April 17, 2013
B&B, cultural extravaganza and a red panda. Who’d think it in Eastbourne?
Blossoming. The trees and the cultural scene in Eastbourne.
I was lucky enough to be invited to Opera Coast’s Interlude recently and their presentation of The Bitter Tongue of Love as part of the Eastbourne Festival.
As an opera virgin I wasn’t quite sure of what to expect but was enthralled by two hours of passion and power and professionalism, presented by a collection of soloists and led by the captivating pianist Nigel Foster. Bravo Anastasia, for founding and coordinating such a gem and the best of luck with this summer’s workshop.
Last night was farcical, for once intentionally, as Michael Frayn’s comic masterpiece Noises Off rolled from The Old Vic into Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre.
We spent our meander back to the guest house chuckling over various scenes and calamities and will never be able to confront a plate of sardines with the same face again.
Clearly our 5-yearold Raffy doesn’t have a tight conceptual understanding of farce (other than putting his underpants on his head, whilst running around shouting Naked Boy!! at the top of his voice) so theatre life isn’t top of his agenda, but he is a keen fan of Drusillas Park.
No Ordinary Zoo, the headline announces. Indeed. Especially now that Tibao, a red panda, has arrived, ousting some racoons from their enclosure who presumably are less keen to see him than my boy, Raffy. A recommended day out for the family, with the Thomas the Tank Engine train ride, a fiendishly high slide and adventure park unmissable.
The clouds were breaking up outside as I said goodbye to guests this morning and the temperatures rising so perhaps Spring really is here to stay. Who knows what other delights will be revealed for the coming season.