Sussex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hollywood-heads-to-eastbourne">HOLLYWOOD HEADS TO EASTBOURNE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-342.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81787" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-342.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-342-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-342-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-342-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Nicholas Dawkes</figcaption></figure>



<p>Hollywood actress Mischa Barton (<em>The O.C.</em>) is set to make her UK stage debut as a femme fatale immortalised by Barbara Stanwyck in Billy Wilder’s&nbsp;<em>Double Indemnity</em>, inspired by James M Cain’s great noir crime novel. A gripping cocktail of deceit and greed, lust and betrayal, it’s set in 1930s Los Angeles where insurance salesman Walter Huff is drawn into a murderous plot by seductive Phyllis Nirdlinger (Barton). It opens at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre on 5 Feb and then tours the UK and Ireland until May.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oh-yes-it-is">OH YES IT IS! </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-343.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81789" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-343.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-343-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-343-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-343-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: AI Panto</figcaption></figure>



<p>Written by a chatbot, that is. We’re talking about Komedia’s AI Panto, which debuts in the Brighton venue in January 2026. Billed as &#8220;truly spectacular, slightly ridiculous, and entirely artificial&#8221;, it’s heavy on improv, with a cast including BBC Radio Sussex’s Allison Ferns and comedian Patrick Monahan set to take suggestions from audience members. These they’ll run by Chat-GBT, which will conjure up a storyline.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The use of AI in the arts is bitterly controversial but the show’s creative director – he also plays the villain – Tom Beard, has defended the work: “With creative industries grappling with the rise of artificial intelligence, what better testing ground than with panto?”</p>



<p>Its short run kick off with a couple of days of school-only shows, then opens to all on 17 Jan, before closing with an adults-only performance. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chichester-s-wholly-likely-west-end-transfer">CHICHESTER&#8217;S WHOLLY LIKELY WEST END TRANSFER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-344.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81790" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-344.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-344-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-344-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-344-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Chichester Festival Theatre has secured a prestigious London transfer for another of its productions. Following the success of&nbsp;<em>South Pacific</em>,&nbsp;<em>Crazy for You</em>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/40713-oliver"><em>Oliver!</em></a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/45052-top-hat"><em>Top Hat</em></a>, playing Christmas at the Queen Elizabeth Hall,&nbsp;<em>The Unlikely Pilgrimage&nbsp;of Harold Fry</em>&nbsp;is set to open in the West End in Jan 2026. A musical adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s bestselling novel with music by indie-folk singer-songwriter Passenger, it’s quirky incarnate, full of bittersweet heart and hope. Kicking yourself for not catching it locally this summer? Don’t miss out a second time! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cheers">CHEERS! </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-346.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81793" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-346.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-346-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-346-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-346-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-346-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: The Plough Rye</figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s official, The Plough in Rye is one of the 20 best pubs in the UK. So say judges (nice work etc) at <em>The Good Food Guide</em>, whose inaugural 100 Best Pubs in Britain list has just been revealed. As <em>The Good Food Guide</em>’s editor, Chloe Hamilton, explained: &#8220;We went searching for the pubs that nail the drinking and dining side of the equation. It turns out the harder you look, the more you find, and they’re not all hidden away in the Cotswolds.&#8221; As if!&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Plough Rye, which ranked 20<sup>th</sup>,&nbsp;is described as a &#8220;cosy country pub with a beer garden offering picturesque views of the Brede valley [and] a ‘warm atmosphere with log fires and friendly service&#8221;. What’s on the menu? Pub classics whipped up with largely British produce drawn from local suppliers. Muddy boots and muddy paws are both welcomed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Three other Sussex pubs made the list: George, Burpham (35<sup>th</sup>), The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, (42<sup>nd</sup>) and The Crown, Hastings (86<sup>th</sup>).</p>



<p>A fine excuse for a cross-county pub crawl, Muddy reckons.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-exhale">AND EXHALE&#8230; </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/AJs1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81832" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/AJs1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/AJs1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/AJs1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/AJs1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://alexanderhotels.co.uk/alexander-house/food-drink/ag-restaurant/?srsltid=AfmBOorXT_xXIR0BCGphoRecMyqjDaE2WUdXsp3_Z3Mm-WetTIDYxFca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AG</a>’s, the much-loved fine dining restaurant at Alexander House, will be reopening for dinner from 14 Nov. It closed during Covid and never fully returned, opening only for Sunday lunch these past few years. Happily, new Executive Head Chef Tony Sanders has decided the time is right to revive the AJ&#8217;s evening offering – good news for fans of an elegant ambiance, seasonal flavours, and spotless service. Even better, we&#8217;re all invited to an exclusive soft launch on 13 Nov with 50% off your food bill. It’s a limited offer and booking is required. Muddy hears only a few tables remain already! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chateau-de-firle">CHATEAU DE FIRLE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-347.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-347.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-347-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-347-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-347-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Firle Place</figcaption></figure>



<p>Yes, it could be coming to a wine list near you. Muddy hears that East Sussex’s Firle Estate is on the lookout for wine producers to help it create a co-branded wine. Rathfinny is just next door, and Firle’s land seems equally vine-friendly.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It’s a tempting proposition from one of the more prestigious landed estates in the South Downs, popular as a wedding, events and filming venue, with added links to the Bloomsbury Group, who gravitated to the nearby Charleston Farmhouse.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walk-this-way-while-you-still-can">WALK THIS WAY – WHILE YOU STILL CAN </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-349.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81802" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-349.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-349-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-349-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/11/Untitled-design-349-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Thinking of heading out on an autumn stroll this weekend? You might want to consider Cuckmere Haven footpath – before it closes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The National Trust has alarmed ramblers with a proposal to flood part of the Cuckmere Valley, in the hopes of improving biodiversity and river flow. However, the scheme would also have an impact on well-used paths in one of the region’s most popular walking spots, flooding a section of the Vanguard Way for much of the year, rendering it impassable, and permanently closing another.&nbsp;</p>



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<p><em><strong>In the mood for more? </strong></em></p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/your-turn-to-cook-this-christmas-chef-andrew-mackenzie-shares-tips-and-inspiration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your turn to cook this Christmas? A chef shares his inspiration and sanity-saving tips </a></p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/broadcaster-and-wine-writer-olly-smith-reveals-his-favourite-sussex-vineyard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy meets TV wine expert Olly Smith</a> </p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/clay-date-chisel-pottery-reviewed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clay date! Chisel Pottery reviewed</a></p>


Your November newsflash is here!

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