08/12/2019 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Brian Butler takes a look at what Eastbourne’s two theatres have to offer in 2020 and finds musical and dramatic delights to suit every taste.

The south coast is blessed with great theatre – from Worthing through Brighton to Eastbourne and the new season just announced for the Congress and Devonshire Park theatres is no exception.

Beautiful – the musical about singer/songwriter Carole King kicks off at the Congress from 11-15 February featuring such classics as The Locomotion, You’ve Got a Friend, and Natural Woman. Willie Russell’s classic comedy Educating Rita takes to the Devonshire Park stage starring tv’s Stephen Tompkinson from 17-22 February.

Ayckbourn’s classic cringeing domestic comedy Absurd Person Singular gets an airing at the Devonshire Park from 25-29 February( yes it’s a leap year ! )

Beacons , a tale of love,loss and ice-cream , set in Eastbourne , runs at the Devonshire Park from 2-4 March, while over at the Congress New Jersey Nights celebrates the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons ( 5-7 March ). Back at the Devonshire Park on the same dates is an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic Gothic tale Jane Eyre .

In contrast it’s followed by the hit comedy The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson , which takes a sideways look at Boris before Brexit and jumps to 2029 and his years in the future political wilderness. It’s at the Devonshire Park from 9-14 March. TV star Mathew Kelly reprises his role in Alan Bennett’s classy comedy about a meeting between poet WH Auden and composer Benjamin Britten – The Habit of Art – at the Devonshire Park from 18-21 March.

Last of the Summer Wine actress Sarah Thomas stars in a version of Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced at the Devonshire Park from 23-28 March , while at the Congress there’s a new production of The Sound of Music presented by theatrical impresario Bill Kenwright. It’s on stage from 31 March-4 April.

The controversial Lady Chatterley’s Lover based on the D H Lawrence book which was banned from the 1920s to 1960 is at the Devonshire Park on the same dates. Bang Bang a new farce marks the stage-writing debut of the wonderfully funny John Cleese and it runs at the Devonshire Park from 20-25 April.

Direct from the West End comes The Kite Runner a gripping drama about ordinary life in war-torn Afghanistan. It runs from 28 April- 2 May at the Devonshire Park. And Mallory Towers is a new musical based on the children’s books of Enid Blyton. It promises “ high jinks and high drama “, from 19-23 May at the Devonshire Park.

Sprinkled throughout the season are some outstanding one-nighters, including Michael McIntyre, rock and roll legend Joe Brown, and the hit radio programme I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, hosted by Jack Dee. For opera lovers there are performances of both Aida and Carmen and a special celebration of the Chinese New Year is also featured.

Full details of the season at Eastbourne theatres

Letting Go

Kent Hung

The main protagonist Andrew’s outlook has been moulded by a childhood brought up alone by his mother, by his fear of abandonment and by the numerous losses in his life. Like all of us he fears loss, but Hung explores his characters life and the way long trusted way of protective and careful behaviour can let you down and fail when events take am unexpected and seriously challenging turn. Hung’s prose is careful, with a lightness of touch which allows us to understand his characters feelings and also gives us insight into their struggle to find self-acceptable and eventually let go.

In the end this book is about embracing change and putting loss into perspective and moving on. But when change is the only constant, what needs to be held close and what can be let go?

Out now £8.99