VICTORIAN FESTIVAL PROGRAM OF EVENTS
21ST TO 26TH September 2010
Throughout the Week
Children’s Victorian art exhibition at various sites throughout the town.
Paintings and drawings of talented local children with their refreshing, imaginative recreation of Victorian times.
Victorian Photographic Exhibition at Eastbourne Library
Visit the Central Library in Grove Road to see a splendid display of Victorian photographs
Waterstones’s Victorian Authors and Book Events
Throughout the week watch out for this literary festival with a number of prominent authors with interest in the Victorian era.
Victorian jewellery display at Brufords.
See the splendid window display of Victorian Jewellery at this eminent town centre establishment
‘Nine town walks’ publication
Find out all about Eastbourne’s treasures with these illustrated easy to follow walks available at the Tourist Information Centre, The Heritage Centre, the Library and town book shops.
Girl Guides 100 year exhibition at the Heritage Centre
This heart-warming exhibition celebrates the Girl Guides movement from its origins to the present day. The display is sure to rekindle memories for former Guides and Rangers, as well as encourage would be Brownies to get involved. The Heritage Centre in Carlisle Road
just opposite the Winter Gardens is open daily from 2pm to 5pm throughout the Festival
Tuesday 21st September
Winter Garden Light Fantastic.
Once again the redoubtable musical talents of Mr Chris Mannion will be on display, as the suitably attired dancers twirl and whirl around one of the most delightful dance floors of Victorian Eastbourne.
Tickets for dance and refreshments £5.00 at the Congress Theatre box office on 01323 412000; The Tourist Information Centre, Cornfield Road; or at the venue on the day
The Winter Garden, Compton Street, 2pm to 5pm
Town walk with Richard Crook
Eminent local architect Richard Crook shows you round the wonders of Eastbourne’s Victorian cultural centre. Admire the hotels, Winter Gardens, theatres, Bandstand and houses. This Victorian wonderland is not to be missed.
Meet by the large flagpole, Bandstand (road side), 5.30pm
The lasting legacy of Victorian Music
Robin Gregory, an established broadcaster and an authority on operetta and musical theatre, enlightens us about the lasting bequest of Victorian Music. Ably assisted by his wife Ann, Robin will illustrate the musical legacy of an era of music which will surely enthrall us. Tickets £5.00 at the Congress Theatre box office on 01323 412000; The Tourist Information Office, Cornfield Road; or at the theatre on the day.
The UnderGround Theatre, Grove Road, 7.30pm
Wednesday 22nd September
The story behind Punch and Judy.
Learn all about the history of Punch and Judy at a performance at Sunrise Senior Living on the Willingdon roundabout. Take tea in sumptuous surroundings. Booking Essential so call 01323 525000 for free entry
Sunrise Senior Living, Willingdon Roundabout, 3pm
The Heritage of Victorian Photographers in the 21st Century
Distinguished historian and photographer, Michael Kaye shows
how modern photography owes much to its Victorian roots. A fascinating talk for both the cognoscenti and budding photographers alike. Tickets £5.00 on the door on the day
The Heritage Centre, Carlisle Road, 4.30 pm
Eastbourne’s Victorian Pier
Opened in 1870, the Pier has a fascinating history involving storms, entertainment and fun for the masses. With one of the few remaining working ‘Camera Obscura’, a theatre that housed the Clarkson Rose and Sandy Powell shows for many years, a beautifully sprung dance floor and a fascinating history, Richard Crook will reveal all in a ‘not to be missed’ talk. Tickets £6.00 from the box office at the Congress Theatre on 01323 412000: from the Tourist Information Office, Cornfield Road; or at the theatre on the night.
Underground Theatre, Grove Road, 7.30 pm
Thursday 23rd September
Punch punches Judy.
This year this notable educational establishment is offering to entertain children, parents and visitors to the grand guignol that is Punch and Judy. A Victorian tea is promised for all attendees. Entry free
St Andrew’s School, Meads, 3.30 pm
Tour of the Town Hall
For 364 days a year the Town Hall hides from the prying eyes of the outside world. But on this one day, you are invited by the Mayor and senior officers to accompany them on a tour of this splendid Victorian Architectural edifice. Entry Free
The Town Hall, Grove Road, 5.30 pm
Tell me a story
The Kings Arms, Seaside is a glorious Victorian Venue for one of the Festival’s more intriguing and delightful evenings. Your hosts at the Victorian House Party are the Eastbourne Storytellers. Prepare to smile a smile or shed a tear. Entry free The King’s Arms Pub, Seaside, opposite Christ Church, 7.30pm
Friday 24th September
The Witty Wanderer
Join John Surtees, the purveyor of rib-tickling jokes and doyen of guides to our fair town, as he takes you on an informative and amusing stroll through some of the more fascinating corners of Meads. Entry Free
Helen Gardens, near St Bede’s School, Meads 2.30pm
Fellowship with Dickens
Charles Dickens pays another visit to Eastbourne in the collective persona of the Dickens Fellowship. This 109 year old association of Dickensophiles invites you to share a cup of tea and enjoy their renditions of some of the great man’s more compelling episodes’
Tickets £4.00 on the door on the day.
The Heritage Centre, Carlisle Road, 3.30pm
Britannia rules the Waves. Tales of the Sea and our great seafaring nation.
Roy Patrick presents Two performances of an anthology about the time in Queen Victoria’s long reign when Britain ruled much of the world through its sea power.
With star studded support from Bill Allison, Elaine Montgomery, Eileen Anson, Ian Clegg and Roy Patrick.
Tickets £7.00 at the Congress Theatre Box Office on 01323 412000: The Tourist Information Centre, Cornfield Road; or at the Theatre on the day.
The Underground Theatre, Grove Road, 2.30 pm and 7.30pm
Saturday 25th September
The Vic Dip
` The Langham Hotel is the scene of this Festival’s most extraordinary event for charity. The local hospice children will be the beneficiaries of the Victorian Swimmers braving the waves to the East of the Pier. Meet at the last surviving Victorian bathing hut. Cameras and donations welcome. Entry Free
Opposite the Langham Hotel, Royal Parade, 11am
Victorian Cycle event
To coincide with the BIG DIP watch out for suitably clad Ladies and Gentlemen parading along the seafront from the Harbour to Fishermen's Green on the cycle path before joining the road to arrive at the Langham Hotel for 11am
Childrens craft event at Eastbourne Library
Children are welcome to a morning of Victorian crafts and atmospheric stories for this event which will take place at Eastbourne Central Library Grove Road. Entry Free. Eastbourne Library, 10.30 am to 12pm
QUEEN VICTORIA arrives in Eastbourne
Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria will arrive at our Victorian Station to be greeted by the Mayor, the Station Master, a lone piper, a host of dignitaries including friends of Charles Dickens and a choir from Parkland Junior School and another school who will serenade the Queen. Thereafter the Royal Party will process up Grove Road (weather permitting) to a private reception in the Town Hall.
Her Majesty, after taking suitable refreshments, will depart for All Saints Chapel in a Caffyn’s venerable open top car.
Entry Free
Eastbourne Station, 1.45 pm
Listen to the Band
Some of the stirring marches which inspired our troops to feats of derring-do can be heard this afternoon at the Bandstand on the Promenade. This concert features the award winning talents of the internationally renowned Horsham Borough Band with their brilliant uniforms and military precision. Tickets available on the gate £3.75 for adults and £2.00 for Children. Eastbourne Bandstand, The Promenade, 3.00 pm
Spinning Zoetrope Family drop in workshop.
Discover how the Victorians made pictures move! Make your soldier march and salute in the spinning Zoetrope. Drop in to the Redoubt Fortress and Military museum for this fun event for children of all ages. Ticket £2.00 per child on the door
Redoubt Fortress, and Military Museum, Royal Parade, 1pm to 4pm
The Festival Choir at All Saints Chapel
Once again there is a glorious, patriotic concert at this most Victorian of architectural gems, All Saint’s Chapel in Meads.
By kind permission of Berkeley Homes, the Chapel will resound to the music of our own massed renowned choir and distinguished soloists at one of the highlights of this year’s Festival. Queen Victoria has kindly agreed to grace this exciting performance. Tickets £6.00 available from the box office at the Congress Theatre on 01323 412000; the Tourist Information Centre, Cornfield Road; or at the Chapel on the afternoon.
All Saints’ Chapel, Darley Road, Meads. 4pm
Palace of Varieties at the ROYAL HIPPODROME
Queen Victoria graces this gala performance of a cornucopia of music, dance, comedy and melodrama in one of Britain’s loveliest Victorian theatres. All done at enormous expense. Don’t miss this heart-warming joyful, enlivening and generally naughty music hall. Bring your lustiest tonsils and your heartiest claps for this undoubted highlight of the Festival. Under the direction of ‘Sir’ David Buck and Master of Ceremonies, Michael Kaye, join Her Majesty for an evening of sheer unadulterated pleasure.
Leave your inhibitions at home!
Tickets £10.00 at the Congress Theatre Box Office on 01323 412000; The Tourist Information Centre, Cornfield Road, or at the Theatre on the night.
The Royal Hippodrome, Seaside, 8 pm
Sunday 26th September
Tours of the Devonshire Park Theatre.
This most glorious Victorian Theatres is celebrated by a distinguished group of supporters who will show you the wings, back stage and will, if loudly encouraged, perform for your entertainment. Tours start at 10am and will take place at 30 minute intervals to 4pm (last tour 3.30pm).Theatre bar open for refreshments. Tickets for tours are available at £2 at the Theatre on the day.
Devonshire Park Theatre, Compton Street, 10am to 4pm
Rowing Rivalry in the Harbour in aid of the RNLI
It has long been customary for the friendly rivalry between Eastbourne and Bexhill-on-Sea to be expressed in the form of a rowing race on the waters of Eastbourne. The race will be the high point of the harbour-based regatta in support of the RNLI. To be viewed from the harbourside. Entry Free but donations to the RNLI gratefully welcomed.
Harbour 11am
Harvest Songs of Victorian Praise
St Saviour’s and St Peter’s is another of our glorious Victorian churches and visitors and parishioners alike are invited to this special event. Enjoy the wonderful acoustics, the hymns and the recitations at this magnificent church. Entry Free
St Saviour’s and St Peter’s, South Street, 3.30pm
Gilbert and Sullivan; A Musical Celebration
To bring our Festival to an appropriate and glorious conclusion, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society bring you a joyous selection of the music and lyrics of Gilbert and Sullivan, the very essence of Victorian entertainment. Come and sing your hearts out.
Tickets £7.00 from the box office at the Congress Theatre on 01323 412000; from the Tourist Information Office, Cornfield Road; or at the thetre on the night
The Underground Theatre, Grove Road, 7.30 pm
Owen Boydell
Event Organiser
Tara House 43 Upland Road Eastbourne BN20 8ER
Tel 01323 721825 email <mailto:owenboydell@talktalk.net>
Victorian and other building access. Sadly The Heritage Centre, the Underground Theatre, some aspects of the Town Hall visits and parts of our walks/parades are not suitable for the disabled. Best to check beforehand.