Latest 7 magazine

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish is the most inspiring and remarkable person I have ever witnessed speaking. In an honest interview with Simon Fanshawe, Dr Abuelaish spoke articulately and truthfully about his experiences, and how he believed that Palestine and Israel could find a resolution. Dr Abuelaish is many things: a Palestinian, a doctor, a man who has been determinedly trying to build “a bridge between the two states, not a wall.” A man mentioned as a symbol of hope for the two states in President Obama’s speech and who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; a man who has suffered unimaginable loss: the loss of three daughters and a niece in an Israeli rocket attack, an attack which was broadcast live on Israeli TV and then internationally, minutes after his children’s death. But most importantly, he is a man who refuses, regardless, to hate. In all honesty, the words powerful and inspiring don’t even come close.

28 May, Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome

5/5

Laura Hayward

The final weekend at this year’s Festival saw a few dazzling opening-air spectacles and this piece of aerial theatre in the naturally stunning Wild Park was perhaps the most memorable. The Wired production company paired a tilting, crane-controlled stage (which would later turn completely on its side  to become a screen for projections) with a harsh ecological message to striking effect. Aerial dancers, dangling by wires, interacted with images of storms and nightmare as their bureaucratic world tumbled; though occasionally over-earnest with its clunky message, the image of one of Brighton’s most deprived areas transformed into living, otherworldly art felt truly unique.

Wild Park, Moulescoomb
Saturday 28 May,

Rating:
Nick Aldwinckle

Indie popstar, comedy legend, successful author – what next for Charlie Higson? Writing a series of zombie books designed to scare the living daylights out of the nation’s nippers, of course!

This intelligent and un-patronising lecture began with an erupting volcano 200 years ago and covered Byron, Shelley and Stoker in detail, via the best way to dispense with suspected zombie family members, before concluding that vampires are for girls and zombies for boys.

This entertaining hour ended with a short Q+A that revealed a Flymo was Charlie’s weapon of choice if faced with an attack from the undead.

Sallis Benney Theatre, 28 May
Rating:
Steve Clements

Following up his lunchtime families’ session, incumbent Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne appeared for a second time today in conversation with son Joe, discussing his life and work through their biography Playing the Shape Game. The engaging discourse inevitably leant towards a familial rapport that briefly threatened to exclude the audience, but soon father and son’s relaxed manner drew the listeners in.

Accompanied by dozens of his illustrations (including key pieces from Gorilla, Willy The Wimp and more), the pair spoke openly about Browne senior’s upbringing, his picture book work and his optimistic view of people’s creativity, both young and old.

Sallis Benney Theatre, 28 May
Rating:
Stuart Huggett