ON STAGE

Was it Miss Scarlet in the Billiard Room?

Who needs the West End when there’s so much great theatre popping up in our ‘hood this month?! Up first Cluedo at the Theatre Royal, Brighton, starring Michelle Collins, from 13 – 18 June. This comedy thriller is directed by Mark Bell, (The Play That Goes Wrong) so you should be in for a comic treat. Plus did you know the house that inspired Cluedo, is in fact in our very own Rottingdean!

School of Rock hits the The Hawth in Crawley 13-18 June, the global hit musical based on the iconic movie starring Jack Black. Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, and a band of insanely talented kids that play live every show. Let’s rock!

If the weather is kind there is no greater place than the Open Air Theatre in Brighton. Enjoy an eclectic programme throughout June including performances as diverse as Shakespeare, live comedy through to kid’s favourites David Walliams and Horrible Histories.

Plus, still time to catch Murder on the Orient Express, which finishes its run at the Chichester Theatre on 4 June.

ART EVENTS

Ballet fans will love the reimagining of a lost 18^thcentury French Ballet des Porcelaines – The Teapot Prince based on an Orientalist fairy tale about a sorcerer who transforms people into porcelain. Catch this special event at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton 19-21 June when the Music Room at the iconic venue will be turned into a dazzling performance space.

Channel your inner Kahlo with an Outdoor Art Workshop on 3 June (plus additional dates later in the year), at Petworth. Learn different drawing and watercolour techniques with experts and enjoy the stunning gardens.

Combine a lovely walk with eye-catching art at the Sculpture Society Trail at Standen, 24 June – 24th July. Visitors can discover sculptures made from everything from bronze to resin, glass, metal, and ceramic hidden within the 2 acre hillside garden, plus if anything really takes your fancy its all for sale!

Join art expert Charles Saumarez-Smith for an enlightening talk ‘The Rise of the Private Gallery’ at Newlands House, in Petworth followed by lunch at the very stylish E. Street Bar & Grill nearby.

Out and about in Selsey? Make discoveries as you travel through time and see a whole new side of the town by following their Seal Art Trail with statues of the marine mammal decorated by talented art students from Chichester College.

Nathan Coley, I Don’t Have Another Land, 2022. photo: Keith Hunter

The Nathan Coley installation at Charleston (above) is still hitting the headlines, so see what all the fuss is about for yourself as it’s on until August.

MUSICAL HAPPENINGS

Kicking off the summer fun is a hat-trick of music and giddy-up glee at Goodwood Racecourse with their Racing & DJ’s Three Friday Nights. With award-winning Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ, Greg James on 3 June, followed by Queen of the Radio Annie Mac on 10 June and King of Ibiza, Carl Cox on the wheels of steel on 17 June. Race you there!

Dust off that tricorn hat and dig out the kids’ face paint as Prince Charming himself Adam Ant is at the Brighton Centre on 24 June. Dont’cha ever?

If you’re more of an indie kid catch ex-Charlatan Tim Burgess and his floppy hair at Komedia in Brighton, 5 June or Badly Drawn Boy at Concorde in Brighton on 30 June.

Elvis Costello is also appearing in Brighton on 5 June at the Dome and then heads to the De La Warr in Bexhill on 2 June for a special Q&A event. While the raspy voiced Macy Gray is in town at the De La Warr too on 3 June, as part of the Rye International Jazz Festival.

FOODIE

Toast our wonderful Queen with a sumptuous Al Fresco Jubilee Lunch on 5 June at The Star in Alfriston. The award-winning pub will be central to the celebrations in the village where the High Street will be closed to encourage browsing in the much-loved indie shops including Much Ado Books, antiques & fabrics from Diana Kelly and vintage clothing from Emmett & White. There is also a competition for the best homemade Jubilee hat to be judged by Alex Polizzi.

Also celebrating the Jubilee are Albourne Wine Estate with themed Afternoon Teas on 4 & 5 June. Enjoy a glass of their excellent sparkles as you toast HRH and enjoy the views across the vines.

Head to Hastings on 26 & 26 June for the Midsummer Fish Festival, with live music and local produce (including Muddy fave the BBQ Project). It’s the Plaice to be!

If like Muddy melted cheese and wine is your staple diet, head down to the lovely Albourne Estate on 24 June (plus additional dates), for the Specs & Bear Pop-Up. The team will serve mouth-watering hot gooey raclette cheese (dribbles), over crispy rosemary roasties layered with beef or vegan chilli and a choice of homemade toppings, all from the hatch of a converted vintage horsebox! Might need to rein us in (sorry).

To celebrate English Wine Week The Curlew in Bodiam, East Sussex, is hosting a special dinner with Sussex vineyard Rathfinny on 23 June. Chef Will Devlin and brand ambassador, Richard James will pair together Sussex ingredients with local wines. We’ll drink to that!

OUT & ABOUT

June is the perfect month to be outside so enjoy a tour of this picture perfect Rose Garden at glorious Nymans, which is open late until 8pm every Friday in June. Take a picnic and enjoy the bloomin’ gorgeous displays in the (hopefully) warm evenings.

Herstmonceux Castle is the host for the Herstmonceux Plant Fair on 26 June. Enjoy the stunning grounds and pick up some green gingered fun.

Help yourself become more mindful with relaxing Forest Bathing workshops at Sheffield Park & Garden, various dates through June.

Leonardslee Gardens near Horsham, is holding some lovely outdoor events this month including the Floral Fringe Fair, 4-5 June and a dance performance of The Secret Garden on 18 June. Read our feature on everything to do at this stunning Sussex spot here.

FAMILY

Who doesn’t love messing about on the river? Get the kids involved and hire a Canoe, Kayak or Paddleboard from Pulborough Paddles to explore one of the most beautiful and calm sections of the River Arun. Happily their launch site is also right next door to one of Muddy’s favourite pubs The White Hart for a slap-up lunch afterwards. Win Win!

Kids Art Workshops, on 12 June (and other dates in July & August) at the De La Warr in Bexhill are a great way to keep the little ones busy. A series of three workshops led by the Babes in Arms Collective working in different mediums. This session focusses on 3-D making and will offer a chance for creativity and fun.

Prefer to be entertained with some stand-up? Get down to the Kids Comedy Club at Chichester Minerva Festival Theatre, 12 June. Promising some head-lining laughs, just with all the rude bits taken out.

Who doesn’t love the Gruffalo? If you and your brood haven’t seen the Julia Donaldson classic live you’re in for a treat as it heads to Hastings 14 & 15 June at White Rock Theatre. It’s short and sweet, so fine for the little un’s to keep still.

For more family fun ideas during June see our half term guide for the kids.

COMEDY

There’s no shortage of laughs this month as the cream of comedy head to Sussex. Headline-grabbing comedian and ‘disappointing daughter’ of Muslim parents from Pakistan, Shazia Mira is in Worthing at the Connaught on 16 June. Read our interview here.

You can catch Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats and self-proclaimed Mouth of the South Rob Beckett in Hastings at the White Rock on 8 June.

While TV’s Paul Merton and his Impro Chums are at the Dome in Brighton on 12 June and cheeky Sarah Millican heads to the Hawth in Crawley on 8 June, just before Rhod Gilbert on 20 June. Or catch some up and coming new names at the Hastings Fringe Comedy Festival at venues across town, 15- 19 June. Giggles guaranteed!

Comedy Night at the Brewhouse Project, Arundel on 10 June should also be a winner – enjoy live comedy, craft beer and street food at this indie bar in the picturesque town.

For more What’s On ideas see our Sussex festival guide for the summer and half term fun for the kids.

What’s on in Sussex in June

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