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REVIEW: Talking Heads

REVIEW: Talking Heads

By Gary Murray Talking Heads was the name of a series of powerful plays written by Alan Bennett which were broadcast on the BBC in 1988. Each was a monologue from the point of view of a different character. The formidable cast included Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Thora Hird and

View down into a circular parade ground of a fortress with a deep blue sky

A glimpse inside the historic Redoubt Fortress

I joined a public tour of the Redoubt Fortress on the seafront as Eastbourne Borough Council asks the public how they want to see it used if funding allows the historic monument to be reopened. The echoing acoustics of the circular parade ground at the Redoubt provide an intriguing backdrop

A young woman smiling by summer flowers outside a red-painted cafe exterior

“It's about giving people a platform for their talents”

Heidi Jabbari is in her element as she sits chatting in front of Cafe Joon about the power of community and the importance of people coming together. We are surrounded by summer blooms in the planters outside the cafe on Pevensey Road, just east of Eastbourne town centre. She is

REVIEW: The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company

REVIEW: The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company

By Gary Murray After touring all summer, the Rudes bring their show Gentle Harry’s Farm to the Little Big Top tent in Helen Garden at the western end of Eastbourne seafront. And a riotous night it is. This is a revival of a play written by Pete Talbot, first

REVIEW: The Play What I Wrote

REVIEW: The Play What I Wrote

By Gary Murray Morecambe and Wise were possibly the best-loved comedy double act that the UK has ever produced. Their influence can still be seen today through presenters Ant & Dec and comedians Lee Mack, and Reeves and Mortimer. In the 1970s, their Saturday night TV shows were essential viewing

How is the £11.5m Black Robin Farm project shaping up?

How is the £11.5m Black Robin Farm project shaping up?

Work is set to start this autumn on the £11.5 million arts and education centre at Black Robin Farm on the South Downs overlooking Eastbourne. I met Towner CEO and director Joe Hill at the site to hear about his vision for the project – and how he hopes people

Car-free day out: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Car-free day out: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

People are encouraged to travel sustainably and leave the car at home. We own a small car but travel by public transport when we can. We travelled from Eastbourne to Rye Harbour by public transport for a grand day out in a natural coastal environment. How did it go? The

How to create a wildlife pond in three hours

How to create a wildlife pond in three hours

A diverse group of volunteers and wildlife experts – plus a parrot – met recently to dig a pond at the Rooted community allotment in Eastbourne. Volunteer community reporter Liz Magraw explains why and what happened. Creating natural habitats is key to wildlife gardening and to successful organic growing methods. After last

REVIEW: Murder by Misadventure

REVIEW: Murder by Misadventure

By Paul Bromley This is the third and final Summer Playhouse production at the Devonshire Park Theatre. The first two, Strangers on a Train and Bedroom Farce, were a psychological thriller and comedy. Murder by Misadventure, written by Edward Taylor, is harder to characterise by genre: it’s neither a

Tapping into the creative potential of Eastbourne

Tapping into the creative potential of Eastbourne

Creativity can be the perfect outlet to counterbalance everyday routines and traditional work environments. Artistic gatherings are gaining popularity with workshops in collage, sketching, photography, sewing and scrapbooking across Eastbourne. Graphic artist Maja Jones recognised this and launched Creative Eastbourne with an Instagram account just one month ago – very quickly,

REVIEW: Bedroom Farce

REVIEW: Bedroom Farce

By Gary Murray The Summer Playhouse at The Park season at the Devonshire Park Theatre is a series of three plays presented by phil&ben productions using a company of actors in different roles. After the psychological thriller Strangers On A Train, the first in the series, Alan Ayckbourn’

'I have never seen such blatant misuse of public areas: you can hear the drug deals taking place'

'I have never seen such blatant misuse of public areas: you can hear the drug deals taking place'

Open drug dealing and bed bug-infested mattresses being set alight are among the disturbances reported by residents in a seaside square in Eastbourne. They say the practice of people being placed in temporary accommodation from outside the area has led to persistent anti-social behaviour in Wilmington Square, near the Towner

Bomb disposal team carry out controlled explosion in Little Chelsea, Eastbourne

Bomb disposal team carry out controlled explosion in Little Chelsea, Eastbourne

UPDATE: all-clear given by lunchtime after controlled explosion Dozens of residents were evacuated from their homes today in the Little Chelsea area of Eastbourne town centre after an "unidentified liquid" was found in a house. Army bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion this morning, Sussex Police

REVIEW: Strangers On A Train

REVIEW: Strangers On A Train

By Gary Murray Is there such a thing as ‘the perfect murder‘? This question is at the heart of Strangers On A Train, brought to the Devonshire Park Theatre by philandben productions. As they did last year, the company is presenting three plays as part of this season’s Summer