Friendly Brighton 45+

This month, we're reading Suzie's choice, "The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall", by Cathy Hayward. £2.99, 312 pages.

"She loved her mother, but did she really know her?
As their mother Milly lies dying, the four Highdown Hall sisters gather at her bedside. For months, the youngest daughter, Zoe, has cared for Milly in the family home. The older sisters all have homes of their own, so Zoe will inherit the crumbling manor house and continue their mother’s legacy.
But then they read their mother’s will: Zoe is cut out of Highdown Hall entirely—the house goes to her sisters. Zoe is utterly shocked and devastated—did she not know her mother at all?
With tensions rising between the sisters, Zoe begins sorting through Milly’s belongings, trying to find something to help her understand. When she discovers a mysterious iron key that fits no door, she is left only with more questions. What was this terrible secret her mother could never speak about?
As Zoe begins to dig into the past, she tries to hold onto her memories of the mother she loved. But what could have been so devastating that Milly kept silent her whole life? And if Zoe uncovers the truth—will it destroy her forever?"

Use this link to join:-

https://us05web.zoom.us/meetings/89457369264/invitations?signature=UCRKfYBzul69ag008fcAxD9Iesa4GbzoH5hIa2liCmQ

or

Enter code: 894 5736 9264

The passcode, if you need it, is:- gd7m0Z

This is a different kind of "show" - with local anti-whaling campaigners and marine scientists
showing us the beauty of the marine world that surrounds us and
highlighting to us the importance of protecting biodiversity in our seas and oceans.
Tickets are just £10 - please come and support them by booking yours now at:-
https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/catalyst-club-special-strange-seas/

"A Catalyst Club special, with Elissa Philips and Henri Brocklebank.
Dive into an evening of storytelling where orcas rebel, anglerfish steal the spotlight, and the deep sea lights up with bioluminescent magic. This is not your average ocean talk; expect sass, sparkle, and sea creatures with attitude with Elissa Phillips, Director of Incredible Oceans and Henri Brocklebank of the Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Elissa is a voice for the sea and one of today’s most dynamic anti-whaling campaigners. She’s been invited to COP29 to speak on commercial whaling and recently brought human rights into the spotlight while moderating a high-profile panel at the UN Ocean Summit. When she’s not on the world stage, Elissa is on the road with Incredible Oceans, captivating audiences with strange and wonderful ocean stories and inspiring action to protect our blue planet.
Henri will be exploring our coast's least-known complex ecosystem – its stunning kelp forests, and highlighting their plight in the face of trawling and biodiversity loss. "

Join me for what promises to be a hilarious production of Michael Frayn's classic farce, Noises Off!
Bring a lovely summery picnic if it's nice or waterproofs, jumpers and fish'n'chips if it's not - but do come along - this company is brilliant - they did 39 Steps last year and I was crying with laughter at what is normally a tense thriller!
PS BRING A CUSHION - those amphitheatre seats are hard! And bring extra clothes as this is an evening outdoor performance - it will be colder than you think!!

Book your own ticket (£19/£17.50) via the BOAT website at:-
https://www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk/event/noises-off/

NB I'll be collecting £2 Meetup fee (contactless) from attendees.

"The funniest farce ever written! With technical brilliance and split-second timing, Noises Off takes us behind the scenes with a company of actors in a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to the unpredictability of life in the theatre as they rehearse a flop called Nothing On. Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and — of course — flying sardines!
Michael Frayn’s Olivier Award-winning script has been hailed as one of the most side-splitting plays of all time. Now the team behind The Ladykillers, One Man, Two Guvnors, Don’t Dress for Dinner and last year’s smash hit The 39 Steps are bringing it to BOAT in an exuberant new production."

Join me for this unmissable open air performance by the touring theatre company The Rude Mechanicals. For the past 27 years, every year (except 2020!) they devise a new play in the style of Commedia dell'Arte. It really is so different! Except for these 2 nights in Lewes in July, their tour is mostly around rural village greens. This year, we're going to the first of the Lewes performances, set in the beautiful setting of Southover Grange Gardens. And the play this year is based on Chaucer's "The Wife" - should be a real treat!

Doors open at 6, and we plan to be there by about 6.15 to bag a good spot and have plenty of time to eat our picnics and have a natter before the show starts at 7.30. We hope you can join us - it's central, and so really easy for public transport, and there is also a reasonable amount of parking nearby.

Book your own ticket (£25/£24) at:-
https://www.therudes.co.uk/ and don't forget to book tickets for the show at Lewes on Saturday 11th July!

You need to bring one of those collapsible camping chairs that you carry in a cylindrical carry bag over your shoulder. If you bring any other type, they'll make you sit at the back as they block other people's views. If you just bring a picnic rug, you'll get to sit right at the front but you'll be quite uncomfortable by the end - it's a long play!
And bring a picnic, drinks, warm clothing including fleece and maybe a rug or throw - it really gets cold by 10 pm! (I usually bring a hot flask too!



| This season we are celebrating 25 years of touring - The Dressing Book will also be our 30th production! With these milestones being reached we thought we might treat you to a few interesting facts and figures (well we find them interesting anyway!). |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| The Rudes first toured in 1999 and since then we have: |

Given over 1000 performances

Employed 62 (at least) professional actors and musicians.

Performed 480 characters

Produced 29 plays (with one on the way!)

Written 25 original plays - and reworked some of those

Sold over 130,000 tickets

Played 27 different musical instruments

Toured to 3 countries and 10 counties

Pulled our stage over 102,000 miles

and

Used approximately 49kg of make up!" |