Humorous start for festival

LEWES Festival gets under way next weekend with a major exhibition of the work of the humorist Gerard Hoffnung.

From Saturday (April 20) the exhibition of Hoffnung's drawings and memorabilia will be shared between two venues Pelham House for 'The Irrepressible Hoffnung' and the Star Gallery for the 'Young Hoffnung'.

Gerard Hoffnung was one of music's funniest observers, a brilliant and original cartoonist and a hilarious storyteller. In his tragically short life, he became world famous for his renderings of musical scenes which quickly reduced listeners and audiences into tears of laughter. No mean musician himself, he was an expert tuba player and gave performances of concertos with leading orchestras.

Annetta Hoffnung will be joining the Lewes Festival 2002 on May 2 to give an illustrated talk of her husbands life, career and art, and to share with us the gift that laughter can bring to everyone.

For further details and ticket prices contact the Lewes Festival Society, 211 High Street, or pick up a brochure. Tickets are available from the Gardner Arts Centre and Lewes Tourist Information Centre .

The festival continues until May 6 with a variety of musical, literary and visual arts events. See next week's Express for further previews.