Seaford Splash

Arts and cultural events in the Seaford area Music

Picture the scene: in windy gardens and dressed in anoraks, volunteers have been cautiously getting together in their COVID-safe groups to weigh up the possibilities of staging events again. And as I write this in early June we are all hoping against hope that the plans we have made can finally go ahead subject to guidelines. So, arts and culture lovers, here’s a sample of what you can expect this summer. Please let me know what you are putting on, at least a week before Seaford Scene’s deadline, with an image if possible. Art

There’s just time to catch Katy Oxborrow’s Silent Sentinels show at the Crypt Gallery until 3 July. From 16 to 25 July, mother and son Lindy Dunbar and Joseph Davey take over at the Crypt with a collaboration of their lively drawings and thought-provoking paintings. Then Rosemary Drysdale is at the Crypt from 29 July until 3 August with diverse work including mixed media. For details about an exhibition aptly titled Cliffhanger, at South Hill Barn from 7 to 15 August, turn to page 26. Newhaven Festival

The fourth Newhaven Festival opens on 10 July with a performance of the ballet Tom’s Midnight Garden by Frankly Speaking Productions adapted from Philippa Pearce’s classic children’s novel. It can be seen at the bandstand on Denton Island at 12 noon, tickets from Event-brite. Gin, fizz, beer and wine can be sampled at the Bar at the Bandstand event there on 31 July, with sessions from 11.30am until 2pm, 2.30 until 5pm and 5.30 until 8pm, over 18s only, apart from babies in slings or pushchairs, and disability dogs only. The festival will also be embracing Artwave from 11-26 September and the Tidemills Project from 20-26 September, more details in future Seaford Scene issues. Music

Seaford Music Society is hosting the London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble on 11 July. For details go to www.seafordmusicsociety.com Splashpoint Jazz with Sue Richardson is back at The View on Wednesday 14 July at 7pm and Nigel Goss’s band Cushion the Blow will be at South Hill Barn on Saturday 14 August at 5pm. Tickets on the door. Cinema

Seaford Community Cinema welcomes you back with an open air event at Florence House, Southdown Road courtesy of Mairin Colleary. This takes place on Sunday 5 September with gates open at 3pm for the 4pm showing of A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (U) and gates open at 6pm for the 7pm showing of The Greatest Showman (PG) so you can sing along to songs from the Barnum circus story. The season continues at the Barn Theatre in Saxon Lane on Friday 10 September, 7.30pm with Summerland (12) featuring luscious views of Seaford-based countryside in a story starring Gemma Arterton forced to take in a young evacuee during World War Two. On Friday 24 September there’s Minari (12), about a South Korean family who tries its luck in Arkansas, and there’s an opportunity to meet the director on Friday 8 October when Stephen Warbeck will be talking about his comedy The Man in the Hat (12). Other films include The Peanut Butter Falcon (12) and French comedy My Donkey My Lover & I (15). The season closes on Saturday 3 December with a film for Christmas Magic at 6pm, Arthur Christmas (U). Tickets at www.seafordcinema. org, from the Tourist Information Centre or on the door. The programme is subject to COVID guidelines and obtaining film licences. Drama

Seaford Little Theatre is staging Mixed Doubles from 20 to 28 August, with tickets available from 30 July. Mixed Doubles takes the form of eight short plays, each for two characters, written by Alan Ayckbourn, John Bowen, Lyndon Brook, David Campton, George Melly, Alan Owen, Harold Pinter, James Saunders and Fay Weldon. Directed by Garry Fowler and Sue and David Williams, each is an independent play in its own right, with the sequence linked by anti-authoritarian monologues written by George Melly. Find any updates on www.seafordlittletheatre.co.uk.