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Brighton historian Nicholas Antram’s talk made a passionate case for celebrating four local Brighton architects who created our urban environment. Edmund Scott, whose St. Bartholomew’s Church was declared by Pevsner to be one of the most outstanding examples of ecclesiastical architecture in the world; Thomas Lainson and his two sons as witnessed by the Brighton Synagogue, the Italianate style of the Sillwood Road terraces and the picturesque Royal Alexandra Hospital: Clayton and Black, represented by the swirling turrets of Gwdyr Mansions in Hove; finally, Thomas Simpson and Sons whose legacy remains visible in Brighton schools and public buildings Instructive and entertaining: terrific stuff.
Old Market, 3 March
3/5
Louise Schweitzer

Co-hosted by the lovely Holly Walsh and a foul-mouthed animated box of popcorn, this was definitely an unusual night, featuring a combination of short comic films and live acts. The films included everything from Terry Wogan on the Orient Express to a darkly funny re-edit of Nil by Mouth via the always reliable comic staple; a talking cat. On the live front, Rufus Hound provided a controlled and expertly constructed set and Robert Popper, of Look Around You fame, made a live prank phone call to the Brighton Hilton rounding off this varied and very entertaining evening in excellent fashion.
Duke Of York’s, 25 February
4/5
Simon Plotkin

Now in it’s fourth year, the Brighton Science Festival has matured at a staggering rate. And for nerdy grown-ups and children stuck in adult bodies, Big Science Saturday was the highlight of the two-week geek-fest, offering a packed day of talks, workshops and debates. Lectures offered insights into why anti-depressants don’t work, the problems between science and politics and why music is indispensable to humanity. The debate table, an all-day energetic platform for discussing anything and everything, proved to be the most fun anyone can have with a brain, particularly for the argumentative. A great, geeky day out and definitely one to catch when it comes around again
next year.
Brighton Science Festival, Sallis Benney Theatre, 27 February
4/5
Sarah Lewis

Tweenage mass hysteria can be a frightening thing. The X Factor finalists said the Brighton Centre was louder than Wembley, at a fraction of the size, such was the enthusiasm of the mostly young female audience. Even I, a few decades removed from any Tween, could feel my eyes welling at the emotion of the moment as Jamie Archer, Jedward, Lucy Jones, Danyl Johnson, Stacey Solomon, Olly Murs and wee Joe McElderry took to the stage amongst the pomp and pyrotechnics of the opening number.

This was a massive production throughout, as big as any final night of the TV show itself, with touring host duties taken up by Jeff Brazier – a popular choice with the generation addicted to the pop culture his ex, Jade Goodey, personified. With the realisation of a dream for the eight on stage, the emotion was so raw
it was catching.

The show kicked off properly with Jamie Archer, sporting not one but two of his trademark scarves and going all out with his popular Kings Of Leon cover. The Afro’d singer engaged in a bit of scripted banter with the audience, which they readily lapped up, confirming with volume that Brighton is indeed a party town. Quite whether his idea of a party and theirs – average age 13 – would tally seemed beside the point.

The rest of the first half had us on the edge of our seats as one after another of the finalists came out singly or occasionally in groups, to share what could
be ours, we were told, if we successfully applied this year. Jedward in particular amused all with their still out of sync dancing and enthusiastic shouting and backflips.

I’ve never seen a happier group of people to perform karaoke accompanied by sky dancers and fireworks, and their happiness was contagious.

The point at which the tension changed into something else was when Olly Murs took to the stage. The professionalism in his dances, his connection to the audience and all-round razzle dazzle was palpable. And, when Joe McElderry took to the stage for the last section it was there again. These two will definitely hang around. Thank you to the others for the shared dream.
Brighton Centre 27 February
4/5
Victoria Nangle