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Victoria Nangle observes that using our problems in comedy can work to great effect – just don’t expect it to solve them

Everybody’s got issues. If you haven’t got issues you haven’t stepped outside your mother’s front door, and if that’s the case you’ve definitely got major issues and it’s time to call the funny doctors. Off the back of all of these issues we accrue over the years we learn to laugh at our failings and those of our loved ones – to stop us from throttling them in intolerance. A friend of mine, still in shock from the death of a close relative – who was somewhat more than a social drinker – quipped: “Better not cremate him, it’ll blow up half of North London from the fumes alone.” That’s one way to use jokes to dispel our issues. The trick is not to use our issues to dispel our jokes.

“In the cold light of day a comic needs to know their problems and own them – not share them“

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Paul Disney met up with the new director of Pride Lesley Burn, a business woman with a ‘can-do‘ attitude and great sense of fun

Describe yourself.
I am a tolerant, bubbly and a very sparkly person. I love meeting people and I enjoy challenges. On the serious side of things – and this might sound contradictory – I am also a strong business woman who believes in getting the job done.

Why Brighton and Hove?
I had been looking for a job in London after having worked in Scotland for a period of time for the Ladies Golf Union and before that Sport England. My home is Cuckfield in Sussex, and some friends of mine there suggested that I apply for the job with Pride as they knew it would be something I would get my teeth into. I couldn’t wait to come back.

So why did you apply for the role of director for Pride?
This role is truly about making a difference. The core value of the role is about spreading the message from Brighton and Hove’s LGBT communities to the wider world. Also being able to work in an area where you believe in what you are doing is very fortunate – I feel very honoured too.

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Celebrating some of the new stars of the burgeoning underground UK poster scene, Brighton-formed BRAG (British Rock Artists Group) are exhibiting a feast of contemporary screen-printed gig posters at Pelham House in Lewes.

Featuring work by 12 designers, and promoting artists such as Queens of the Stone Age, Iron and Wine, Devo, Ian Brown, British Sea Power and Kylie Minogue(!) all the works are limited edition, handmade silkscreen prints, and are available for sale.

BRAG, Pelham House, Lewes, until 28th April 2008

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Last year’s street party in St James’s Street after Preston Park was one of the highlights of Pride festival

This year’s Village Street Party will take place on the first three days of August. The group of local businesses behind the community event include: Michael Conran and Darren Hulcoop (Aquarium Theatre Bar), Ben Davie (Amsterdam), Dean Holmes (Bulldog), Simon Timpson (White Horse) Nicky Delmage and Gillian Scovell (The PV at Jury’s Out) and Dulcie Danger (DJ).

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