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CITY GIRL
IN THE CITY
VICTORIA NANGLE
Deacon Blue
’m a bit happy. I’m not afraid to say it out loud, but I’ve been frequently sighted walking down Marine Parade beaming my smile like I think I’m in the running for lighthouse impersonator of the year. We tend to share it when we’re down. When the weather is getting to us – what with there being a massive storm blowing us halfway to kingdom come and attacking our homes recently – or when work or homelife isn’t coming together quite as we’d like. Friendships are strong and helpful in getting through the tough times. But it’s easy to forget to share the happy times too – after all, when there’s so much fun going on who’s got time to stop along the way and say everything’s groovy? It’s nice though. Really nice. If a trouble shared is a trouble
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IN THIS ISSUE
Deacon Blue make their return to the live stage in 2016 with some of the biggest shows of their continued resurgence. Following their triumphant comeback four years ago, Deacon Blue have gone from strength to strength, with sold out tours in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Brighton Centre, 20 November 2016, £29.50, www.brightoncentre.co.uk
halved, a joy expressed is a joy doubled. Pals that have been there when I’ve been a moody mare deserve to get some of the good stuff too. They’ve put in the legwork, bless them. Moods are kinetic, they get passed from one person to another. Just as an entire bad day can spread as one person snapping at your morning coffee wrong-foots you, you might be that bit less patient when the dweeb behind you in the queue steps on your foot. It can so easily pay it forward. So if the occasion offers itself, I like to throw a mood into the mix to counter that ruckus waiting in the afternoon. As the song says; spread a little happiness as you go by. Please try. And if you see me smiling happily away on the seafront, smile back. It’ll feel good.
Lee Scratch Perry 40th Anniversary Tour Regarded with awe throughout the music world, Lee “Scratch” Perry holds status as one of the most enduring and original reggae producers and artists of all time. Concorde2, 13 March 2016, £22, www.concorde2.co.uk
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4 Chicken Run Feathered fundraising for charity 7 VegfestUK Vegan food and entertainment at VegfestUK 8 Wave Hypnotherapy, and the benefits of living life as a vegan 10 Shopping Style spring clean 11 Andrew Kay Yak Yak Yak On becoming a cat lady 12 Andrew Kay Dines Out Stock Burger 13 Hot List Restaurants, cafes & takeaways 13 The Box 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown 14 Brighton Science Festival Mindblowing events 15 Interview Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats 16 Guy Thoughts The cycle of life 16 Entertainment news What’s on for stage, film, comedy, art & music – plus the chart 19 Mike Ward At Large/Reviews Singing loud and proud, Plus what’s been happening around our city
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FEATHER The Brighton Chicken Run is on Sunday 20th March 2016 in Hove Park at 10am he Brighton Chicken Run turns three on Sunday 20th March and like most three year olds it’s still refusing to do as it’s told, still happiest when wearing ridiculous costumes in public and still prefers a Chocolate Easter egg for breakfast! The guy who set up the event, James Macdonald, is half of the team that came up with one of the city’s longest running charity events, The Heroes Run. We asked him... Chicken running... earning Easter eggs... why? “There were three main reasons why I wanted to put on a Chicken Run event. Firstly, anything that makes people laugh or smile is a good thing and being passed by a sea of chicken runners is a tough thing to ignore. Secondly I wanted to create a fundraising event that really supports charities with smaller budgets. I do this by charging charities less for their places than the public rate. Finally if you can encourage people to get into a healthier lifestyle through running then maybe they can start to earn their Chocolate eggs, which might also be a positive thing.” Since the event started in 2013 it has raised about £8,000 for 15 charities. James is hoping that this year’s event will raise considerably more for lots more charities and is asking, why not make a charity’s day this Easter by contacting them after the event to say something along the lines of “I did the Chicken Run, had a whip round in the office and raised this money for you.” He is also hoping that this year’s event might manage to set an unofficial World Record for the most people running around dressed as chickens. To his knowledge no such record presently exists but he has the goal of 500 Chicken Runners as the target to aim for. There are a number of lovely supportive event partners who all do
their bit to help make the day possible. The biggest thank you must go to the event’s main sponsor Nando’s, for their ongoing support and for their goody bags which amongst other things always include a half chicken voucher for every race finisher! Included in the race entry is your chicken costume, a well earned race medal, an Easter egg and of course your Nando’s goody bag. Everyone who signs up is also entitled to one week’s free British Military Fitness membership at their local BMF class. Here’s what a few of last year’s chicken runners had to say about the event.
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“A great time was had and we will definitely be back next year with friends in tow.” (Penny, Worthing) “Excellent run! Great organisation. Half the egg scoffed already. Bring on next year.” (Hannah, Brighton) “Thank you so much for another fun event. I'm training for the Brighton Marathon so as you can imagine I'm sick to death of early Sunday mornings and long runs! The Chicken Run was just what I needed! I must admit, at first I did wonder what on earth I, a middle aged woman was doing standing alone in a damp park in a chicken outfit but once the warm up started I forgot all about it. I even got a personal best time!” (Lucy, Brighton)
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BRAINED James hopes the Chicken Run becomes really well established in the city and also that it will enable lots of charities to continue their valuable and vital work. He also hopes that people who are usually turned off by the idea of running sign up this year, have a really great time and realise that this whole being fit and running around isn’t just for fit people who run around. So why not sign up and run something genuinely unique this year. The Brighton Chicken Run event organisers can’t guarantee that the experience will turn you into a running legend overnight but they can assure you that it will be lots of fun and you will earn your Easter egg. To sign up please go to: www.runnersworld.co.uk/events and type ‘Brighton Chicken Run’ For more information about the event visit the Brighton Chicken Run website: brightonandhovechick.wix.com/brightonchickenrun To watch a film that will give you an idea of how much of a giggle the event is visit: thelatest.co.uk/brighton/2014/04/16/hove-park-presents-the-firstever-chicken-run/
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VEGAN COMEDY HITS BRIGHTON Amazing hub of vegan food and entertainment at VegfestUK Brighton plethora of food, entertainment, laughter and inspiration awaits at VegfestUK Brighton on February 27th to 28th at the Brighton Centre, with the event showcasing many positive aspects of being vegan. One of the biggest highlights of the show is the UK Vegan Comedy Festival, which after its popular debut at the same event in 2015, is coming back to the Sunday part of the event with aplomb. The comedy festival is headlined by Andrew O'Neill, Carl Donnelly and Jake Yapp, who are ably supported by quality acts such as Mike Kelson, Lou Sanders, Donal Coonan, Sonja Quita Doubleday, Alasdair BeckettKing, John Robb and Angie Belcher. Who says being vegan means depriving ourselves of humour and laughter? The delicious VegfestUK cocktail also includes an absolute feast of sumptuous vegan food inspired by cuisines all over the world. Food varieties include pad thai, Caribbean plantains, American diners, Indian dosas and curries, vegan pizzas, vegan Chinese stir-fries and barbecues,
vegan doner kebabs, vegan hot dogs, vegan fish and chips, on top of the traditional crowd-pleasers such as vegan cupcakes, vegan chocolates, fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices plus loads more from altogether over 200 stalls laden with special discounts! There are many other activities at the event to keep everyone busy and happy, including dozens of talks, cookery demos, kids activities, a chill-out zone for teenagers, a corresponding one for the mature, live performances, a Hemp Expo on the benefits and uses of Hemp, on top of brand-new features such as the FxEctive Factor (a competition involving creative vegan advocacy), the Teachers Vegan Summit (discussing how to get veganism into schools), a Vegan Activists Summit (with useful ideas for vegan outreach in our communities) and more. Advance tickets to the event are on sale at ÂŁ7 per day and ÂŁ10 for the whole weekend (plus small booking fees). They can be bought at www.brighton.vegfest.co.uk/admission Kids under 16 get free entry
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SCIENCE
IS HYPNOSIS DANGEROUS?
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
ypnosis is not a dangerous procedure. It does not brainwash you or have mind controlling effects. A therapist cannot make a person do something embarrassing or that the person doesn't want to do.
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Dr Caroline Oprandi keeping you up to date with science & technology at PACA
How Does Hypnosis Work? Hypnosis is usually considered an aid to counselling or therapy this is because the hypnotic state allows people to explore painful thoughts, feelings, and memories they might have suppressed into their unconscious minds. In addition, hypnosis enables people to perceive some things differently, such as blocking an awareness of pain. Hypnosis can be used in two ways, as suggestion therapy or for patient analysis: Suggestion therapy: The hypnotic state can make someone better able to respond to suggestions. Therefore, hypnotherapy can help some people change certain behaviours, such as stopping smoking or nail biting. It can also help people change perceptions and sensations, and is particularly useful in treating pain. Analysis: This approach uses the relaxed state to explore a possible psychological root cause of a disorder or symptom. Once the trauma is revealed, it can be addressed in psychotherapy. www.theconwaypractice.co.uk/the-conway-practice-brighton-andhove/
recently wrote an article for the best practice section of the magazine Secondary Education. I read through some of the other related articles and this one, written by Sir Mike Griffiths, I had to share: ‘To succeed with STEM; teachers must control the curriculum’. Sir Mike Griffiths says that if we are to attract enough outstanding people into STEM teaching and also inspire students to embrace these subjects, we must take control of the curriculum and support our teachers’ development. He goes onto say: “Increasingly accountability measures (Ofsted, EBacc) are being used to drive the curriculum and its delivery. This must stop. We must get away from perverse incentives that see schools offering a curriculum to suit a The very league table rather than our children. essence of Politicians must step science is the back from the practical work curriculum. It is not their place to determine what should be taught and how, any more than it is their place to tell surgeons what operation is needed and how to perform it. “But it is not only elected politicians who seek to influence the “way” we do things. There are educationalists who muddy the waters too. An example: science is a way of looking at the world and seeking an understanding of just how things work. It generates hypotheses and then – and this is the uniqueness and beauty of science – tests those hypotheses until the idea is adopted as an accepted view (albeit one that might change in the future given new ideas and new evidence). The very essence of science is the practical work employed to test hypotheses. But the exams regulator, Ofqual, has determined that the marks for practical assessment will form no part of the examination grade for the subject (effectively because teachers cannot be trusted to assess practical skills fairly). “‘Investigations’ inspire many youngsters; it is what first excites them. It makes them want to study more. It is practical work that stimulates them to become the scientists – and science teachers – of the future. “Teachers have become compliant. We need to do what is right, not what we are told. The curriculum is too important to be left to those with alternative agendas. If we are to have a good supply of STEM teachers in the future, education professionals must be the ones to determine the nature of the curriculum. And if assessing investigative skills is difficult, we need to find ways to make it reliable and robust. Surely not beyond us?” Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) is a college offering sixth form, 11-16 years, youth centre, adult learning, community education, sports centre and pre-school. Find out more at www.paca.uk.com
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NLP • HYPNOTHERAPY • LIFE COACHING
the
conway practice Specialist in Smoking Cessation and Weight Control • Self Esteem • Anxiety • Phobias
Jonathan Conway Bsc Dip EHPNLP MNCH (acc) NLP Master Practitioner & Coach
(Hypnotherapy)
• Public Speaking • Relationship Difficulties
• Learn Self Hypnosis Help with Emotional problems and Wellbeing
Brighton, Hove, East Sussex & London Practices
01273 540425 • 07956 855027 www.theconwaypractice.co.uk
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MY BIG FAT VEGAN DIARY In the build up to VegfestUK Samantha Harman finds out what it’s like to become vegan arin Ridgers challenged me to become vegan for two weeks leading up to VegfestUK, Europe’s largest vegan event. I was persuaded through a combination of my own guilt at how the meat and dairy industry operate and her positive attitude, which I hoped might rub off on me. Before we begin, I feel it imperative to confess that for the entirety of my life I have been a staunch meat eater, often found face-down in a cheese board. Yesterday I cooked the mother of all Sunday Roasts, topped off with home-made apple pie and cream. The consequence of wanting to make the most of my last night of food freedom has resulted in being bloated and slightly windy. But we won’t dwell on that. Here follows exerts from my two week blog, and you can read in full on my twitter page . Day one. Monday 8th February Am resigned to my vegan fate. The experiment is perfectly timed – my thus far appalling diet has resulted in weight gain and low energy. Breakfast consisted of Bran Flakes with raisins and almond milk. At lunchtime perused my local supermarket, trying to decide what I could safely be eaten. Left with baby tomatoes, blueberries, grapes and a sour expression. First telephone conversation with Karin was immensely helpful, she advised me on how best to proceed. Returned to said super market to purchase oat cakes and hummus – feeling motivated! Day two. Tuesday 9th February Good news – my mood has vastly improved, also feeling more energetic and not as tired as usual. Bad news – slipped up at dinner time (sorry Karin!). Visited a fantastic new burger bar with family, fear not, did not succumb to meat, just Haloumi – which yes, it’s dairy, but was starving! Didn’t fancy vegan option on offer – potato and vegetable patty inside a burger bun? Sounded like it would stick to the roof of my mouth, no thanks. Note to self – research required prior to visiting eating establishments... Day three. Wednesday 10th February Back on vegan wagon, not a scrap of dairy or meat has passed these angelic lips today. Found solace in soup (Bona Foodie) and a rather wonderful chickpea bread from Purezza on St James Street at lunchtime. Throughly enjoyed roasted veg, hummus and oat cakes for dinner. The meals I am consuming feel cleaner and less heavy. P.S – Vertese kindly sent me some vitamins tailored for vegans today too, so will be giving them a whirl. Day five. Friday 12th February Good news: A colleague who hasn’t seen me since Monday informed me I look thinner in the face, overjoyed to receive such an encouraging accolade – now if only the rest of me would catch up! Bad news: Accidentally' drank too much Prosecco this evening (I think you can guess where this is going) as a result of drunkenness, 'accidentally' ate three slices of salami and a mini pork pie, or maybe two. Feel incredibly guilty. Day six. Saturday 13th February Major breakthrough with hangover food – visited my new vegan buddy
Ideya again and ordered Sweet potato and pesto pie, accompanied by shredded beetroot and broccoli with almonds. So much better than the usual guff I favour when fuzzy headed. What hangover? Day seven. Valentine’s Day My gorgeous fiance took me for a vegan valentines lunch at Wai Kika Moo Kau followed by an almond milk latte and beetroot cake. Was not too bloated for 'romance'. Think fiance likes benefits of vegan diet. Day eight. Monday 15th February Spoke with Tim Barford, Director of Vegfest, who has been vegan for 30 years. He informed me that it takes 30 days to experience the full benefits of veganism. During this time you can experience lows and fatigue as the body adjusts and relapses are common – made me feel better about my slip- ups. Day nine. Tuesday 16th February Not missing meat. Missing cheese though. A lot. Luckily Vegusto, multiaward winning gourmet cheese and meat alternative company, sent me a host of vegan cheeses to try. Day ten. Wednesday 17th February As a major cheese groupie, let me tell you I'm a tough crowd. Happy to report that my first ever vegan cheese toastie was amazing, just as good as the real thing. Being vegan now seems a real possiblity!
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I had no preconceptions prior to embarking on my vegan adventure, just felt it was time for a dietary overhaul. Have found it challenging at times, as with any life change. What this experiment has done is force me to consider what I eat and in particular the effects food has on my wellbeing. Going forward I know I can live without meat and will continue to do so, perhaps I will ease myself into veganism? Brighton is the city in which to do this thanks to the vast array of amazing restaurants, cafes and shops that support an alternative diet. Really pleased that I did this and will defintely be attending VegfestUK to find out more. www.vegfest.co.uk
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SHOPPING BETHANIE LUNN Style spring clean: What to ditch, donate and desire for the spring season hen spring arrives, so many of us start to spring clean the house; throwing out the old and welcoming the new. The same principle should apply to your wardrobe! Bethanie Lunn tells us what items are worth keeping to see you through spring/ summer and into autumn/winter, which garments you should let go of and what everyone is going to be River Island Floral Print Plimsolls, £28 coveting...
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Ditch or Donate The prim and proper look – the pussy bow blouses and sleek pencil skirts of last year are out in place of Geek Chic. Team a slogan sweater or tee with cigarette trousers or dungarees rolled up at the ankles to show off your hightops or brogues. The slogan must mean something to you and stand for what you’re all about for it to work well. This look is so comfortable; it’s great for everyone. Desire Metallic and denim are two of your key tones for spring summer. Shirt dresses and pinafore dresses are going to be everywhere, Warehouse already has some amazing styles available. Choose a denim, midi length design and you’re bang on. Team with metallic brogues, colour pop or floral print plimsolls for a truly modern edge.
Monsoon Karolina Pinafore Dress, £90
Keep All those candy and pastel shades you saw in summer and autumn 2015, keep them. They’re going to come back around this year. Update them by combining them with metallic or neutrals. Both are going to be BIG news this year. You can already see metallic creeping into stores in the Centre with River Island, Miss Selfridge and TOPSHOP leading the way.
Bethanie Lunn is Churchill Square’s Style Ambassador – blogging regularly at www.churchillsquare.com, hosting events and now offering Personal Shopping services. Check out the website to view all the budget-friendly packages, starting at just £20.
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ANDREW KAY YAK YAK YAK
SPONSORED BY Bardsley’s Fish & Chips
Follow me: latestandrew ANDREWKAY100
MIAOW I
am a parent once again. Not of a human of course, that would require so many unavailable factors as to be way beyond a possibility. No, I have once again adopted a rescue animal, this time a cat. I had recently had a chat with my bestie about getting a beastie. I've never subscribed to that whole cat or dog person thing. I am an animal person. I grew up with cats, dogs and budgerigars, well I am northern after all. That does not mean by the way that I grew up with whippets and I have never ever worn a flat cap. My first pet was a boxer called Judy. Judy was a good name, in later years when asked what things like your prostitute name was, Judy as it happens, it seemed rather suitable. We had lots of lovely dogs and cats as I grew up and when I moved to Brighton and the time was right I had lots more – including two fabulous Cornish Rex kittens that grew up to be amazing characters. Then I wanted a dog again, a boxer. I had by that time seen that there was a need to rescue pets that had, for whatever reason, been abandoned. I contacted Boxer Rescue, met the volunteer who appropriately vetted me and my home, and then joined the waiting list. Some time later Buster arrived and my family was complete again. Buster loved my herd of cats, by that time five and they all slept together in the one basket, how Brighton is that? Now many years on I have adopted once again. This time an elderly cat called Willow. Willow is half Siamese and half alien and I have had her less than a week. She is of course rather nervous as yet, hardly surprising given the sudden change in her circumstances. But she is already finding her way around my home and has discovered numerous places where she can hide away and watch on
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It's amazing how well a cat can hide in a small home and even though I know she cannot as yet get out, she did avoid discovery last night for nearly an hour
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give me a nervous breakdown. It's amazing how well a cat can hide in a small home and even though I know she cannot as yet get out, she did avoid discovery last night for nearly an hour. Of course cats are wily beasts and this no doubt was her way of punishing for going out for a couple of hours without her permission. She hides in silence, very unnerving, but once discovered she is the noisiest cat I have ever known. Friends tell me that this is typical of Siamese cats so I am not unduly worried by it, but my word what a racket. She is also a creature of extremes. One minute hiding away and the next climbing up on my knee, then my chest and finally onto my face where she channel 159 or at thelatest.tv
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head butts me relentlessly. Willow came with a lot of possessions, bowls, flea combs, trays and the hugest variety of food stuff that you could imagine. She came with frozen fish, luxury sachets of chicken and seafoods and two kinds of dry foods, one for day and would you believe it one for night. It was a daunting selection delivered with the news that she is a fussy eater. The first night she was very nervous, understandably, but she was less nervous when I offered her some slices of garlic studded leg of lamb. She ate with the enthusiasm of a lion devouring fresh kill. That night she had delicious garlic breath and was comforted that rather than being a fussy eater she was
in fact a discerning eater. Since then she has eaten pretty much everything that I have put down for her and polished off the lot. It does suggest that rather than being a fussy eater this is down to owners being fussy feeders and bless them that probably is born of love. It's very early days for Willow and I, and until she is more relaxed in her new home I have decided to keep her. This of course means the horror that is a litter tray. Her previous owners had told me that she is reluctant to use a litter tray and is more likely to use a pot plant. That was a worry and a relief too as I do not have any pot plants. So no alternative "facilities" for Willow. I put out the tray and she gave it a very wide birth for quite some time, but needs must and eventually I heard the familiar scratching that one associates with catty toilet needs. An hour later I went to inspect and yes, she had used it, and yes, she had scattered the litter withe gay abandon of an aunty at a wedding furnished with confetti. There is a cat flap and it will be put into use ASAP! All this marks a new era in my life, I'm sixty, single and have become a cat person. I may have to learn how to knit or crochet next, and who knows where that will lead. Alternatively, you can all continue as usual, and treat me as the degenerate character that I hope I am best known as. Invite me for dinner, out for drinks, to parties… really I'm not old, even with the cat. A friend on discovering that I was sixty thought that it would make me feel better to know that he was soon to be fifty and that fifty was in fact the forty. I replied that if fifty was the new forty then forty was the new waist measurement. That is not far from the truth either!
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ANDREW KAY DINES OUT
WHERE IT’S @
Follow me: latestandrew ANDREWKAY100
first met chef Isaac on the stage of the Live Food Show in the Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival, and I was blown away by the inventiveness of his food, his excellent demonstration skills and his precision and immaculate working process. These are all factors that I am seeking when I try a new restaurant and a new chef, important yes, but not as important as how the food tastes and how satisfying the whole I could have dining experience is. gone home Isaac delivers on every level and a few happy with just a weeks ago I was to see loaf of either and taste that bread tucked completely. Isaac@, the rather odd name of under my arm his restaurant is in a tiny space in the North Laine that in a former life was an office. How he has managed to fit in a restaurant and kitchen, and a pretty impressive brigade of chefs, is a miracle. But as miracles go, it’s minor. The food he is creating is a miracle on the grand scale, water into wine at the very least, making the blind see or the lame walk even. It’s a tasting menu, with no choices, you are buying into a dining experience and one that I urge you to try. I love good bread but often fear that it will fill me up too soon. Isaacs shallot brioche and treacle bread was so good that I did not care, and I could have gone home happy with just a loaf of either bread tucked under my arm. There was course after course, a celebration of carrot that restored my love of carrot. There was stone bass with Alexander buds, foraging worth foraging for. Succulent pink pork as tasty as any pork I have ever tasted. An apple dessert that somehow managed to capture that first bite into the best apple memory you have coupled with memories of childhood funfairs. In fact fun and memories play a major part in the experience that is
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Isaac@. You may also be wondering at why I have not given fuller descriptions of the dishes. The reasons are simple, the dishes are simple expressions of great ingredients. Not simple in their execution, far from it, there is clearly a lot of skill at play here. Secondly, the menu is an ever changing feast of seasonal and local produce. What I had is unlikely to be what you have, except perhaps the beautiful bread. I urge you to go see, taste and enjoy. Head Office, 2 Gloucester Street, Brighton, BN1 4EW, 07765934740, www.isaac-at.com
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HOT LIST
ANDREW BULLOCK THE BOX
CAFE Kiki & Flowers
Follow me: @andrewjbullock
“Kiki’s Kitchen offers simple, healthy fresh lunches such as slow cooked Vietnamese beef with rice or grilled haloumi salad all at really reasonable prices. The lunch boxes special is just £5. Once the evenings get lighter they will be opening later and later perfect for an after-work glass of wine." Opening hours Monday to Saturday 8am - 6pm Sunday 10am-3pm 63 Holland Road,Hove www.kikisflowershop.co.uk
8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN
have always loved watching Countdown! I used to rush home from school in the days of Carol Vorderman and Richard Whiteley and plonk myself in front of the TV in time for 4:30 to see which jacket the latter was wearing that day (and which dress the former was wearing that day). Then Richard died and things got a bit touch and go for a while. Countdown was in limbo, with its various celebrity replacements named Des; and Carol inevitably teetered on the verge of quitting at any given moment. It seems to have stabilised itself into a new era now though, with Rachel Riley and Nick Hewer politely conversing across the studio, (albeit lacking the banter of Carol and Richard). I enjoy 8 out of 10 Cats Does Jimmy Carr Countdown as resembles a well – despite the fact that every time hyperventilating Jimmy Carr emits a walrus laugh my internal organs literally start to implode into one another. I like how it's basically Countdown with swearing and innuendo and contestants that actually appear to have a personality. But I have one major issue with it (aside from Carr's laughter/voice/teeth/mouth/hair/face). Literally the first third of an episode is taken up introducing who the contestants, team captains and dictionary corner people are that day. Time it – I promise you it lasts about 20 minutes of the hour-long episode. Now, I know that its all comedic and light-hearted but really - 20 minutes? The team captains are the same people every week, so I don't really see the need to dwell so lengthily on them. Each week, Jimmy asks the teams if they have a mascot. I'm not sure that this portion of the show hasn't run its course now. Jon Richardson's "mascot" was that every time it was his turn to play the game, he'd pitch an idea for a new TV show. Am I missing something there? Sean Lock's was to mix a cocktail of 26 liquids all starting with each letter of the alphabet. Whilst this was entertaining,it was more of a skit than a representational totem to encourage good fortune. So that portion of the show needs to be nixed, as does the laborious slog we have to sit through while Jimmy Carr works his way around the studio, from left to right, finally landing on Rachel Riley who most probably won't say anything funny, leading to a major anticlimax. I am always practically salivating in anticipation for the letters round. Although something will inevitably happen during the first selection of letters to slow things down further. They'll spell out the word F.L.A.P for example and send Jimmy into a breathless fit of hysterics resembling a hyperventilating walrus. Andrew Bullock is a producer, presenter and writer. You can read more at www.drewjbullock.wordpress
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INDIAN The Chilli Pickle The Chilli Pickle is a local favourite with national recognition which combines traditional Indian methods with local produce and an individual style. Their ample Thalis spice up a midday meeting or a catch-up with friends, whilst the evening menu offers inventive street food, decadent Tandoori dishes and tasty regional curries, served in a vibrant and bustling setting. The Chilli Pickle featured in the National Restaurant Awards’ UK top 100 in 2011–14 and has retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2010 to 2015. The Chilli Pickle, 17 Jubilee Square, Brighton, 01273 900383, www.thechillipickle.com
The Chilli Pickle Canteen The definitive delivery service from The Chilli Pickle launched this year. Bold, Indian-inspired design, specially commissioned artwork and smart delivery stake out new ground in home dining. Meanwhile, the menu showcases some of the restaurant’s familiar touches, with regional curries and homemade pickles and chutneys, plus superb ice creams. The Chilli Pickle Canteen: order online at thechillipicklecanteen.com, 01273 900384
Chaula’s Lewes Chaula’s is renowned for its signature dishes, distinctive décor and friendly staff. All meals are made fresh to order and every curry has its own distinctively flavoured sauce. Also a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan as well as gluten and wheat-free dishes. Buffet available 12pm–3pm Monday to Saturday. Chaula’s, Eastgate House, 6 Eastgate Street, Lewes, BN7 2LP, 01273 476707, www.chaulas.co.uk
Chaula’s Brighton A second venue for this brilliant Indian restaurant is now open here in Brighton. Superb regional dishes, fresh tasting and exciting. Chaula and her team breathe fresh air into the idea of Indian food with authentic recipes served in bright and stylish surroundings. The cooking is executed with a light touch too, no heavy ghee-based sauces here but an altogether healthier approach – but not at the cost of flavour. Both delicious and affordable. Thali Deals available 12pm-3pm; Meal Deal for £9.99. Chaula’s, 2–3 Little East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HT, 01273 771661, www.chaulas.co.uk
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ITALIAN Donatello Flagship venue of this local family-run business serving excellent Italian food in stylish surroundings. Brilliant value meal deals on blackboards – two courses £7.95 or three for £9.95 – as well as à la carte. The haunt of celebs in season from soap stars to politicos. Fun, friendly and fabulous value. Donatello, Brighton Place, Brighton, BN1 1HJ 01273 775477, www.donatello.co.uk
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BRIGHTON SCIENCE FESTIVAL DRUGS SHOCK Children as young as six seen manufacturing drugs in school, helped by their parents lympic successes are mind-boggling. Hear about them from gold medallist Tim Foster and Professor David Cowan, dope tester-in-chief at the 2012 Olympics, Tuesday 23rd February, at Doping For Gold. For over forty years there was a blanket ban on psychedelic drugs. Now, with the development of MRI scans, research of psychedelics could reveal the hidden depths of the mind. Dr Robin Carhart-Harris is the first person in the UK to have legally administered doses of LSD
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Taking drugs
since 1971. He’ll be discussing it on Big Science Sunday 28th February. But if you want a real high, take a trip to Pluto! The New Horizons fly-by Getting very high was out of this world – 4,670,000,000 miles out of this world. It and the Rosetta mission were triumphs of human endeavour and creativity. They’ll be showing how it’s done on Saturday 27th February at ‘Because It’s There!’. Check out the full Big Science weekend’s programme (February 27-28) at www.BrightonScience.com. You can also find out more about the FREE displays, including more drug manufacturing (medicinal again) as well as snail racing (No, not a hallucination).
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015_LS767_Nathaniel_Layout 1 19/02/2016 11:32 Page 1
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS IT'S A BRILLIANT TRANSFORMATION, AND RATELIFF IS ENJOYING IT, AS HE TELLS JEFF HEMMINGS ive years ago, Rateliff appeared on Jools Holland, accompanied by just an acoustic guitar and a singer, performing one of his many folk-based numbers that he was developing a small following for. Standing still, but delivering the song in alternatively hushed tones and mighty growls, Rateliff looked and sounded hugely impressive, a tattooed bear of a man who looked at home in any bar or pub. But things weren't working out the way he hoped them to, despite the fact that he could hold an audience in quiet rapture. He had released ‘In Memory Of Loss’ the year before, which had garnered many great reviews, but by the time of the follow up, ‘Falling Faster Than You Can Run’ in 2013, he had been dropped by his label, and he had to independently release the album, which only gained a limited release here in the UK. But, roll on to 2016, and suddenly Rateliff is everywhere. This former missionary worker has miraculously transformed himself into a high energy soul and r’n’b singer, backed up with a six-piece band that provides a tremendously powerful Stax meets Motown sound. His fortunes have quickly reversed, on the turn of a dime as it were... “A lot more people like this” says Nathaniel, matter of faculty, over the line from Denver, his home town. “After touring a bunch as a singer songwriter – I love playing acoustic guitar, I was just tired of everyone else playing it – I had finished ‘Falling Faster Than You
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Can Run’, I didn’t have a label, which was discouraging... “I had wanted to do a soul, r’n’b thing for a long time, so I tried to write some songs after a friend of mine had suggested it. It kind of happened, it felt like a natural development.” Indeed it did. From the solemn, heart-onsleeve pensive acoustic of the old Nathaniel Rateliff, to the hollering, whooping and dancing
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of Nathaniel Rateliff mark II, there aren't many examples of artists suddenly finding their voice, in a way almost unrecognisable from before, and transforming their fortunes. Maybe someone like Marc Bolan perhaps, who quickly transformed Tyrannosaurus Rex from the hippy folk sound of the late 60s into a massive glam rock juggernaut of T-Rex? Or, God bless them, Status Quo, who ditched the psychedelia for their nononsense brand of rock'n'roll boogie in almost one fell swoop? Even Bowie, perhaps, losing the quirky, and pretty dire, music hall eccentricity of his 1967 debut album, and embracing something altogether different soon after... "What I wanted to do was have the energy of Otis Redding, which is hard, because I’m not in very good shape, mixed with a southern twangy sound. You need energy and the right amount of drinks, which is just a couple. Everybody in the band has a different poison, but mine is bourbon and water.” It's not that Rateliff has completely ditched his previous line of work; there are still plenty of examples of the more downbeat rootsy sound on the
2015 Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats album, but it's been mixed up with a number of high voltage Stax-like stompers that are now the staple of his live show. Yeah, for sure, people like folksy acoustic. But when its done the Nathaniel Rateliff way, people simply cannot get enough of the stompers. As fate would have it, Stax the label was re-activated in 2004 via its parent company, Concord Records, whom Rateliff subsequently signed to: “I was with a label who I didn’t know were working with Stax, but I found out they owned the Stax imprint, and I was like, ‘I think you could put this record out through Stax, it would be pretty apt, a southern soul sound.’" They did, and now Rateliff has joined a long list of legends, including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & the M.G’s and Isaac Hayes, who have been on the label. “The first gig we did with the Night Sweats was a little over two years ago, at a venue here in Denver. Somebody asked me to do a show, and I agreed, so I scrambled to get together a band, and it worked out. I think we had only 30 minutes of material, but it was really exciting to play that music for the first time. Everyone was hollering, and I started doing dance moves, and people loved it. It was pretty hilarious. “Back then I’d just be standing still at shows, but now I’m dancing and moving around. There’s a lot of hip movement. I danced at the first Night Sweats show and immediately people went crazy. I thought ‘I’ve loved to dance for years, I should have done this a long time ago!’” Thanks to their rowdy gigs, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are the live act on everyone's lips. Even Britney Spears is in on the act. Recently she used one of Rateliff's songs to dance to on Instagram, tagging him in... Rateliff responded by donning a bra and a blond wig and doing his own moves... And last October they played Patterns. This March they are playing Concorde 2 (sold out months ago). This Autumn they play the Brixton Academy, with its near 5,000 capacity. Oh, how the mighty have risen! Concorde 2, Mon 7 March. SOLD OUT
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016_LS767_guy_joe_Layout 1 19/02/2016 14:10 Page 1
GUY THOUGHTS GUY LLOYD
ENTERTAINMENT JOE FULLER
In light of recent celebrity deaths, Guy discusses the cycle of life
Revolution and virtuoso musicianship from the London Philharmonic Orchestra
ell January was very January wasn’t it? It’s never been a favourite on the calendar but with the high-profile celebrity deaths this last month, it was a gloomy start to 2016. It gave us more reason to hate it. Poor January. It’s like Mondays. You can always rely on a good death on a Monday and of course, it was a Monday when we woke to find out that David Bowie had died, without doubt the biggest celebrity death of the month and will probably be for the year. Unless the Queen croaks it. Although, to me, she could never topple Bowie. That was swiftly followed by Alan Rickman dying and just as we wished January away, off popped Terry Wogan before we could say, “blankety blank.” Reading social media and the outpouring of grief in all those circumstances, it read like an endless stream of death, with people speculating, “who’s next?”. Well I hate to break this to you but death is all around. It’s happening all the time. It might not be a famous person but just as we are welcoming new faces in, we’re waving old faces off. And this will continue, until our time is up. Yes, you and me. We’re going to die. Sorry, I didn’t want to have to tell you this way but that’s the way it is. Were the three high-profile deaths really that shocking this month though? I mean, yes, don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t a classic month for living but if you are my generation (forties but look ten years younger), we’re moving in to that realm. It only seems like yesterday that I was trying to avoid all the weddings happening. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good wedding but the frequency of weddings was not conducive with my suit collection (I have The frequency one). of weddings Now, ten years on, I would kill for a wedding. was not I’m even considering conducive with renewing my vows, just to my suit collection experience a wedding atmosphere again. My (I have one) reality at the moment is illness, deaths and funerals. It’s happening with alarming regularity and I’m guessing that’s only going to get worse. It’s a harsh reality of life, where once we sent and received birthday cards from our loved ones, we’re going to hit a stage where we are burying them. What a depressing thought. But that’s life and death, is it not? I bought some flowers for me wife the other week (I was in the dog house). They were beautiful. They are now in the kitchen, wilting, withering and slowly dying. We all are, in our own way. This may all sound dark and a bit harsh but I think if we were more accepting of the inevitable in this country and this culture, we wouldn’t be in so much shock when death finally arrives. It’s the cycle of life. And as much as you may peddle forward, head bowed, oblivious to your own mortality, sooner or later, you’re going to come off. Apologies, if you were hoping for a feel-good blog. Next time, I promise I’ll talk about kittens.
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he London Philharmonic are putting on a brave concert of melodic modern music this Saturday, and here's to hoping the hall will be packed. There is always a fear of smaller audience numbers when an orchestra omits the old greats from the bill but these thrilling composers are accessible, well known, and also really really good. There are £10 tickets available too so I cannot recommend this fantastic, entertaining internationally acclaimed orchestra and Stravinsky is programme highly the Radiohead enough for a lovely night out. of classical music Saturday Aram Khachaturian loved to create music “where virtuoso soloists can compete cheerfully with a full symphony orchestra”. For his violin concerto he was inspired by young Russian violinist David Oistrakh, who described the piece as “witty, full of melodic beauty and oriental colour”. The premiere saw Shostakovich and Prokofiev in the audience. The piece is an entertaining showcase, and you can hear Oistrakh himself perform the piece on YouTube to get a flavour for it. Kristóf Baráti will play violin on the night, who is renowned for a “buttery beauty of tone” by Fanfare, so the playing should sound sumptuous. Macbeth from Richard Strauss is a tone-poem, a form I love since they are evocative, varied pieces that conjure images and impressions with soundscapes as opposed to following formal symphonic reasoning. We get turbulence and torment in Macbeth himself and sexy, alluring power illustrating Lady Macbeth. The ending is brutal and tragic, truly invoking the spirit of the Bard. If there is one totemic figure of 20th century music that both critics and the public can get behind, it is Stravinsky. The divergence of popular taste, revolution and innovations is fascinating (I'm reading ‘The Rest Is Noise’ at the moment which is an eloquent, enthralling read) but I love it when the three can meet. Consider Stravinsky then The Beatles or the Radiohead of classical music. The Firebird is a beautiful piece with sadness, light, striking orchestral effects, and plenty of stunning moments. The LPO will play a concert suite that features parts of the ballet and still follows the story and emotional drive of the full original piece. ‘The Infernal Dance of King Kashchei and his Subjects’ for example is broodingly ominous, whereas the Lullaby is a slower, more emotional movement featuring languid woodwind and hypnotic strings. This leads into a glorious brassy finale. It's epic, exciting stuff and I can't wait. Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, Saturday 27 February, 7.30pm, £10-£32.50, 01273 709709 and www.brightondome.org
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017_LS767_STAGE_Layout 1 19/02/2016 14:09 Page 1
STAGE ANDREW KAY Laurie Anderson Photo: Tom Oldham
FIFTY!
A major anniversary and a hugely entertaining programme for the Brighton Festival 2016 t's the 50th anniversary of the Brighton Festival, and my 30th year of attending a huge number of performances and events. I'm a huge fan as the broad canvas on which it makes its marks appeals to so many of my creative loves. I have also repeatedly heard over the years complaints from people that the whole affair is elitist and high brow. Maybe in the past that was in part true but I Spymonkey know that in recent years this has been far from the truth. Firstly one needs to acknowledge that this an arts eager to see a number of new works and especially festival and therefore one must expect arts in their many the emphasis on works created by Brighton based and various forms. That said one must also expect to find artists and musicians. entertainment too, entertainment of all kinds from the Top of my list will be a new collaboration between popular to the intellectually demanding. I see that in Tim Crouch and Spymonkey, creative forces that have creating the programme the festival team seek to find a in the past thrilled me with the excellence of their balance in this and if I have any criticism it would be in work. This new piece, which reflects on the 400th being able to recognise the fun and popular events in the anniversary of the death of Shakespeare is called The brochure. The stylish cool design and well written Complete Deaths and they will be portraying all of editorial might not reveal in an easy way that there will be Liz Agiss, Photo: Joe Murray those deaths on stage in under two hours – all 74 of lots of fun to be had. I realise that it's a tough call to get them. It will no doubt be funny but expect to be challenged too by that balance right, but persevere with that brochure for in its depths the work of these quite brilliant artist/performers. you will find a huge number of things to appeal to all tastes and to all I am also looking forward to seeing the powerhouse of modern pockets. performance/dance that is Liz Agiss. Her show Slap and Tickle is It's not all city centre based either with events in Whitehawk, billed as a dark and ribald physical commentary on cultural mores Portslade and Hollingbury. and sexual taboos, well I would expect no less and know that I will Nor is it all aimed at an adult audience, there's plenty for the family come away once again delighting in this most extraordinary of and for kids and the annual 26 Letter part of the festival is a triumph talents. of inclusivity for young people and writing. I often think that I would There's circus too, but this time for adults and as Andrew Comben have loved to be lucky enough to have had such a delicious array of says "nudity, kit off!". That's a must see then. things to attend when I was a kid. Music is as ever of the highest international standard with This year's guest director is Laurie Anderson, a musician and everything from popular through world to classical. I direct you performance artist from America who came to public attention with a especially to the lunchtime concert programme which is always surprise pop hit way back in time. Her pop stardom belied the truth packed with brilliant musicians and with tickets pitched at a very that she was a performance artist at heart but that artistry has often reasonable £10, far less than one would be expected to pay to see disguised the fact that she has, as Festival Chief Executive Andrew many of these excellent musicians in other venues. Comben says, a wry sense of humour. This year her delightful film Then there's the free stuff and there is as always plenty of it. Seek it Heart Of A Dog will most certainly demonstrate that, her ability to be out and join in the joyous fun that is Brighton Festival, three weeks of provocative, inspiring and entertaining too. art and entertainment with something, one hopes, to suit all tastes. The theme this year is Home. It will be a thread linking much of the For full details pick up a brochure or go to www.brightonfestival.org programme but I suspect not all of it – and who cares. I am already
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018_LS767_comedy/music/chart_Layout 1 19/02/2016 10:55 Page 1
MUSIC JEFF HEMMINGS
LATEST MUSIC CHART
Turin Brakes: Survivors of the New Acoustic movement are enjoying a renaissance
'm pretty happy, we are in the album charts today," says lead singer and songwriter Ollie Knight, who along with childhood friend Gale Paridjanian, formed Turin Brakes in South London in 1999. They signed to a Brighton based label and played their first ever gig at the legendary Freebutt, before signing to a major label in time for the release of their genre defining The Optimist LP in 2001. Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, it spawned a few minor hits, while Painkiller, from their biggest selling follow up album Ether
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Song, made number five. But the good times didn't last... "We did the classic label arch of going from being a priority act, doing really well, to one that was virtually shelved." Dropped by their label after 2007's Dark on Fire, the band signed to renowned indie label Cooking Vinyl, whom they've been with ever since. And their new album, Lost Property, their seventh so far, is taking them back to where they were in the early days, with chart success and daytime radio play back in their lives. "The general reaction has been amazing. Its been one of those weeks! We've become experts at carrying on regardless, so when something like this does happen, it's like OMG, all those things that felt quite far fetched, even just a couple of weeks ago,
are happening. It's lovely after working pretty hard for ten years and getting some reward." Of course, Turin Brakes never went away in the first place; Knight's songwriting ability, the chemistry of the band as a whole, with the same bassist and drummer since their debut album, and the fact that what goes round, comes around, has worked in their favour. They have kept their loyal fanbase, and are finding many new fans. The hard work has finally worked in their favour. Brighton has always been very close to the hearts of Turin Brakes. And they are really looking forward to rekindling their relationship with the place as part of an extensive UK tour. "We trust each other," says Olly. "There's a four piece chemistry, that is undeniable." Concorde 2, Wed 2 March, 7.30pm, £20
Latest Brighton Download Chart
TOP 20 Another week and another great music chart for you! Listen online to get your favourite to the top and to submit your own tracks.
1 K.G Fly 2 The Black Fields The Fighter 3 The Speak Flowers 4 The Lounge Crusade Ten More Years 5 Rise Of The Ziggurat Legacy 6 Bgredcap, Legs MC, Mr resonate & N. Laine Hip hop genetics 7 STRANGERS FROM BIRTH AIRBORNE PLANKTON STORM
COMEDY VICTORIA NANGLE
8 12 Stone Toddler Under The Weather
Celebrate the solo stand-up show olo shows are a different beast from their assembled lineup comedy compadres. As enjoyable as an evening of mixed comics is, creating a taste sensation as spicy one-liners contrast with rich anecdotal laughs, they are always playing to an audience that has come out to see ‘comedy’, rather than people who have arrived to see them specifically. So the solo show is an opportunity to showcase the best of a comedian’s material for an entire hour, with the chance to play the long game. No battling with boisterous stag do’s and drunken revellers here – instead, you hear their individual tone, their drawn out material that’s given room to breath and come to full fruition uninterrupted by the job of fire-fighting hecklers and the limitations of a 20 minute set. Again: it’s a different beast. In town this week there’s a chance to see plenty of solo shows, giving you the full tour of
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Diane Spencer
each comic’s style of humour and the chance to select the ones that tickle your fancy the most. Even if the first one has three of them on a single ticket. Diane Spencer (Chortle Best Newcomer 2011) displays her posh girl persona with ‘inappropriate’ language, sharing the night with cheeky chappie Stephen Bailey (Big Brother’s Bit On The Side), and Laura Lexx (Chortle Student Comedy Award finalist and Squawkers finalist) and her cut-glass delivery of always strong material. That’s just Tuesday night at the Caroline Of Brunswick. On Thursday you’ll find awardwinning comic and familiar face channel 159 or at thelatest.tv
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for fans of TV stand-up Alun Cochrane over at Komedia. His dry sardonic delivery serves up a likeable and thought-provoking storyteller. And the week rounded off nicely by Sean McLoughlin’s turn at Komedia, his slender frame rammed full of angst and skipping about ‘the line’ with the skill of an Irish dancer on the edge of a precipice. Pick one night. Pick several. There’s plenty to take the long ride with, and enjoy the tailored journey. Diane Spencer + Stephen Bailey + Laura Lexx, Caroline Of Brunswick, Tuesday 23 February, 7.15pm, £7/5, carolineofbrunswick.co.uk Alun Cochrane: A Show With A Man In It, Komedia, Thursday 25 February, 8pm, £12.50, www.komedia.co.uk/brighton Sean McLoughlin, Komedia, Friday 26 February, 8pm, £10, www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
10 The Fooley Mantras The Truth 11 CoppaTop Cordial Sunshine 12 onenamedpater Guardian Angel 13 The Mighty Rivals Arise 14 ElectroMud Oh Olivia 15 Asher Fynn Love is A Dependency 16 ULTRALITES Mr Fisher 17 KontraPunkt After The Time 18 Jason Smart Zombie Cider 19 MIGHT Fate 20 Black Nail Confusion Says
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019_LS767_mikeward/reviews_Layout 1 19/02/2016 12:38 Page 1
MIKE WARD AT LARGE
REVIEWS
A KIND VOICE can’t even begin to tell you how thrilled I am that The X Factor isn't being axed. It was touch and go for a while, with talk of ITV's longrunning talent-hunt being "rested" at the very least. And taking it off air would certainly have made sense in many ways – given that, as of next year, ITV will also have rival singing contest The Voice. But a couple of weeks ago the powers-that-be put us out of our misery by issuing an official statement. "Don't worry, folks, The X Factor will drag on into 2017 and beyond," were their very words, more or less. Phew, eh? What a relief etc. But before you start to question my judgment here, or suggest perhaps I've mislaid my marbles, let me add something rather important: I can't stand The X Factor. I really can't. I find it utterly unwatchable. It makes me feel physically sick. OK, maybe that last one is a slight exaggeration. But my point is, this show (which I'll admit I enjoyed for a good many years) has now become truly awful – bloated, bombastic, witless, vain, horrendously selfimportant – encouraging the worst, most narcissistic elements of today's music industry. Even the But here's the thing: I've really come to like its rival show, The rejects Voice. Sneer if you must, but are sent away there's a warmth to The Voice, a in an upbeat positivity, humour and perspective. Its coaches – Paloma frame of mind Faith, Boy George, Ricky Wilson and will.i.am.really.regretting.lumbering.myself.with.this.ridiculous.name, actually seem to care about music itself – not just the unit-shifting potential of those who audition. Almost as important, we're spared all that X Factor nonsense, where the acts (of which The Voice has a refreshingly wide range) must imply this is make-or-break, do-or-die, as if their very lives depend on the verdict of Simon Cowell, Rita Ora, Nick Sure-Is-Grim and Cheryl Whatever-MySurname-Is-This-Week. Even the rejects are sent away in an upbeat frame of mind. Don't give up, they're told. This show is hardly the be-all and end-all. In other words, the opposite of what the X Factor tells people. So why on earth do I want The X Factor to stay? Simple. For as long as it's there, doing what it does, The Voice can carry on doing its own thing. When ITV is running both contests, it'll want them to be as different as possible. Whereas if The X Factor were axed, I could see The Voice, currently so much more likeable, being pressurised to fill the void. And wouldn't that be a crying shame? Oh, don't pretend you don't care. Mike Ward is the TV Critic of the Daily Star and the TV Editor of the Daily Express Saturday magazine. Hear him every Monday afternoon with Guy Lloyd on Brighton’s Juice 107.2 Twitter: @mikewardontv
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25 Years of Reeves & Mortimer: The Poignant Moments Brighton Centre, 14 February 2016, ★★★★★ Initially delayed due to Bob’s triple bypass operation, Mortimer revelled in being on stage and made light of the situation by checking his heart rate as the show went on to check he was ok. The show was mostly made up of characters from the TV shows; Mulligan & O’Hare were as sweet as ever, the Man With The Stick and many more. The Dove From Above heralded one of the show’s most crowd-pleasing moments where an audience member joined the duo for their famous leg rubbing dance. The evening was more than just a highlight reel however, with new bits including stories about nefarious water stealing from Sea World and Puff Daddy fleeing a boat retaining the surreal charm and deft wordplay of classic Reeves & Mortimer. There was a solid hit rate to the gags but the quieter daft moments didn’t translate perfectly to a live setting. Although the improvisation was often funny it did detract from the pace and focus of the show, resulting in an uneven evening that felt a little cobbled together rather than carefully honed. Joe Fuller
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The Glenn Miller Story – Tommy Steele Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, 16 February 2016 ★★★★★ With full West End production values, an A-grade band, top-rate hoofers who can sing too, what is this show doing with a star twice the age Glenn Miller ever reached (40)? Answer: very nicely indeed, thank you! It’s Tommy Steele’s show, and the vibrant younger cast are clearly thrilled to be performing with him. He’ll never look or sound like the great Band Leader, the story is as predictable as a Hollywood biopic, but none of that matters – the music is great, bursting with energy and the charm overflows. The atmosphere in the theatre is as glorious as the tunes. Andrew Connal Gabrielle Aplin Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, 15 February 2016 ★★★★★ At just 23, Gabrielle Aplin already has two albums released and a steady following, with a maturity of performance and song-writing which belays her young years. She brought this to Brighton, where she entertained with haunting acoustic ballads and fun, rocking melodies. Gorgeous lyrics and a stunning voice completed the picture, telling the audience simple but heartfelt stories through her songs while also getting everyone dancing along and having fun. The audience was also treated to a sublime cover of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’. Overall, a great evening, even further enhanced by brilliant support from Hannah Grace and Lewis Watson. Laura Fernandez-Kayne
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