of Brighton’s vibrant city centre, will offer a carefully curated selection of over 800 Iconic Korean beauty and skincare products, featuring the latest K-beauty trends and treatments. The public is invited to celebrate the occasion and experience the personalised customer service of Korean store firsthand. The opening event will start at 11am, 1-2 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EB.
PURESEOUL pride themselves on being the go-to destination for UK K-Beauty enthusiasts both online and offline and is the largest and leading Korean cosmetic specialist
in the United Kingdom, offering an extensive range of almost 2,000 Korean skincare, makeup, and hair care products from over 50 direct partner brands.
On the opening day, the first 100 customers will be gifted a welcome goodie bag of PURESEOUL’s newest and most-loved products, worth over £300.
“Since opening our first store in Soho, we have been inundated with requests to bring PURESEOUL to the South of England. Brighton’s vibrant culture and welcoming values felt so perfect for us, and after a year of looking for a suitable unit, we are thrilled to present our new beach-side store”. said Gracie Tullio, PURESEOUL’s Co-Founder.
“The store is a mini K-Beauty wonderland with almost 800 individual K-Beauty products and 40+ brands to choose from. The range has been hand-picked by our
products team to perfectly match our Brighton customers, including our exclusive gender-neutral makeup brand Laka and all the latest TikTok trending Skincare”
At PURESEOUL, customers will discover an extensive range of products that cater to all skin types and beauty needs. The store will feature exclusive brands such as Torriden, Rom&nd, Beplain, and AOU just to name a few, in addition to innovative beauty tools. Shoppers can also enjoy personalised skincare consultations, in-store demonstrations, and customised product recommendations from experienced staff.
In line with Brighton’s city values and their commitment to ethical beauty, all the products in-store will be 100% Cruelty-Free, with additional vegan and natural offerings for more ingredientconscious customers.
“Our marketing team has prepared an exciting treat for our Brighton customers. On launch day, the first 100 customers will receive our famous K-Beauty Goodie Bag. Plus, you can enjoy a lineup of games, activities, and campaigns to win even more full-sized skincare and makeup products. Expect a fun-filled day, complete with our signature K-POP soundtrack.Felicity, PURESEOUL, Head of Marketing.
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS RICH ARTISTIC TALENT AMONGST BRIGHTON UNIVERSITY STAFF
In a first for the University of Brighton, technical and support staff from its School of Art and Media will be showcasing their artistic creations to the public this September. The 10-day exhibition – called Make It, Shape It – will be open to staff, students and the public on Mon 9 - Weds 18 Sept at the University’s Grand Parade building in central Brighton.
More than 40 artists from across the University will be showing their artwork. Together, they will be displaying original work including animation, photography, ceramics, sculpture, painting, and sound and textiles, showcasing the diverse talents and skills of the
Brighton became a signatory to this national initiative in 2019, which seeks to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research. Other innovations introduced since then include an annual technicians’ conference and a dedicated staff award to recognise the unique contribution of technicians to the University.
“Make It, Shape It has fostered a culture of collaboration and artistic growth within our technical and professional services community as well as developing other skills,” said Tim Lane, Senior Technical Manager in the School of Art and Media. “From regular meetings
University’s non-academic staff.
“Although we are perhaps more used to seeing them support our students, many of our technical and professional services colleagues in the School of Art and Media have thriving artistic practices of their own,” said Professor Tamar Jeffers McDonald, Dean of the School of Art and Media at the University of Brighton. “I’ve been so impressed and inspired seeing this exhibition coming together and I am delighted that this amazing work will be getting a wider audience, not just with staff and students but with the local community too.”
The exhibition is part of the work being done at the University of Brighton in response to the Technician Commitment.
to discuss developing work, to social media, branding, curation and installation, colleagues have worked together to create an exciting and much anticipated show.
“The School has supported our team in many ways, not least by providing this year’s development time to the research and making of work and offering financial assistance to make the show inclusive for all. I am grateful for their encouragement and support and that of the University’s Technicians Commitment.”
You can find out more about the University Of Brighton at: www. brighton.ac.uk
POPULAR PODCAST RETURNS TO EXAMINE THE FUTURE FOR BRIGHTON & HOVE
The Brighton Paradox is continuing its exploration of the cultural, economic and social complexities of a city renowned for its innovation, creativity and contradictions.
Hosted by Richard Freeman, this season takes a fresh focus on the city’s post-pandemic reality, delving into pressing questions surrounding Brighton’s future: Is the city thriving or struggling? Can it sustain its creative and progressive identity while addressing the urgent needs of its residents?
The Brighton Paradox offers a platform for influential voices from the city’s tech, arts, business and community sectors, providing a multifaceted view of Brighton’s unique challenges and the potential solutions on the horizon.
Supported by notable partners such as Brighton & Hove Albion FC, the University of Brighton and EQ Investors, and featuring original music by Fatboy Slim, the podcast amplifies real-world discussions about innovation, collaboration and sustainable progress. Series two promises to be a thought-provoking journey, with each episode tackling a different aspect of Brighton’s evolution in a rapidly changing world:
The series kicks off with an exploration of Brighton’s underground networks, likened to the mycelium that sustains ecosystems. This episode uncovers the hidden yet powerful connections between the city’s
creatives, technologists, and community leaders, and discusses how these networks need nurturing to truly flourish. Key voices include Helen Jewell, Creative Director of The Old Market, and Rose Tighe from Brighton AI, who highlight the importance of resilient, inclusive and ethically driven innovation.
The Brighton Paradox continues to appeal to listeners interested in community building, urban development, technology and the intersections of culture and economics in modern cities. With its commitment to highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing Brighton & Hove, series two is set to be an essential listen for anyone invested in the future of this unique city.
For more information and to listen to The Brighton Paradox, visit www.alwayspossible.co.uk or add it to the favourites on any decent podcast platform.
GENEROUS PUBLIC SAVE SKYLINE OF HISTORIC ROYAL PALACE
An urgent appeal for donations to save a damaged dome on the Royal Pavilion raised more than double the amount in just one weekend. The public were during August to donate £10k towards the restoration of a dome on the palace’s roof. They were amazed when online donations flooded in, raising over £27.5k in just three days.
The support was so overwhelming, Brighton & Hove Museums has now increased the fundraising target to include another critical piece of restoration work that is needed on the ceiling of the historic Banqueting Room at the Royal Pavilion.
Specialist repairs are needed to restore the copper Banqueting Room canopy and its windows which are failing, causing water damage to the spectacular ceiling beneath, putting the three-tonne dragon chandelier at risk.
Records dating back to the early
18thC show that even at the time it was built, the complex roof design was problematic to maintain.
Once the external repairs have been undertaken, the Banqueting Room will need to be scaffolded so the water damage surrounding the dragon chandelier can be repaired. The total costs of works are expected to amount to around £28K, which alongside the dome repairs takes the overall total to £38K.
Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums, the charity which manages the Royal Pavilion admits he has been stunned by the generosity of supporters. He said: “We are overwhelmed by the amazing response following our initial dome repair appeal. We can’t thank our supporters enough for their generosity. It shows how much people love and care for the Royal Pavilion.
“The extra money raised will go towards specialist repairs needed
for the copper Banqueting Room canopy. Water damage to the spectacular ceiling beneath is putting the breathtaking dragon chandelier at risk.”
Routine restoration works uncovered failure in stone render and substantial decay in one of the iconic royal palace’s 200-year-old pinnacles following water damage. Close examination of the domes and minarets of the Royal Pavilion roofline is only feasible when areas of the building are scaffolded for routine maintenance. Contractors were shocked when routine restoration work unexpectedly identified that a crack in the dome’s exterior was letting more water inside than previously thought. On closer inspection, it was revealed that there was significant rotting on the central timber post and framework that support the structure of the dome.
Urgent repairs have now started to stop the dome from collapsing. The dome is part of the iconic skyline of
the 19th century seaside ‘pleasure palace’ of George IV, which was designed by British architect John Nash and completed in 1823.
Running costs for heritage venues are an ongoing concern for operators across the UK and beyond, especially with rising costs for electricity, supplies and repairs. It costs around £900,000 a year to look after the 200-year-old Royal Pavilion, without the addition of repairs, renovations and upgrading. Brighton & Hove Museums is a registered charity which relies on donations, grants and admission to operate its five heritage venues which also include Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Preston Manor & Garden, Booth Museum of Natural History and Hove Museum of Creativity.
For further information about Brighton’s Royal Pavilion, visit: www.brightonmuseums.org.uk
The Seasons is excited to join Artwave for the first time through a partnership with talented artists and the Imaginarium.
We’re proud to highlight environmental and biodiversity issues with art and sculptures in our shop, encouraging visitors to rethink single-use plastics. Visit us this September!
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT PIPER YET?
Humans are social animals by nature, and cultivating connections can have a significant impact on their lives. In fact, there are confirmed links between lower rates of anxiety, greater self-esteem, higher levels of empathy, and having more trusted relationships. Being active at the same time is also a bonus! Walking, running, cycling, or generally moving about with a friend is a great mood booster. And this is where Piper comes in...
Piper is a free website where individuals can make connections with like-minded people who want to do a bit more. Users can create a short profile, and then the match technology will find people in their area who are interested in doing the same things. From walking to climbing, kayaking to tennis, movies, and the pub, there’s someone out there who wants to enjoy it with them.
Beyond improving emotional health, there are other benefits to doing things with a friend:
• It’s more fun. You’re less likely to get bored when you’re with a buddy, sharing experiences and having a laugh along the way.
• You can be more adventurous. It’s easier to try new things with somebody else, and you may just find a new activity you love.
• You can broaden your mind. Chatting with a new buddy about things you don’t always talk about with your friends, can open you up to new ideas and interests.
• You might go somewhere new. Your buddy might have a great new walking, running or cycling route you’ve not tried before.
Piper also organises group activities, including weekly bike rides, summer sea swims, and walks along the downs. So, whatever it is one wants to do, they can go to www.imwithpiper. com and find someone nearby to share the fun!
DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE IS ROARSOME!
Join the brave Rangers for another action-packed Dinosaur Adventure, as the all-new and exciting show, Trouble On Volcano Island, comes to Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre on Sat 26 Oct.
When the island’s ancient volcano becomes active, it spells danger for everyone – including the Dinosaurs! It’s a race against time to help our Rangers and favourite Dinosaurs in this thrilling prehistoric expedition, to save Volcano Island from imminent disaster.
Meet the incredible Triceratops, the cheeky Spinosaurus, our
cute baby dinos and the gigantic T-Rex as we follow in their huge footprints and journey across the island. You’ll encounter wild new species of Dinosaurs whilst conquering exhilarating challenges at every turn!
This amazing, immersive and interactive show is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. There’s even a chance to meet the crew after the show for a free photo opportunity and a meeting with the dinosaurs…
For more details and tickets, venture to: www.wtm.uk
GIVE CERAMICS AND POTTERY A SPIN AT WEST DEAN
In a world that moves at a relentless pace, finding a creative outlet can be incredibly rewarding. Have you ever thought about trying your hand at pottery? A ceramics or pottery short course might just be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
From basic hand-building techniques, to more advanced techniques like throwing on a potters wheel, working with clay is hugely enjoyable and the possibilities are endless!
One of the great joys of pottery is the ability to create functional art that you can use in your everyday life. There’s a special kind of satisfaction in drinking from a mug you’ve crafted yourself or serving a meal in a bowl that you shaped with your own hands. These pieces add a unique, personal touch to your home or make a great gift.
Another great reason to try a pottery course is the tactile pleasure of working with clay, which is unlike any other arts and crafts. There’s something incredibly grounding about the feel of soft, cool clay beneath your hands. As you press, pull, and shape the clay, you become deeply engaged with the material, offering a break from digital screens and a reconnection with the physical world.
Whether you are a seasoned ceramicist or a curious beginner, West Dean has a huge range of ceramics and pottery short courses for you to try!
If you have always fancied having a go with a potters wheel why not try a Throwing and Turning course (16-19 December 2024) where you will be introduced to clay preparation, develop your skills in making (throwing) and finishing (turning) pots. Or create a beautiful slab built ceramic inspired by the Sussex landscape and West Dean grounds with Slab built ceramics – responding to place (26-31 January 2025).
Explore the Japanese art of Kintsugi with Modern Kintsugi –Gold Leaf Repair for Ceramics (4 February 2025). The philosophy of Kintsugi is to celebrate the damage caused to a vessel, by showcasing the cracks and damage with the use of pure gold and resin. Instead of hiding the imperfections, they are celebrated – a philosophy that is seen not only for craft, but perhaps also for life.
Try out handbuilding, the process of creating pottery and ceramics without using a wheel, using traditional skills such as spigging, impressing, pinching, coiling and more. The Handbuilding Traditional Flatback Ceramics course (25-26 January 2025) offers an opportunity to explore the traditional Staffordshire flatback mantlepiece figure and create your own colourful figure.
These are just a few of the pottery and ceramics courses West Dean offers, be inspired and find a course today at westdean.ac.uk.
Credit: West Dean. Thom Atkinson.
ONE MOMENT IN TIME – A 200 YEAR CELEBRATION
On 8th May 1824, the foundation stone of St Peter’s was laid. Two hundred years later, this anniversary provides an opportunity to bring the community together with the aim of fostering a sense of unity and connection among Brighton’s diverse population through a series of events and activities.
Despite the changes around it, the building remains an iconic and consistent presence within the community. The celebration is not just of the church itself, but also of Brighton. Gratitude is extended to the funders and organisations supporting these events and activities, including Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, among others.
The church is currently undergoing restoration of its 10-bell tower. The next phase of construction, due to start in September 2024, is expected to enable further restoration of the lower part of the tower, which will allow the removal of the scaffolding that has been in place since 2014. Once completed, the St. Peter’s tower will stand proudly at the northern end of the redeveloped Valley Gardens, a significant government-funded redevelopment of central Brighton that has recently been completed.
St Peter’s will also house a large-scale art project created in collaboration with local school children and community organisations, which will be displayed next Easter, along with a sound and light installation event scheduled for this October during half-term week.
There is also a focus on sharing the history of working-class heritage and the culture of those involved with the church throughout its history. This will be achieved by collecting stories and photographs to create a historical archive of those who have been involved with the congregation, whether through family connections, marriages, or christenings over the past 200 years. Those interested in contributing stories and photographs are encouraged to email heritage@stpetersbrighton.org.
The celebrations will commence with a weeklong Son-et-Lumiere event, illuminating and celebrating the remarkable historical church building and inviting people to experience it in a new way.
‘LIFE’ by Luxmuralis is an immersive Son-etLumiere, or sound and light projection artwork. It is an installation on the walls and ceiling of the church interior, depicting a journey through 24 hours on our planet, from sunrise to sunset, through sun, oceans, and clouds, designed to inspire viewers to reflect on their own journeys. The experience will last approximately 45 minutes.
‘LIFE’ is produced and presented by artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper. Luxmuralis is a collaborative team of artists from different backgrounds and disciplines, who bring art into public spaces and unexpected places.
Tickets for the events, and more information on the project, can be found at www. stpetersbrighton.org/heritage/one-moment-intime.
Luxmuralis St-Peters
Restored Pinnacles St Peters
AMAZE
Supporting families with disabled children and young people in Sussex
Caring for a child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) may be a joy but at times it can be stressful, overwhelming and lonely. That’s where local charity Amaze comes in.
Amaze was formed by a group of parents in Brighton & Hove who wanted to guide other parents and carers through the maze of bringing up a child or young person with SEND.
Since then, Amaze has grown to support parent carers and young people with SEND across East Sussex in many ways. This could be help from their advice line to resolve issues with a variety of topics (most commonly, education) or support with applying for disability benefits. It could be connecting young people with SEND through youth activities. It could also be attending one of their many parent carer support groups or receiving support from one of their trained befrienders.
Amaze’s parent groups provide an opportunity for families to connect with others in the same position. Over 1000 families from Brighton & Hove and East Sussex every
year take part in in-person and online groups where they can build connections and friendships with other parents and carers. These support groups are led by other parent carers with disabled children and children with neuro-differences and are free to attend.
Marie Baker, parent groups and befriending manager at Amaze says: “When you have a child with SEND, it’s so helpful to meet others and know you’re not alone. People who take part in our groups or who have a befriender, often tell us how much they value meeting with other parents to share their experiences and get helpful tips and advice from each other, and our team.”
The majority of groups meet monthly and there is even a group for dads to meet too (which is one of only three in the country). There are also WhatsApp groups for people to take part in, so they need never feel alone. The in-person groups are held across different parts of Brighton & Hove, and East Sussex. Details of the groups are available on Amaze’s website at www. amazesussex.org.uk
Amaze Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG amazesussex.org.uk For independent information, advice and support, please contact the advice line on 01273 772289
BN1 CHATS TO NIKKI AND MAX THE CO-FOUNDERS OF ALL THINGS FUNGI FESTIVAL
By Rosie Paldi-Edwards
All Things Fungi Festival, is a festival celebrating and exploring mushrooms through artistic expression, innovative programming and imaginative installations. This festival invites everyone to get creative and play around with nature and human ingenuity and blurs the boundaries where art meets science. It is only in its second year but already everyone from last year is coming back for more and I can see why. After briefly looking at the activities available on their website, you can see there is so much on offer and that’s before chatting to Nikki and Max about it. To put it in their words, “the festival aims to cover Mushroom identification, cultivation, microscopy, DNA sequencing and topics surrounding the soil food web, composting, permaculture & and rewilding. Most importantly, we will celebrate the people at the forefront of mycology in the UK and beyond.”
This festival is set in the “picturesque Sussex countryside on the beautiful Chiddinglye Estate surrounded by meadows, forests, and dark skies. The site plays host to many diverse species, a section of which is listed as a site of scientific importance.” It is also the only festival in England solely focused around mushrooms and is obviously eco-conscious because of the subject of the festival and the setting. Therefore, they aim to tread lightly and make sure to leave no trace in this serene setting. It is also worth mentioning that this is a dry festival, they don’t sell alcohol but you can bring your own booze. The festival is meant to be educational, but you can still relax and let your hair down at the end of the day. There will be plenty of music, dancing and late night UV shenanigans. Physcaleidcs are a part of fungi too and Nikki and Max want to make sure they are discussing that. They have Chris Timberman and Dr Luke coming.
I begin by asking how the festival came to fruition and what inspired them to start?
Max explains, “I think it’s not necessarily an original idea. We’ve watched American festivals do very well and we wanted to kind of create something that was communityorientated that represented all aspects of mushrooms really. But it was meeting Nikki, If we want to go right back to the beginning and then fast forward. We have a mutual friend, who has a festival already and we were discussing how the UK needs a mushroom festival and we said well why don’t we do one? We kind of just jumped into it blindly and here we are, year two. We felt that we had connections to the land and people and we felt it was a great responsibility to be able to put on this festival. So we were trying to do it justice for everybody in the community and make sure that all aspects of fungi are represented.”
Nikki adds, “Max is an amazing photographer and mycologist. We really connected on all aspects of that and realised that hitting it from all different directions would stimulate the senses. It was a great way of incorporating people so that you can approach it from the scientific side of it and you could still approach it from the artistic side.”
I asked them about their backgrounds to find out more about the interesting people behind this event. Max went first explaining how this life long obsession with studying mushrooms started and how quickly you can fall down the rabbit hole.
“I’ve been taking pictures of mushrooms and studying them for about six years now. I first came across mushrooms probably about 23 years ago. So quite a while ago and I’ve kind of kept in touch with them ever since. I moved out of Brighton and moved to the countryside into an area where fungi were absolutely everywhere like a really diverse amount of species. It was actually before I moved there that I got into it. I was cycling across the South Downs and kept seeing mushrooms. I was with my mate and we were trying to scrub through YouTube videos to work out what they were. When I moved to the countryside, I started taking pictures of them and using them as my subject matter. I feel like it was my responsibility to identify them if I was sharing an image of them. Then you know, you just fall into a rabbit hole. You end up with a microscope and a DNA sequencing kit after not too long. Which is where I’ve ended up. I think my particular brand of neurodivergence means that I just jump straight into it and fully focus on things. So I spent every waking hour of every day for about six years looking for mushrooms and identifying them. That leads you into all sorts like slime moulds and moss.”
Nikki then delves into her background. She grew up in California, raised by a single mother and how being left to her own devices as a child turned into a love for looking, gathering and observing nature.
“I grew up in California in the desert. My mother was a lone parent and worked full time. I was free to explore and we had a lot of desert areas around that were not built up. I would go out searching for scorpions and tarantulas. I think my journey of looking and gathering and observing stemmed from there. I have been in the UK for about 30 years creating collage pieces with a flora and fauna theme and I realised I was moving more towards mushrooms and fungi and really for me it was mycelium, everything that was underground. It captured my fascination and then obviously the fruiting body above. I think coming from an artist angle, it was something so strange and strong being out in the woods, that didn’t seem like it belonged, but yet totally belonged, and it was there before anything else. Then as Max said, you focus on things and you start to go down this rabbit hole. Max has been an incredible teacher and takes me out on these wonderful walks and his enthusiasm is infectious and his patience.
I absolutely love the illustrated side of mushrooms. I started collecting as many books as I could, even foreign language ones. It didn’t matter what language they were because the visuals of them were just so incredible. There are also photographic books with actual specimens and it just takes you down this whole path. Mushrooms are historically ancient and are having a renaissance again, which seems to happen every century. You’ve got the Victorians, you’ve got Beatrice Potter. All through history they are just there and I just love that and they’ve just had this power to continue.”
Max says speaking of history, “they were only separated from plants and animals in 1969, they were only created as separate kingdoms back then. If you think about that in terms of our history we haven’t been studying them as a separate entity or kingdom for very long. We actually know very little about them and that’s what makes it exciting for me. For someone who doesn’t have a scientific background. Science in school wasn’t really a thing for me and now I’ve fallen into this scientific study. There is just so much to discover. I don’t think we’re ever going to understand everything there is to know. Species are becoming extinct quicker than can be described. So much we are learning about them now is so exciting and I think that can go on for the rest of my life and we still won’t understand everything. It’s
a fascinating subject really. For me, I like that I can go out and discover a new species or find something really rare or undocumented and that’s what gets me out of bed everyday.”
I had to ask after that discussion if they had found anything interesting so far in their research.
Max says,”I do a lot of volunteering with the Sussex Fungus Group. I believe last year there were about 14 species that were either newly discovered in Britain or new to science just in Sussex alone. We are discovering a huge amount.” Nikki adds, “the thing is they’re there. It’s just observing them. It’s being able to see them and taking the time to find them.” Max continues saying that mushrooms are a complete mystery, “there’s no rhyme or reason to them. They’ll be there one year, maybe not the next, they might not appear for a few years or you might never see them again. I think with the changing climate, things are changing quite rapidly. We don’t really know how that’s going to affect the distribution or what fungi could appear. There’s other fungi that have come in from other parts of the continent or other parts of the world, which we don’t know how they’re going to affect the native fungi. Then there’s people growing non-native species as well.
I move the subject onto their festival and the activities and wellness classes available. Imagine waking up and starting your day off with Yoga or a gong bath and then having fun with arts and crafts like glass blowing or going on fluorescent forest UV walk at night. The abundance of talks and activities is refreshing to see. I tried to wrangle out of Nikki and Max some of their highlights they are looking forward to this year. (Unsurprisingly they are excited for everything!)
Nikki starts off with, “One of the things we’re going to be doing is dipping our toes into a family day. It’s really important for us. We were 18
and above last year. We are 18 and above for Friday and Saturday, but we are opening our doors for all ages on Sunday. It’s the next generation and we want to make sure that they have the knowledge and the ability to know that it’s there for them. We’ve got Ali the fungi guy who’s going to lead a foray and do his music and he already teaches with children, so that’s a great highlight to have.”
Max adds in saying what he’s looking forward to, “Simco - they do these beautiful sculptures and then these slime moulds that aren’t fungi, but people who like fungi end up falling in love with those as well, like me. They have these beautiful time lapses of slimes growing all over these heads. I really like niche things obviously because I’m a massive geek. So Mycoremediation people are coming down from Devon and they create these bales which are supposed to be put in river systems which they have inoculated with mycelium. It’s where the water runs through and the mycelium will filter the water in the stream. I think with the current situation with the water companies dumping sewage this could be part of the solution. That’s quite an exciting one for me, just because it’s like, I’d like to knock on the door of these problems and show that there are solutions using fungi for these issues.’
I ask about the music situation, how many stages and who’s headlining?
Max explains that, “We’ve got two stages. The woodland stage is a natural amphitheatre, you walk in and you’re surrounded by massive ancient trees. It’s really beautiful. We’ve got some really interesting music and artists. We’ve got a really cool band called Back and Beyond and a local guy called Eggs Legs, who’s a really fun DJ playing tropical house and Brian DeSouza, who does the mushroom bio-sonification, where he plugs in modular synthesis. Sam Lee’s a Mercury nominee and on Sunday there is a reggae
sound system who have links with Trojan Records and more acts to be announced.”
For a long time fungi have been under-appreciated and understudied. This festival puts scientific exploration and knowledge at the forefront of this festival. I ask the cofounders what talks and research we can look forward to from their allstar lineup of “the most influential mycologists, ecologists, citizen scientists and nature enthusiasts to come and share their passion and experience.”
Nikki begins saying, “A lot of women, which is a wonderful balance. Rebecca Lazzaro, who is doing medicinal plants and fungi. So there’s that relationship that does go outside of fungi with trees and with plants. We’ve got Lee Davies from Que Garden’s and Alex Domrowski. So it’s just trying to cover as much as we can for everybody. We’ve got Osmos Labs who are going to be doing a workshop. They grow mycelium furniture and blocks. So trying to do that crossover again with art into everyday life. So you know, educating people for different ways of experiencing art and structures through my mycelium.”
Max reiterates the ethos of the festival, “we want to represent all
things fungi as in the name. So everything from soil health to mental health and everything in between. One thing that’s really popular at the festival is in the evening, we take everybody down to the woods at night, with ultra violet lights as lots of things are fluorescent. One guest, Sydney, has developed some techniques using fungi to be able to create henna tattoos so we can have glow in the dark henna tattoos which the compounds are derived from fungi. You know for a safety aspect as well because a lot of people don’t particularly feel safe in the woods at night and I think that’s an absolute shame and to be able to provide a safe space for people to engage with that and just be there and all the senses are stimulated.’ The UV trail is led by Max, Nikki adds quickly to the conversation. It sounds like one of the most popular activities at the festival. Max said last year, “I think we started with 20 and they ended up with like 80 when they came back.”
To find out more and book tickets visit www.allthingsfungi.co.uk
Originally started as a website packed with one panel jokes, before moving onto physically published comics and books, Modern Toss is an unlikely British cartoon phenomenon. Founded by Jon Link and Mick Bunnage, their unique style of illustration and surreal humour has gone on to inspire TV shows and create a brand which is recognised around the world. Now they’re about to unveil The First 8000 Days…, a landmark interactive exhibition at the Corn Exchange on Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Oct, as part of Brighton Comedy Festival 2024.
“We never thought we’d still be doing this in 2024,” Jon Link tells me. “We were really happy to get our first comic printed and paid for by our small band of early adopters. Back then, you could walk into a shop on Oxford Street with a cardboard box of comics and the man in the shop would buy some off you. We did that at Borders and also the ICA. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that people would still be buying fridge magnets of some of those cartoons 20 years on.”
So, what’s it all about? Somebody perfectly representing the Modern Toss world is Alan – an anthropomorphic scribble with sociopathic tendencies, who constantly plays horrific pranks on his long-suffering brother-inlaw. Other much-loved characters included the DriveBy Abuser, a yob on a moped who bellows inanities at anyone, or anything, he speeds past. We also can’t ignore the infamous Mr Tourette. This French sign-writer consistently provides eye-catching branding for shops and vans, but it always includes the kind of robust language his unsuspecting clients don’t want associated with their business.
While the attitude of the characters in their Work cartoons is probably their best known, Link says his personal favourite is the lesser known Liberty Taker - a man who pushes and invents new boundaries of what is acceptable. “He’s working on the cutting edge in this area, but is always polite and gives good warning of his actions… like when he texts his neighbour to warn him he’s about to start catapulting lumps of horse shit at his garden, maybe the world would be a better place if people showed this level of consideration towards others!”
None of this makes any sense, but then it doesn’t have to. Modern Toss might be bawdy, extreme and surreal, but it seems to come from a place of joy. Behind even the most outrageous jokes, nothing is punching down. Much of their output seems to be a method of rationalising an increasingly chaotic society. “We’ve both always drawn cartoons,” says Link. “I had my first rejection from Private Eye when I was 13 years old. I’ve still got the little slip of paper that said: ‘Try Punch’. Cartoons are a good way of trying to bring order to the world, the same way a gardener looks at a pile of old dirt and decides to put in a fishpond and plant some daffodils around it.”
He says he got back into cartooning in the early 2000s while commuting from Brighton to London. He still has an early sketchbook of primal cartoons about Thameslink trains. “In many ways the shitness of their service kickstarted the whole project, I found making them useful and it helped me get through that period. We are extending this concept with our Modern Toss
Monday Morning Work Therapy session on Mon 28 Oct. Take the day off, drop-in and listen to the calming sounds of waterfalls, birdsong… and people swearing at each other in the workplace. We’ll be encouraging participants to control their breathing in time to a gong. You‘ll also get a free biscuit and a warm drink.”
When mixing whimsey and rude words, there’s always a danger of pushing things too far. But Link says treading the line is a skill everyone must learn. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Learning not to do or say things that you think of is what holds society together. The line is shifting around a bit at the moment, a bit like that TV game where the hole in the wall comes towards you and you have to make a shape to get through it. It’s a laugh, yeah?”
It will be little surprise that Link and Bunnage first started working together on Loaded Magazine, long before it descended into being just another men’s mag. Since then, they’ve had their strips regularly printed in publications like The Guardian, Private Eye and Sunday Times, along with a TV adaptation for Channel 4. Tackling that British sense of repression seems to be a recipe for success. To celebrate the second decade of blunt eccentricity, Modern Toss is taking The First 8000 Days… around the country. “We couldn’t face making another 500-page book, like we did after our first decade. A touring exhibition is much better idea, less spell checking and dealing with printers.”
The pair are collaborating on the show with Dan Hipkin, who runs Whistleblower Gallery on Hove seafront. “We’ve worked with Dan for nearly the whole 20 years of Toss and he’s an important part of the gang, he’s helped us make some incredible china Flying Flies, like flying ducks but flies. I’ve found a lot of it quite therapeutic, making big stone sculptures for example… I’d recommend everyone has a go at making their own spirit stone”
The exhibition features 3D recreations of their most iconic works, including an interactive Periodic Table of Swearing and a Drive By Abuser diorama, where he rides round a miniature landscape shouting at people playing golf and other things. There’s the incredible Flies Of The British Isles artwork, including over 300 pinned and named flies; lots of classic artwork from the last 20 years, Newton’s Executive Bollock Clacker, big sculptures of stones that look like Toss cartoon heads (which were all found on Brighton beach), some real items from the Royal Shitters plumbing catalogue and their 100 best cartoons.
There’s a chance to join Modern Toss curator Dan Hipkins on a guided tour of the exhibition, revealing background stories, hidden meanings and what thickness of paint brush was used on certain bits. Alongside this are latenight cinema screenings of hand-picked classics from the Toss cartoon and film stable, including remixed pieces and never before seen work and a Q&A with Link.
There’s also been a reimagining of that infamous Periodic Table of Swearing as a choral version, which will be performed at Live At Brighton Dome. Link had the idea a long time ago. Then, in 2019, he met Li from the community chorus, Jam Tarts Choir. “I asked her if it was something she’d be up for doing, she instantly said; ‘Yeah, alright’ and came up with this incredible multilayered baroque style masterpiece, combining all 102 elements from the table. It was meant to happen in 2020 but got blocked by Covid. I urge people to see and hear this as we’ve no idea when it will happen again and it’s brilliant!”
Modern Toss: The First 8000 Days… comes to Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Oct, as part of Brighton Dome Comedy Festival 2024. www.brightondome.org www.moderntoss.com
MODERN TOSS
By Stuart Rolt
DANNY BEARD
2022 Drag Race winner sashays in with new show
“I suppose I fell into drag,” Danny Beard, already a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race and a burgeoning cabaret superstar, is telling me how it all started for them. “I wanted to be a stage school kid, but didn’t get in. I got offered foundation degrees and ended up doing one in acting. I learned to be this performative version of myself. Which sounds very arty farty, and it is...” Electing to do a course in contemporary theatre practice at university, they soon became entranced by the 80 Club Kids scene, which spawned icons like Boy George and Leigh Bowery.
“Just to have felt part of that in some small way would have felt fab. I hope someone comes to my show, who doesn’t have a clue who I am or what I do, but leaves thinking it was cool. I’d love that.” Spin forwards a few years, and that show may well be Beard’s Straight Expectations musical spectacular. It builds on last year’s sell-out debut tour and hugely-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run. Now Beard and their full live band return with an evening of huge songs, brilliant one-liners, scandalous behaviour and plenty of laughs. It’s a noholds-barred look at the world of a 6-foot, scouse drag queen.
It makes me wonder if the titular ‘expectations’ refer to the audience coming to see him, or those weighed upon this self-proclaimed ‘shady, singing, cartoon clown’ as a youngster. “It’s a bit of both really,” they tell me. “We get asked what we’re going to call it before we even know what the show is about. I do like a good pun. I suppose it’s about my view of the world as a drag queen, as a gay person and as someone who would call themselves queer. It’s my view on straight culture and what I think straight people expect drag queens to do, say and behave. Some of it is bang on right. and some couldn’t be further from the truth..!”
audience. There’s at least 60% of the show which hasn’t been prewritten, so it will be different for every performance on the tour. “Mostly because I love the artform of riffing with the audience. So, it’s a drag cabaret show, which everyone knows and loves, but on steroids.”
Elsewhere, Beard has popped up on The Weakest Link, Big Brother Late and Live, The Traitors Uncloaked, as well as having a cameo part in Hollyoaks. They also find the time to host The Gossip Gays, a podcast taking a look at the week’s news and gossip, as well as BBC Sounds’ podcast Danny Beard On Same Sex Love and Marriage and Radio 1’s Beginner’s Guide to Eurovision.
By Ben Ephgrave
The one thing you carry into a drag show is expectations. It’ll be much more than you think. Thriving at the intersection of musical theatre, standup and clowning, it manages to become more than the sum of those parts – a place where an act can transcend who they are and transform into something truly special. “It can be so much. Certainly, when we were coming up with what we were going to do, there was this pressure of setting myself apart. I’m lucky enough to be the first Drag Race star who has toured with a band with this kind of theatre style show. I love it. But I’ve done ten plus years in the gay clubs.”
Only last night they were performing at Heaven, and Beard tries to remain a constant face on the scene. “That was really my training ground. But this is me now trying to push the artform. There’s an opportunity to work with five amazing musicians, who are all so skilled, and they bring so much more to the show. There’s a vibrancy, life and quality. I want to be the best drag queen there is,” they pause for a hearty laugh. “That’s the delusion of drag... I probably never will be, but I can certainly try.”
Travelling around the country this month, Straight Expectations calls in at Brighton’s Komedia on Thurs 19 Sept, before eventually ending at London’s prestigious Peacock Theatre. Music provides the backbone of the whole show, while the glue is the moments with Beard and their
They were also a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, but it’s on RuPaul’s Drag Race that Beard truly punched into the public consciousness. There’s some modesty about the win though. “If you go in there with a gameplan, or trying to be anything other than yourself, it just doesn’t work. You see that with some of the people who either crumble under the pressure or don’t connect with the audience at home. I just went in there to be me.” There’s an admission that they didn’t initially think there was any chance of winning the show, in what was a golden season. But, about halfway through, it started dawning there might be a slim chance of seizing the crown. “It was the most transformative experience… getting that validation from RuPaul. They’re the world’s biggest drag queen. It’s like wanting to be a pop star and Madonna spending four weeks with you, telling you how you can be better. You are going to need a ‘wet floor’ sign. I’m forever grateful. Everyone there, from the crew and producers to the people who look after you, they all make sure you can just go there and be yourself. And I didn’t have to wash my own clothes or cook for a month. I just got to show off, it was amazing!” they say with a chuckle.
In performance terms, their new tour has brought Beard full circle. “I’ve just come out of a couple of day’s rehearsal with the band for this tour. On the last morning, I was just throwing stuff at them. And they just created it all in front of me. That’s a skill I don’t have. To be able to have that support added into my show just makes the end product better. What I’ve created is something I would want to go and see. I think this is going to be the best show I’ve ever done. So, I do want people to see it. Maybe I’ll shit myself the week before and regret telling everyone to come... But we’re finishing in the West End, so it’ll be my debut there. It feels so magical to be able to say that.”
They describe the creative process for Straight Expectations as being hugely enjoyable from start to finish. Beard performed with their own band for the first time at last year’s Edinburgh season and didn’t really know how audiences would react. “I don’t know what I expected… I just wanted to have a good time. Reviewers said it was one of the shows of the year, and we got five stars and all this amazing stuff around it. So, we’re piggybacking off that, taking something good and trying to make it better. I think we have.”
The fun part of their new fame is not knowing where it might take them. “I was offered a musical last year, which I couldn’t take because of my schedule. But I’d love to do musicals and theatre. I want to present more. Radio 1 recently came into my life, which took me in another direction. I feel like such a dick when I say it, I feel so lucky to be able to do just one of those things. Who knows what’s round the corner...? As long as I’m working, having a good time, and people around me are having a good time, that’s what matters to me right now. There’s so many artists out there who can’t live off their art.”
After Drag Race, they’re not as shy about putting themselves forward - if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Beard has already had a full day of interviews and meetings. “I’ve just met with some TV, researched what they were doing and said: ‘I could present that’. Five years ago. I wouldn’t have done that. Sometimes, people don’t join the dots, unless you do it for them. If someone’s reading this now and wants to do drag; go and buy that fucking wig! If you want to do music, go and buy a guitar. You just got to do it and put yourself out there. I think the universe has a little helping hand if it’s meant to be.”
It’s undeniable that drag is now part of the entertainment mainstream. But Beard thinks it can go even further. There’s still plenty of people who overlook the form or subconsciously pigeonhole it. “The one thing I’m not is a female impersonator. Many people think that’s what drag is. I’m more of a clown. It’s an armour - a thing we put on to do what we want to do. For me, that is performing, presenting, singing and doing stand-up. For others, that might be selling products online, or doing make-up tutorials. That power of drag is what it enables you to be. As RuPaul says, you’re born naked, and the rest is drag. When you go to work, you put on elements of yourself that you aren’t doing at home. It’s just that some people dress up fabulously and show off as their job.
“The best course for drag is to fucking do it. I won Drag Idol UK and got to gig from Brighton to Scotland. That was it. I was suddenly a cabaret drag act, when I wasn’t really before…” They say there have still been those tough shows. Nobody can always be the best version of yourself. We’re only human. “I cut my teeth over those years. People think you go on Drag Race and become an overnight success, but I’d spent more than a decade doing shows. It’d been a long time in the making. I’d just never had the opportunity, team or platform to do it on this scale. I feel so lucky. I get to say: ‘Hey! I’m going to work today. And it’s in London’s Peacock Theatre, with a five-piece band. “ Five years ago, I would have said that’s what it looks like to make it.”
Danny Beard’s Straight Expectations comes to Brighton’s Komedia on Thurs 19 Sept.
www.komedia.co.uk
www.socomedy.co.uk/artist/danny-beard
Image By Ben Ephgrave
Maisie
Kiell
Sophie
Kiri
Paul
Modern
THE SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER: RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPONSE
Sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity; in the face of the accelerating realities of climate change, resource depletion, and social inequalities, the role of designers has never been more critical. From interior design to architecture to product design, our choices today shape the world of tomorrow.
While there is a clear need for the built environment industry, representing around 40% of UK CO2 emissions, to develop environmentally sustainable practices; sustainability is more than just the environment. Sustainability is a complex relationship between the pressures of our social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts; and incorporating sustainability into our design practices not only benefits the planet but also improves the health, well-being, and productivity of users.
West Dean, renowned for arts, design and conservation education, is addressing the need to consider sustainability in design with a series of online talks, by industry-leading theorists and practitioners, that challenge industry professionals and educators to rethink how they approach sustainability. From the reuse of materials and products to issues of well-being, The Sustainable Designer series will inspire and provoke students and professionals to consider the future of a practice; integrating greater
awareness of sustainability across social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts.
The role of design in well-being, shaping people’s mental, physical, and emotional health is a key focus of the talks. In particular, the importance of human-centred design that prioritises the needs of those living, working and interacting within spaces. The series will also explore the benefits of biophilic design, which focuses on the human connection to nature, and considers natural light, air quality, incorporating plants and the use of natural materials, shapes and forms in designs.
Other topics include how designers can create vegan and cruelty-free interiors that echo client values, opting for animal-free alternatives such as synthetic leathers and organic textiles and questioning how natural materials can offer a beautiful and environmentally friendly alternative to their synthetic counterparts. Similarly, questioning the relationship between luxury and consumerism, the series will challenge us to consider how upcycling offers a creative solution to waste reduction, turning discarded items into unique, functional pieces that breathe new life into interiors.
The Sustainable Designer will also cover the crucial element of how to plan and communicate
sustainable design projects. The industry faces a challenge. When clients don’t see sustainable alternatives as an attractive or luxury-focused alternative, there is less incentive for manufacturers and suppliers to develop those sustainable products. We are trapped in a repeating, downward cycle. Within this context, engaging teams, clients, and the industry at large is essential for driving innovation, fostering creativity and implementing sustainable solutions.
Ultimately designers need to incorporate sustainable thinking and practices into the work. By making conscious choices that consider the long-term impacts of design decisions on both human and environmental systems, designers have the opportunity to create spaces that not only meet the needs of the present but also contribute to a more sustainable future for generations to come.
The Sustainable Designer series of talks runs online from 27 September – 15 November 2024. Purchase tickets and find out more about all West Dean’s courses at westdean.ac.uk.
Sustainable fashion brands MAKU UK and Effei Clothing Chat to BN1 post Brighton pop-up
There are multiple ways to shop consciously now; buying second hand, mending old clothes or handing down clothes to friends and family. With that said, if you are going to shop new, there are plenty of brands out there doing it ethically and sustainably. So we might as well tell you about a few of BN1’s favourite brands right now, using creative ways to be sustainable in an often greenwashed and over-saturated market.
MAKU UK and Effei Clothing featured at a popup shop in Hanningtons lanes this summer. Organised by Lizzy Bishop, director of Brighton Sustainable Fashion Week. Bishop created her brand Betty and The Brands, to showcase some of the emerging and exciting talent in sustainable fashion.
Suzan Aral, founder and creative director of MAKU UK is all about making “useful beautiful things from leather industry discards.” After Aral learned statistics such as, “a natural product such as a leather hide or a sheepskin has so many variables. If you're trying to produce a large batch of anything, the large batch might be only 10 jackets, you might need 6, 8, 10 hides or sheepskin that match one another and match each in that range of 10 jackets. Therefore a lot gets discarded just because maybe the sheen is slightly different. Then of course there's all the discards from natural blemishes, holes in the material. Perhaps the printing or the dyeing hasn't gone as equally. So all of those and there's also of course off-cuts, regardless of all of that. Yes, a lot of waste and I just decided that there were obviously some really nice uses for it. My aim is to make useful, beautiful things.”
Suzan started out as a graphic designer and has always been involved in art in one way or another along her career path. Aral goes on to explain how this love of creating and using waste turned into a clothing brand. “I have always been interested in less waste and making use of what other people deem as waste. So it kind of sprung out of that.” Suzan started out making three batches of shoes from leather off-cuts, which launched in 2021 and hasn't looked back since. Growing from strength to strength and expanding their range to include hats, bags, reversible gilets and plenty of other goodies. They have also just launched their first hand-painted range. But we will get into that later.
Suzan wanted to highlight the challenges of relying solely on off-cuts, “we always have limited
edition products because of the finite amount of any waste that you find. It is a challenge for us to manage because sometimes the batches can be very small.” This highlights the importance of talking about these brands to spread awareness on alternatives to fast fashion as well as celebrating people's creative ways to combat the waste from the fashion industry. There is still of course a long way to go with the fashion industry as a whole regarding sustainability, but Suzan is combaiting it one slipper at time.
Talking of slippers, we start to chat about some of the garments created by the leather off-cuts. Starting with the bestsellers, it’s interesting to see what designs have caught people's attention. From their staple handbags to cosy slippers, Suzan has made some customer favourites. Excitingly, MAKU UK have just teamed up with, “artist Melissa White who has created a unique design for our handmade POLIN slip-ons. This will be a micro batch of slippers made from leather industry seconds. Melissa will be hand-painting her beautiful acanthus leaf pattern on just five pairs.” Suzan explained the backstory of these leather off-cuts. Saying that leather being used is very nice but has slightly uneven surfaces and got rejected because of this. Luckily, White can work around the patches that aren't suitable and make the most out of the fabric they have.
From collaborations with interior designers and artists to working with craftsmen in Istanbul, Suzan shares her experiences of growing up around feltmaking and now working with a feltmaker in Turkey. “I remember seeing some felt making around the country, but it was disappearing even then, because it's a very labour intensive process. The only places you might see traditional felt used is under saddles in more rural areas.” However, Suzan went on to find a felt maker in Turkey, which she kindly persuaded to start feltmaking again, as he was in the process of closing up shop because of such few customers. Yet, Suzan convinced him to keep going and “now he produces for us and other people too. When he was affected by the earthquake last February last year, sadly, there was a lot of damage to his home and the whole city, but he's now back and working again which is great. We'd love to do more of that and we're investigating natural dying at the moment too.”
I asked how she found these contacts, as Suzan now lives in England with a studio in Hastings, I imagine it must be difficult to find these international
By Rosie Paldi Edwards
craftsmen. Suzan explains how “it's just research, originally word of mouth we were asking people we knew back in Turkey for connections that might work. It was an awful lot of emails and phone calls going back and forth and slowly trying samples out and then building from there. The industry is always changing and since we've started in just three, four years, due to things like the Ukrainian war and the way trade goes, it's certainly an industry in flux, as I imagine the fashion industry is as a whole. Though we're having to ride those waves and find our way through as novices, it's a challenge but we're slowly growing.”
MAKU UK certainly has been growing! They have previously featured pop-ups in John Lewis and Oxford Street. The brand also regularly attends big events like Stanmer Park’s Makers Fair in Brighton, the art festival Hastings Bronze and is involved with Brighton’s Sustainable Fashion Week. There are also plans to open a shop, in their work premises the DEPO in Hastings and will be open for the first two weeks in September. Suzan explains how, "we designed our workspace in Hastings, aka the DEPO, so it can also be used by others interested in wasting less. To date we have hosted many events including pop-up sales, sewing groups and art classes – all with sustainability at their core.”
If you're interested in any of the lovely garments I've been talking about, then I’ve listed her website and socials below as well as future events to look out for.
www.maku.uk
@maku_uk
Coastal Currents Art Festival, on the 31/08 – 01/09 + 07-08/09, at the DEPO: 2A Elphinstone Road, Hastings TN34 2EE
The Maker’s Fair on the 13-14-15 September, from 10am – 4pm, at NT Standen House, East Grinstead
Sustainable Fashion Week Market / Brighton Dome, on Saturday 28 September, from 10am – 4.30pm, at the Brighton Dome Foyer, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UE
Sustainable Fashion Week / Hastings Hub, on the 28–29/09/24, at the DEPO: 2A Elphinstone Road, Hastings TN34 2EE
Italian designer Aurora Circelli explains in her own words the ethos of the brand “Effei tells the story of cultural diversity through its creations, offering the opportunity to explore and learn about different cultures from their textile tradition. Wearing cultures is the motto that defines the company’s path.”
I asked what got her into fashion and she explained how a love for creating and clothing started young as her grandparents and mum owned a clothes shop. “Since I was a child, I used to always be in contact with clothes. Everytime I would get clothes and paint them, cut them and turn them into something different. I think building something unique has always been my point of view.” Circelli added, however, that she doesn't like the word fashion. It has connotations and makes her think of the more toxic traits of the industry. Saying it can be hard to explain this sometimes, but I understand the discussion of semantics and can see her point of view.
Circelli goes on to describe how she got from playing with clothes in her family's shop to starting her own brand. “Right after the pandemic, it was a very busy and chaotic period. I've actually been working on it for three years before, while I was studying economics and management in Rome. I was studying economics but I really wanted to do something related to travel. So, I said okay, let's make the first t-shirt. I was not really aware of what it could be. But my desire, my goal, has always been that I want to be in contact with artisans all over the world, to buy and make clothing from it.”After fully committing to making this idea a reality, that's when Aurora Circelli’s clothing brand really came together. “When I decided to start the company, I thought now I can make a real collection. So I can really work with authentic fabrics and it's all about traditional techniques. Sustainability was one of our pillars from the start. I didn't want to make something sustainable just for the environment. No it would be something responsible and much more of a social responsibility as well.
By creating a brand centred around these traditional skills, Aurora is helping to keep traditions and cultures alive as well as keeping local business in business. The only problem is how do you start a brand based around travel and international artisanal makers in the middle
of Covid? “Actually my first idea was to travel all over the world, being in contact with artisans, but of course, like for many, it was pretty impossible to be physically there.” After a lot of research, persistently calling people and many many emails later she began to build some relationships and slowly began visiting countries again after the pandemic.
BN1 wanted to find out about some of the more obscure or interesting techniques Circelli had picked up along her travels. “One of them is the Batik, Asian Batik in Bali. Something about it is just stunning. First of all, they need to put wax on the cloth and then you’re gonna dye all those clothes in natural dyes. Even making that natural dye is a whole other process and it takes a lot of time, it's pretty hard. After removing wax, it's just something you know, it's very unnatural. It looks really printed with loads of different shades.” Circelli goes on to explain how it's difficult to pick out a best seller when all the fabrics are different. However, Aurora does include one garment that particularly stands out to her customers. “It's hard picking a bestseller. Everytime people fall in love with one specific fabric. But of course the best seller is Autonomy, that's the Mexican one. I think it's the colours and you can really see and touch the hand embroidery.” Circelli continues to add her personal favourite which is “the Salizada, that is the only Italian one. It's fabric from Venice, I think I love it, not just because it's from Italy, but because I saw them working in the lab. It's really impressive and very hard working with a loom.”
The designer has enjoyed doing pop-ups abroad in the past in London and Italy and adds on the importance of seeing clothes in person. Stating passionately that clothes are meant to be touched and tried on. A physical shop is a completely different experience to buying online.
Saying that, until Aurora hosts another event in the UK we will have to wait and buy online in the meantime. So her website and socials are linked below if you fancy a browse.
www.effeiclothing.com
@effei_clothingbrand
Similar to MAKU, Effei Clothing holds traditional skills and techniques close to the brand’s heart.
By Rosie Paldi Edwards
BRIGHTON DOME COMEDY FESTIVAL
Multi-venue laugh-a-thon comes to the centre of the city
By Stuart Rolt
“Comedy is probably the only art form where you can only create in front of an audience,” Rosie Crane tells me. “There's no point in just writing a great show in your bedroom and practising it in front of the mirror. It doesn't work until you've done it in front of an audience.”
As Brighton Dome’s comedy producer, Crane has seen comedians of every flavour perform at the iconic city centre venue. And this October, she’s planning to cram every corner of the building with the biggest talents around. From superstars like Fern Brady and Nish Kumar, to critically-acclaimed breakthrough performers, every flavour of stand-up is coming to Brighton Comedy Festival for four days in October.
“Some of these comedians, when they get to that ‘Concert Hall’ size, they would have done hundreds of ‘Work in Progress’ shows,” she adds. “They need those audiences to practise their craft, and hone that show to the point where they can tour. I love comedy for that reason. It's entirely dependent on people’s reaction to everything and each crowd is different. They create their own atmosphere for each show.”
Running Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Oct, this new festival showcases stand up alongside improv, storytelling workshops and art installations, and builds upon the success of Brighton Dome’s year-round comedy calendar. For the first time since its huge restoration programme, the event will span all three major venues at the building on New Road. The project has created all kinds of new performance and rehearsal spaces for the
four-day extravaganza to utilise. “I’m just about getting used to it now,” Crane admits. “There were some places where I was getting lost, because it's so very different in certain areas to how it used to be, and it was quite confusing for a bit.”
The festival has been held off until the refurbishment was finished so it could use every available corner. The Corn Exchange is being divided in half, with one side finding use as a theatre and the other hosting an exhibition from the legendary cartoonists, Modern Toss, during the day. “Every time I talk to them about what they're building, I get more and more excited. It just sounds completely mad and brilliant.” Celebrated for an instantly recognisable style and uncivil look at life, their illustrations are being brought to life in a groundbreaking show. Many of its attractions will be interactive, including a special Portrait Gallery, also in the Founders Room, where you can be immortalised by their artists. “Less family-friendly is their infamous Periodic Table Of Swearing – which has been turned into a 3D dimensional exhibit with lots of buttons to press. You can work out the rest... I know that some children are going to love that, but it’s very much up to the parents if they want their children pressing those buttons…” The Jam Tarts Choir have also created a choral interpretation of the Table, which will see a performance at the festival.
Crane is keen to point out that, despite contemporary stand-up having a reputation of involving robust language, not everyone is a fan of profanity. In response, the festival is
establishing Live at Brighton Dome Bleeped. It’s aimed at both youngsters aged 11+ and those who want to see a show without filthy stories or curse words. “I felt like there are lots of young people who watch comedians online at home but can't come out to see it because the age restriction is usually 16+. So, I wanted to provide something for that demographic, where they can come out with their parents, if they want to, and enjoy live comedy.” While this seems a logical offering, she hasn’t heard of anything similar on this scale elsewhere in the country.
“Whenever I'm at a non-work event, and people ask me what I do, it's one of the most common things that comes up. I find particularly the older demographic will say they really like comedy but find it all a bit sweary.” There’s plenty of comedians on the scene who don’t include foul language in their routines, but when you’re going to see a live show there’s no guarantee of that.
“I think we need to spread the word, because that's an audience that's not used to coming out. It might take a while to build, but it's really interesting.”
It sets me wondering if comedy has gotten more profane in the last couple of decades. The air in the musical-halls and working men’s clubs of old would be thick with coarse language. Then the alternative scene during the end of the last century was arguably as robust, despite now filtering out most of the bigotry. A prompt for offence was due to those choice words being beamed into people’s homes as part of a newly-founded Channel 4’s search for edgy programming. “There's probably less swearing
Kiell Smith Bynoe Brighton Dome Comedy Festival
in comedy than people perceive there is, I think. I don't know if it really has gotten any worse, especially when I think about Alexei Sayle and Ben Elton back in the 80s and 90s. It's obviously become more ‘acceptable’.” Crane suggests many comedians rose up from playing dingy clubs, where there’s often a need to hold your own in quite a difficult environment. “But then there’s people like James Acaster, who’s one of the most successful comics around at the moment. He doesn't swear very much. Or Bridget Christie and Sara Pascoe… There's a lot of really big, successful acts that aren’t particularly sweary.”
Instead of it being a crusade against vulgarity in comedy, the Live at Brighton Dome Bleeped show seems like a genuine attempt to widen the Festival’s audience as much as possible. There are numerous ways it’s tackling barriers to entry, including the provision of captioning at every show across the four days. This is enabled by a team of stenographers, which includes industry leader, Claire Hill.
“It’s remarkable how quickly she can interpret what comedians are saying. There are comedians we have coming, like Spencer Jones, who are really challenging. He has a lot of mad noises and things which are not words. She captioned him live at a Brighton Dome night in May, and he said: ‘There's going to be this thing which makes a kind of boiiiinnnng noise’. She can create words which sound like that and type it all out.”
And this diversity amongst the audience carries through to the performers themselves. One of the most important aspects for Crane, when she was planning this year’s event, was to create an equal gender split between the acts. “I first started thinking about this maybe 10 years ago, and at the time, there weren't many women who could sell-out the concert hall,” she tells me. “Now, I've had no difficulty in finding plenty of brilliant women. It hasn't felt like I've had to put a quota in place or anything. There's just so many great acts coming up through the ranks that there's just loads to choose from. Which is really exciting.”
There’s also workshops for young people from age 12 - 16, during the six weeks into the festival. Organised in partnership with Komedia Productions, these take place in the Dome’s brand-new community space, Anita’s Room. Each workshop is led by local comedian Tom Veryzer with guest comedians coming in across the weeks, and focusing on different elements of comedy plus developing writing skills, with the aim of building confidence and creativity whilst having a lot of fun – all ending with a special show in the Studio Theatre. “We've prioritised young people who get free school meals. They get a chance to come and learn from some really exciting comedians.” The festival is also collaborating with a London-based organisation which seeks to platform comedians from refugee backgrounds. Mentored by awardwinning comedian, Tom Parry, No Direction Home brings some of their best stand-ups to the Festival for their inaugural Brighton showcase in the Studio Theatre on the Sunday evening.
One of the things she wanted to do was make the festival family orientated during the daytime. There’s some amazing kids shows on Saturday and Sunday in the Studio Theatre in the afternoon such as Phil Kay’s hugely popular interactive hour, Gimme Your Left Shoe. “The kids give him their shoe when they arrive, and then have to perform some kind of turn to earn their shoe back, and he decides whether it's good enough! It's total chaos.”
“Another kids’ show we have is Shelf, a comedy duo who were here during the May Festival. They were so brilliant that I asked them back. They only did one show, and it sold out really quickly, and people absolutely loved it. They talk about sort of gender issues in a way that is just really affirming and lovely and really funny. And they’re just very silly.”
Other treats include Kiell Smith-Bynoe, the star of Ghosts and Stath Lets Flats, unveiling his brand-new improv show Kiell Smith-Bynoe & Friends in the Corn Exchange on Thursday night. There’s also award-winning clown Julia Masli, Edinburgh Fringe favourite Rob Auton, local legend Maisie Adam and Kiri PritchardMcLean all bringing their current tours to the festival.
Crane cut her teeth with the Live at Brighton Dome nights. This festival very much builds on that success; it’s centrepiece being another Live At… event with Sarah Pasco headlining. After Covid eased, she organised the Live Is Alive shows with 11 other venues across town, reinforcing what great things can flourish if different institutions work together. “It felt like a really positive thing to be involved with. They all have different relationships with each other, but they're all part of the ecosystem of live music and comedy in the city. We all rely on each other, so I think it's important that we all work together as well. Everyone's got a different ethos, identity and idea of what should be platformed, which is quite interesting.” She says this is what makes Brighton such a different ecosystem. “It's not just a load of cookie cutter national-brand venues.”
She’s adamant that the role of comedy is an extremely direct art form. “You need to be quite clever to be a comedian. I think you have to be very sharp and sensitive to the audience and read the room; understand how they're reacting to things and react really quickly yourself. In general, they're lovely people to work with, and they're very supportive of each other, which is really nice.” She hopes there’ll be a friendly vibe backstage, where acts will hang out and watch each other’s work. “It’s one of the things I really like about comedians is that they always want to see what each other is doing. I'm sure there'll be lots of people running from one venue to the other to try and kind of catch their friends doing what they're doing…”
Brighton Dome Comedy Festival comes to Brighton Dome’s Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre on Thurs 24Sun 27 Oct.
Sophie Duker
Spencer Jones
Maisie Adam
Nish Kumar
KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN Unveils New Show
It’s been a busy few years for Kiri Pritchard-McLean, but she’s found the time to write a brand-new show – Peacock. As well as hosting Live At The Apollo, fronting the Radio 4 panel show Best Medicine and starting a comedy school, she’s become a foster parent. Until recently she hasn’t been able to talk about it on stage and hadn’t even told the kids in her care that she’s a comedian. She’s also been using a different name… She’s the Bruce Wayne of comedy but without the mansions.
However, this year something changed and after a couple of the eggiest gigs of her career in boardrooms to social workers, a show about becoming a foster carer has been signed off. Now we get to meet ‘Louise’ as she lifts the lid on social workers, first aid training and what not to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube. Now, Peacock is heading out on a massive UK and Ireland tour, which includes a visit to Brighton Dome on Fri 25 Oct.
“It’s fantastic to see our foster carer, Kiri, positively promoting fostering during her UK tour,” said Alastair Cope, Head of Foster Wale. “It will really help increase awareness of foster care, and challenge false perceptions around what it takes to be a foster carer. We hope that through Kiri candidly sharing her fostering journey, people will recognise skills and qualities in themselves and consider putting in an enquiry to foster”.
Pritchard-McLean is a multi-award-winning comedian, satirist and writer. Her recent credits include appearances on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She has a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales, and has hosted Newsjack, Loose Ends and The News Quiz and her Radio 4 panel show, Best Medicine, has just been commissioned for a second series.
Kiri is also co-creator and co-host of cult hit true crime podcast All Killa No Filla, which has amassed a huge following worldwide. She also hosts the podcast Who Are You Wearing, which features her guests chatting about their experiences with fashion. She somehow also manages to find the time to co-present the comedy travel podcast, The Pod of Wales, with Esyllt Sears.
One fifth of the sketch group Tarot, Pritchard-McLean is a former winner of the Caroline Aherne Bursary – and has written and directed for The Old Vic and her BBC Radio Wales sitcom, The Learners has just been recommissioned for a third time.
In 2023 she made her screen directing debut for the BBC with Pobl Bachyn. Kiri has also written extensively across radio and was a writer on four series of The Russell Howard Hour.
During lockdown she hosted Live From The Covid Arms, which was declared a cultural highlight of 2020 by The Telegraph and recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest online pub, while raising over £150,000 for food banks and The Trussell Trust.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Peacock Brighton Dome Comedy Festival Fri 25 Oct 2024, 20:00
THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER XIU XIU PLUS SUPPORT: I AM FYA
HOMELAND ALBUM LAUNCH WITH ROSE HILL RECORDS
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER SCANNER: HARRY SMITH AT 100 PART OF CINECITY FILM FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER
ERLAND COOPER: CARVE THE RUNES THEN BE CONTENT WITH SILENCE
Image: Xiu Xiu by Eva Luise Hoppe
GWYNETH GOES SKIING
From courtroom drama to musical extravaganza
Gwyneth Goes Skiing - Image by Jonny Ruff
“We love pop culture,” Linus Karp tells me. He and Joseph Martin are the two halves of Awkward Productions, an unconventional theatre company who mirror and mutate society’s obsession with celebrity. Now, with Gwyneth Goes Skiing, the pair are taking on one of the disease’s more bizarre legal battles.
“What was so special about this trial is the ridiculousness of it,” he tells me. “We’re so used to courtrooms and trials being serious things and often quite tragic for the people involved. But this time, it was two people going into each other on the slopes, and one of them being Gwyneth Paltrow; with all that brings with it. I feel like it was one of those news stories you could follow and just have fun with.”
In case you missed the blaze of publicity surrounding the case, it all stems from a 2016 skiing accident between the Hollywood superstar turned lifestyle guru and a retired optometrist called Terry Sanderson. Culpability for the collision was hotly contested, leading to a highly public court case in front of a delighted celebrityobsessed media.
“We were sort of following it all online,” says Karp. “And more and more ridiculous quotes were coming out from it. So, I turned to Joseph and said: ‘Don’t you think there’s a show in this? Like, imagine a Fringe show called Gwyneth Goes Skiing?”
There were conflicting accounts of what happened, debates about skiing etiquette, questions in court about Paltrow’s height, fashion and relationship with Taylor Swift and a failed attempt to buy lunch for the building’s security staff. Each bizarre turn became the subject of speculation, amusement and several internet memes.
“Obviously, this was a real case with real people at the centre,” says Martin. “But the consequences were very little or non-existent. When it was playing out online, it was giving people joy to watch the crazy moments which were coming out of it, at a time which was pretty miserable.”
I’m talking to the pair over Zoom, while they find themselves in the middle of another criticallyacclaimed and sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe. It follows on from Gwyneth Goes Skiing already enjoying hugely successful London runs and a US transfer. And soon this sweet-natured and slightly musical comedy / courtroom drama is heading out on a nationwide tour, jibbing into Hove’s The Old Market on Mon 7 - Tues 8 Oct.
“We’ve been spoiled,” says Martin. “Everything has gone well and people are really enjoying it. Right from when we announced the show just before Christmas, the response was extremely positive. We’re very, very pleased.”
A mixture of love, betrayal and skiing, the show enables the audience to become the jury in that now infamous trial. Martin takes on the part of Sanderson, while Karp transforms into Paltrow –managing to not only embrace some chic ski wear but cast a look at some of the star’s fashion from earlier years as well.
“Luckily, he takes quite a while to grow hair,” Joseph says with a chortle. “But there is a whole transformation process which happens before the show. He takes it very seriously. You’ll meet Gwyneth and Terry… and see the lead up to the collision. Or what we believe that looked like in our
version of their universe. The second act is the trial. There’s a mix of ridiculous verbatim quotes and some other bits we’ve created. We’ve also got these fabulous songs peppered throughout.”
The score for Gwyneth Goes Skiing was composed by singer and record producer Leland, who has appeared in several seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and written hits for artists like Selena Gomez, Troye Sivan, Daya, Andy Grammer and Kelsea Ballerini. It also features a special video appearance by Drag Race All Stars winner Trixie Mattel, while other vocals are provided by Darren Criss (Glee, The Assassination of Gianni Versace) and Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Catherine Cohen.
Karp tells me they met Leland during their run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe with the hugely acclaimed Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story “He came to see us and was really nice afterwards, so we all went for dinner. He was saying how much he enjoyed our work, and if we ever needed music for a show…
“We were like: ‘Oh, I wonder if he’s just saying that?’ When we had this Gwyneth idea, we approached him. He’s been amazing. He’s been so involved throughout the entire process, which has been so cool.” Rather than being a direct musical, the pair describe the work as a play with songs. Their practice plays around with the form, seeing which boundaries can be pushed and what can be achieved with a bit of ambition. “I think, you know… not necessarily being musical theatre performers doesn’t stop us from doing it,” says Martin.
The pair were both professionally trained in stage skills. Karp in Sweden and Martin in London. But they’ve had to learn every other aspect of being an award-winning theatre company by going out and doing it. “Things like production, directing and writing, we’ve learnt as we’ve gone along, and that’s also been part of the real fun of it,” says Martin. “Both the last show and this one involved puppetry. From me, I’ve got no puppetry experience… but let’s just figure it out and make it work!”
The pair started working together in 2017, after Karp found a script that he wanted to put on. “We kind of figured it out together,” continues Martin. “Like how you stage a play, how you get the rights, how you book a theatre, blah, blah, blah. And it’s just grown from there.”
“After that one, we’ve started writing our own shows,” adds Karp. “I think it’s always been pop culture based. It’s always been very queer, positive and joyful. A lot of queer stories can be very sad. That’s often, you know, homophobia, AIDS or bad coming-out stories. Obviously, those need to be told, but I feel there should be room for queer joy as well. That’s what we tend to centre our shows around.” They say they always want their productions to feel like a live event; the very opposite of going to the cinema and just sitting back and watching something. By building a world together onstage and involving the audience, they can ensure every night is unique.
“We love combining art forms,” Karp muses. “When we were developing the show before this, I found myself writing musical numbers. I guess that’s happening now! And we’ve got a choreographer on board who has helped us.”
Martin says the development in ambition for the company has been quite interesting. “We were
writing Gwyneth, and said: ‘This thing happens, and then this thing...’ We were writing stage directions and thinking it doesn’t matter how we make it work. That’s the director’s problem. But we’re also those people!” Karp breaks in for a moment. “But you can’t really think too much about that. You’re like: ‘I’m just gonna write the best version of this early…’ When that’s finished, that will be when we’ll work it out.”
Obviously, the burning question is has the titular Gwyneth seen their show yet? “She’s been asked about it in interviews,” says Karp. “She sort of said…” He suddenly breaks into a surprisingly good Paltrow impression. “I tend not to engage too much with that kind of thing! But she knew it was going on when she was in London.” Martin says her legal team lawyers saw the show when they performed in Utah. “They were very nice,” he says, with a small measure of relief. “They were very positive. So, if you can pass the lawyer test... I feel good.”
“The lawyers actually bought a ticket for her to come with them, but she didn’t show up,” adds Karp. “But the lawyers loved it. One of them came back twice. And we have a couple of people who knew her who had come to see it, and they said she’d probably enjoy it.”
The thing the pair found when creating the show was they knew a lot more about Paltrow than previously thought. She remains a staple for newspaper and magazine headlines because, aside from her performances in films like sliding doors and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she’s become well known for her beauty brands and eccentric lifestyle advice – including a range of ‘personal smelling’ candles. “She’s one of those people who has been in the public eye for however many decades; there’s information about her stored in the depths of our brains,” says Martin. As well as covering the trial, the show also examines different public perceptions of Paltrow, continuing their practice of examining every aspect of celebrity culture.
“Ultimately, it’s just there to entertain,” says Karp. “Gwyneth Paltrow is such a fascinating person, just because there are so many sides to her. There’s the film star and her business empire, the famous relationships, her naming her daughter Apple and the sort of language she chooses to use. Blythe Danner is her mum; her dad is a film director, and her godfather is Steven Spielberg. She’s been a big part of the Hollywood establishment from birth.”
Despite the gentle chiding, Martin is eager to point out the production remains very much pro-Paltrow. “What we are commenting on is the trial and what the online world saw of it,” he asserts. “It’s not: ‘Oh my God, look at how stupid Gwyneth Paltrow is by doing all of these crazy things!’ I don’t think that would be enjoyable. I don’t think that’s fair for an audience as well. I think that kind of humour feels quite cheap. We’ll embrace it all and give you the full ridiculousness of it… but it’s done with genuine love and affection.”
www.theoldmarket.com www.linktr.ee/awkwardprods
Awkward Productions present Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Hove’s The Old Market on Mon 7 - Tues 8 Oct.
host your entire special day
STANMER HOUSE HOSTED EVENTS
We are proud to introduce you to Stanmer House, a beautiful Grade I listed Manor House full of history dating back as far as the 1720’s. Found in the picturesque landscape of Stammer Park, minutes from Central Brighton, and backing onto the South Downs, we are surrounded by nature.
Stanmer House is made up of a selection of adjoining rooms overlooking our beautiful private garden, where we host events of up to 450 guests across the ground floor. Beautiful Georgian features can be found in every room, including large fireplaces and tall ceilings. From birthday celebrations of all ages to weddings, workshops, meetings, baby showers, celebrations of life and ticketed events, we really have hosted it all. We are fully accessible, dogfriendly and have a wonderful in-house team ready to work with you to create your perfect day. From menu creation to that specific wine you once had on holiday, we will do whatever we can to make you feel special while at Stanmer House.
We are excited to announce we have recently been granted a wedding licence to hold wedding ceremonies in our Henry Pelham room and our Garden for up to 100 guests, meaning
we can now host your entire special day from the ‘I do’s’ through to the very last dance.
Why not get in touch with us today to discuss the details of your event. We have limited availability for Christmas parties, and our dates for Summer 2025 are filling fast.
When not hosting events, we are open to the public for breakfast, lunch and pre-booked afternoon teas, and our Sunday roasts are always worth visiting for. Book your table now to see for yourself.
Details:
Henry Pelham – ceremonies for up to 100 guests, dining for up to 60, party for up to 120
Thomas Pleham – dining for up to 60, party for up to 120
Lady Anne – dining for up to 30, party for up to 50
Garden – wedding ceremonies for up to 100
Whole house – dining for up to 150 –across HP, TP & LA, party for up to 450
MARK INSCOE
Sussex-based
celebrant talks about creating memorable ceremonies
By Stuart Rolt
The human fondness for ceremony is undeniable. Our history of rituals marking special events is as old as civilisation itself. Over times they’ve evolved, drawing influence from different cultures, religions and our understanding of the universe. In the modern age, we might not be performing special rites to ensure a bountiful harvest, but we still want to celebrate community, devotion and the good fortune which brought us all together.
Celebrants are playing an increasing role in how we mark occasions like weddings, funerals, vow renewals, baby naming and memorials. Unbound by any particular faith or practice, they’re free to design ceremonies according to the specific needs of participants; adopting and adapting to make a day truly special.
Mark Inscoe is a celebrant based in Sussex. His role involves creating unique events for clients, which are based around their lived experience and personality. He took some time to talk us through his work, and explain what helps make an occasion truly memorable.
Could you describe your work as a celebrant?
As a celebrant, I am providing a service which is offering people a totally personalised ceremony. It’s a true privilege to be able to create something truly unique for every client. I work with my clients to deliver a mostly nonreligious option to mark their event; but can include some religious or cultural content to reflect their personal backgrounds, wishes or beliefs. Every ceremony is bespoke, and my job begins with a meeting with the couple or family, communication throughout the writing process and culminating with me delivering a perfectly crafted ceremony.
Is there a wide range of ceremonies you attend?
For couples, I write Wedding Celebration Ceremonies, Commitment and Renewal of Vows Ceremonies. As a Funeral Celebrant, I create and deliver funeral and ‘celebration of life’ ceremonies.
Naming ceremonies are a non-religious option to baptism, welcoming new babies or adopted
and step children into a family (rather than a faith) – but naming ceremonies can be a way to celebrate transition into a new gender identity too.
How much of these ceremonies is about creating stories and memories?
When communicating with my couples my aim is to really bring through their personalities and character into my composition. By learning their love stories and aspirations, I am then able to suggest content to compliment them, as individuals and as a couple. They may already have a clear idea of their theme and specific music, readings, contributions from family or friends, etc, but otherwise, I can help them with suggestions.
Are there a wide range of venues where you’ve been part of celebrations?
My ‘couples ceremonies’ take place in all sorts of different venues. Castles, hotels, outdoor rural and beach settings, and I recently officiated a ceremony on a vintage yacht in Mallorca! Although, I have been living in Brighton & Hove for nearly 22 years, I am happy to consider any destination.
Is there room for incorporating themes into ceremonies?
Couples will often have a clear idea of the theme for their ceremony. That may resemble a very traditional ‘white wedding’, or may reflect their interests, hobbies, environmental passions (such as promoting sustainability) – or even something that fulfils a fantasy, such as a ’Disney’ or even ‘Game of Thrones’ theme!
To add highlights to a ceremony, I often suggest including symbolic actions. Handfasting is a traditional Celtic action which gave rise to the phrase ‘tying the knot’. This has become very popular and can be personalised with specific coloured cords or ribbons to reflect my couples personalities.
But there are many other symbolic actions including ‘tree planting’, Unity Candles, Sand Mixing and even Cocktail Mixing!
Why did you decide to become a celebrant?
I have had a successful career as a West End musical theatre actor/singer, having appeared in shows such as diverse as Les MIserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and Priscilla Queen Of The Desert! Then lockdown came along and every theatre space around the World closed! My skillset as an actor and writer, along with my life experience and gregarious personality are well suited to working as a celebrant.
As a gay man, I welcomed the Civil Partnership Act of 2004 and Same Sex Marriage Act in 2013, bringing gay marriage in line with opposite sex marriage and giving rise to Celebrant culture. So, I am very keen to promote LGBTQ+ ceremonies.
What kind of training did you undertake to become a celebrant?
I have achieved two level three diplomas for my role as a celebrant; Couples and Naming and Funeral Celebrancy. This training fully prepared me to approach my work. The training provides an extensive knowledge of the history of ceremonies, the traditions of different cultures and faiths, ceremony law, the process of creating a ceremony, marketing, equality and diversity – particularly important for me, as I am keen to promote full LGBTQ+ equality.
What’s the best part of your job?
Meeting loving couples who are excited about the prospect of their special day, whether that be to celebrate their marriage or commitment to each other, or to mark an anniversary by renewing their vows. It’s a real honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of enhancing that day with whatever they wish for. To work with them to create something uniquely personal, which they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. My motto is ‘Your Day – Your Way’.
To find out more about Mark’s work, visit: www. civilcelebrantsussex.com or see what he’s been doing on Instagram and Facebook at: @civilcelebrantsussex
Image by Sansom Photography
With love from the Himalayas
By Clare Best
Dear Reader,
As I write this, I’m gazing across the river at the lush green hills on the other side. The clouds, soft as cashmere, lazily cling to the foothills—a sharp contrast to the wild, untamed Mother Ganga below, who’s clearly having one of her more spirited days.
A blackbird sings its daily morning anthem, sounding like it flew straight out of a retro Clangers episode. Finally, I’m feeling less like the river and more like those clouds—calm and still—after months of chaos that left me realising time for creative thinking was becoming something of a luxury.
Upon landing in Delhi, I sought refuge in a top hotel, where pampering was practically an art form. The place looked like a set from the movie Dune —doors grand enough for a sandworm to rush through, Timothée Chalamet in tow. The contrast was dizzying: one moment, I was doing more in a day than the recommended daily dose; the next, hotel staff were practically tripping over themselves to open doors for me. One particularly attentive waiter rushed over with a glass of water when a tickle in my throat triggered a cough—a cough that would’ve had me shown the door at a Parisian café back home.
Next up: the Himalayas. I arrived at a hidden gateway etched with a trident, grinning at the symbolism—from one trident to another. It was the kind of smile that bubbles up from freshly poured champagne. Little did I know just how many more of those bubbly moments were awaiting me on the other side—enough to leave me thoroughly sloshed on life.
One of my teachers, Mahalakshmi, said one day, "A laugh comes from external factors, but a smile comes from within." She nailed it, and in that moment, I knew I would be writing a little something about my stay here. Sure, I was happy at the Trident Hotel, especially when I found my room decked out with birthday balloons, a cake on the table, and a pool view to enjoy it by. But those pleasures were fleeting. Not even a poolside cake can distract when a monsoon storm is brewing within.
It’s poetic that this little haven, Sivananda Kutir, sits at the end of a bridge, especially one over Ma Ganga. Crossing it felt like transitioning from external pleasures and laughter to the inner smiles that burst out while singing with a group of 40 others—my temporary family in this little ashram village, monkeys for pets included. We do everything together: eating, studying, singing, and racing to claim shared bathrooms between classes (just for an authentic home-from-home experience). Be warned, the schedule isn’t for the faint of heart. But as the saying goes, when you know the why, you can endure any how. Once I realised the schedule was designed to mirror daily life—teaching that there really is time for everything—the inner rebellion faded. These practices are straightforward when each has its own allocated time, but the true challenge lies in applying them back in the real world. That’s the essence of this course.
Our Bhagavad Gita teacher put it well: “Real freedom isn’t doing what you want if it means being a slave to your senses.” True freedom comes from having the discipline to reach your goals and fulfil your duties. It’s a universal law: what’s easy in the short term becomes hard in the long run, and vice versa. I genuinely can’t think of any other experience you can book online that has the potential to transform every area of your life like this course does. And the only thing they ask in return is that you approach it with an open heart and mind.
Shortly after arriving, we embarked on a day trip that quickly morphed into what the ashram director Vinod cheerfully dubbed “an adventure,” flashing one of his brilliant smiles as we stopped for the third time due to landslides. Like Indiana Jones himself, we were to uncover some gems
of our own along the way. Without getting too Eat, Pray, Love on you, here’s a question: What’s the one thing that could get you through anything? (Hint: It’s not poolside lounging.) If this is your X on the map, just imagine where the journey might lead. One which could very well deserve the title of The Holy Grail.
…and that was the first draft of this article. But buckle up, Indy… it’s about to go deeper.
I blinked, and suddenly we were nearing the end of our month-long training when Mahalakshmi shared something that happened during her own TTC course, which brought me back to my pen and paper. She made a list of questions for her teacher when she was advised to hold off asking them. “Wait until the end,” she was told, “and if they haven’t been answered, ask then.” You guessed it, by the end, every question had been answered. So, I held back as many of my own as I could, and sure enough, they were answered too.
But with only a couple of days left and Mahalakshmi’s words ringing in my ears—"Ask the right questions"—I felt an overwhelming need to ask something. It was like an invitation to drink from a well of knowledge; how could I miss such an opportunity? The only problem was, I didn’t know what that question was.
With each class, the pressure of finding the right question grew. What was I supposed to ask? Just as I resigned myself to thinking there was no question at all, it hit me as she spoke. What she said was pretty much the very statement she made a few weeks previously that had started this whole dilemma: “That’s why I never asked questions— because I wouldn’t get the answer. The answer comes when you’re ready.”
And that was it. A smile as effervescent as a fresh pour spread across my face as she looked me in the eye and smiled a knowing smile that could challenge even one of Vinod’s. And let’s guess what came next—pretty much the same thing that happens after too many celebratory toasts—tears. Not of sadness, but of release. The question to answer all questions.
With more wisdom than a Karate Kid marathon, it hit me: the moment you surrender is the moment everything falls into place. The universe had brought me this far, and as I sat in my own personal version of heaven, I realised something. The universe hadn’t done a bad job. Just like nature didn’t botch those lush green forests opposite me, life had always worked out—and why wouldn’t it continue to do so?
So, my first draft of “What knowledge, once known, would mean no other knowledge is needed?” became, “What question can I not ask to answer all questions?”
Perhaps the real challenge is: Are you willing to surrender? To let go of the reins of horses we’ll never control? If we can—whether freely or out of sheer exhaustion—our reward will be resolution.
And that’s what broke the dam for me. If that’s the case, how easy and free life will be! How I looked after I felt. All I have to do is get ready for the highest thing that can be revealed to me.
The higher the preparation, the higher the revelation. I’ll end on that.
Photos by: @Pratiik_Paathare Join me at: @4amriseandthrive
LIFE by Luxmuralis
TV GUIDE
COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS
TUES 3 SEPT
BBC IPLAYER
This Australian sleeper hit returns for a second season, with Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer reprising their roles as an odd couple thrown together by their desire to care for a dog with complex health issues.
We last saw Ashley and Gordon finally move past the disastrous birthday party he’d planned for her. After an epic row ensued, the pair finally drove away together, making a commitment to Colin the border terrier and forming a dysfunctional family. Joining in the fun are Emma Harvie (RFDS, In Limbo), Genevieve Hegney (Devil’s Dust) and Michael Logo return for more canine based fun, in this frothy and thoughtful comedy.
SLOW HORSES
WEDS 4 SEPT
APPLE TV+
Gary Oldman revives (arguably) the best role of his career, as the notorious and slightly smelly Jackson Lamb saddles up to defend the realm once again. This darkly funny espionage drama follows a team of British intelligence agents, who have all been relegated to Slough House, a dumping ground department for MI5 after career-ending mistakes. Here they endure dull, paper-pushing tasks, out of the way of the ‘proper’ secret agents.
They’re led by the brilliant and irascible Lamb. He’d much rather concentrate on drinking himself into an early grave, but occasionally sinister forces threaten his nation. So, he reluctantly puts down his fag, slips his shoes on and attempts to navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors.
FUNNY WOMAN
FRI 6 SEPT SKY MAX
Gemma Arterton launches into a second season of this hit comedy drama. She plays Barbara Parker (who goes by the stage name of Sophie Straw), an actor attempting to sustain a successful comedy career in the 1960s. It might be a period of great social change, but her rise to the top is fraught with obstacles.
This next chapter finds her on a high. She’s the nation’s favourite TV comedy star; she’s got a group of good friends and a romance with Dennis is full of promise. But trouble is always nearby. Her lover’s divorce will take three years, Sophie’s new RV show stalls and she uncovers a devastating family secret.
TULSA KING
SUN 15 SEPT
PARAMOUNT+ UK
Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown) offers up another big helping of his compelling crime drama starring Sylvester Stallone. Season two sees the Italian stallion’s character, Dwight Manfredi, attempting to further his empire’s reach. But the Mafia capo has to juggle family battles and the ever-present spectre of law enforcement agencies.
Manfredi’s crew seem to have everything within reach, but slowly it begins to dawn that they’re not the only ones who want to stake their claim on Tulsa. With looming threats from the Kansas City mob and a very powerful local businessman, he struggles to keep family and crew safe, while keeping track of all his affairs – and there’s still unfinished business back in New York.
AGATHA ALL ALONG
WEDS 18 SEPT
DISNEY+
There’ve been highs and lows with the MCU’s TV offerings, but now Wandavision, arguably the franchise’s best instalment, gets its own spin-off. The infamous Agatha Harkness was Wanda’s neighbour in the bubble community of Westview, finding herself increasingly jealous of the galaxy’s most powerful witch. Now she finds herself down and out of power, after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell.
Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches’ Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they’re missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious youngster pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road.
SLOW HORSES
COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS
E P I C R E S I P E S
Instant Pot Birria Tacos
Serves: 6
Time to make: 1 hour 30 mins
Difficulty: 6/10
Dive into the rich and savoury world of Birria Tacos, made simple with the help of an Instant Pot. This beloved Mexican dish features tender, juicy meat in a flavorful, spiced broth, folded into corn tortillas and served with a side of the broth for dipping. Perfect for a flavorful and festive meal any day of the week!
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 kg beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 dried guajillo chiles, seeds removed
• 3 dried ancho chiles, seeds removed
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 onion, quartered
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 bay leaves
• Corn tortillas, for serving
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving
DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare the Chiles: Toast the guajillo and ancho chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat until they become fragrant. Remove from heat, and soak them in hot water for 15 minutes to soften.
2. Blend the Sauce: Drain the chiles and place them in a blender along with onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, cloves, and cinnamon. Add a cup of beef broth and blend until smooth.
3. Cook the Meat: Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper. Place them in the Instant Pot and pour the blended chile sauce over them. Add the remaining beef broth and bay leaves.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to cook under high pressure for 45 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally.
5. Shred the Meat: Remove the beef from the pot and shred it with two forks. Skim off any excess fat from the broth and adjust seasoning if needed.
6. Assemble the Tacos: Dip the corn tortillas in the warm broth, then fill them with the shredded beef. Fold and pan-fry the tacos until crispy.
7. Serve: Serve the tacos garnished with fresh cilantro and accompanied by lime wedges. Offer a small bowl of the spiced broth for dipping.
These Instant Pot Birria Tacos are not just a meal; they are a culinary experience—deeply flavorful and incredibly satisfying, they bring the essence of Mexican street food right to your kitchen.
FILM
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
FRI 6 SEPT
Creative visionary Tim Burton (Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood) and Michael Keaton (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Birdman) revive their fantasy comedy horror for a second outing. Winona Ryder (Stranger Things, Little Women) and Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, The Nightmare Before Christmas) also revive their roles from the 80s classic, along with Justin Theroux (The Leftovers), Monica Bellucci (The Matrix) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday).
Three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia is horrified when the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says the mischievous demon’s name three times and he returns to unleash mayhem.
LEE
FRI 13 SEPT
Acclaimed cinematographer Ellen Kuras makes her debut in the director’s chair with this biopic of a fascinating woman. Adapted from the 1985 biography The Lives of Lee Miller by Antony Penros, we look at the career of the iconic war journalist (and Sussex resident).
This project has taken eight years to complete, and offers the talents of Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough and Alexander Skarsgård. After modelling in New York, Miller moved to Paris and became fascinated by photography. When World War II erupts, she worked as a correspondent for Vogue. She went on to chronicle the Blitz, France’s liberation and the horror of concentration camps, while thriving in a society which wasn’t quite ready for her.
MY OLD ASS
FRI 13 SEPT
An 18th birthday mushroom trip brings freespirited Elliott (Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (the exceptional Aubrey Plaza), in this fresh comingof-age comedy drama. But when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do, Elliott realises she might have to rethink everything about family, love and what’s quickly becoming a transformative summer. It’s written and directed by Megan Park, who made her directorial debut with the acclaimed teen drama The Fallout. Now she brings together a promising cast, which include Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks, in a film which sees her teaming up with the producers of Saltburn and Barbie to create something both life-affirming and gently subversive.
GUIDE
THE KILLER’S GAME
FRI 13 SEPT
Based on a book by Jay R Bonansinga, Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews and Ben Kingsley take on this darkly comedic and actionpacked tale. It’s the directorial debut of JJ Perry, who made a name for himself as stuntman and stunt coordinator on films like Avatar: The Way of Water, F9: The Fast Saga and John Wick: Chapter 2.
When contract killer Joe Flood is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to choose his own fate – taking out a hit on himself. But when the very hitmen he hired also targets his exgirlfriend, he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.
BAGMAN
FRI 20 SEPT
Sam Claflin, Antonia Thomas, Sharon D Clarke and Adelle Leonce star in this dark horror thriller. A family find themselves ensnared in a terrifying scenario, as they start to be hunted by a malevolent, mythical creature.
For centuries and across cultures, parents have warned their children of the legendary Bagman, who snatches innocent children and stuffs them into his vile, rotting bag—never to be seen again. Patrick McKee (Claflin) narrowly escaped such an encounter as a boy, which left him with lasting scars throughout his adulthood. Now, Patrick’s childhood tormentor has returned, threatening the safety of his wife Karina (Antonia Thomas) and son Jake (Caréll Vincent Rhoden).
TRANSFORMERS ONE
FRI 20 SEPT
Robots in disguise! The Transformers franchise has been a little uneven, to say the least. It’s ranged from the inspiring to the almost exploitative, but this new instalment takes us back to where it all started – in more ways than one. Now we hear the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, and look closer at the society they came from.
Better known as sworn enemies, this metallic pair were once brother-in-arms, whose actions changed the fate of Cybertron and their strange robotic race forever. This firstever fully CG-animated Transformers movie features an astonishing voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm.
MEGALOPOLIS
FRI 27 SEPT
Francis Ford Coppola directs an all-star cast in this expansive Roman epic, which has been transplanted into an imagined modern America. The City of New Rome must change. But blocking the road to progress is an all-encompassing conflict between two great men…
On one side is Cesar Catilina, a genius artist with ambitions of leaping into a utopian, idealistic future. On the other side is Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero, the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
