Street theatre launch for new-look Devonshire Square

THE new-look Devonshire Square will be officially launched with a festival of music and street theatre this Easter bank holiday.

The Oh We Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside event is set to demonstrate how the pedestrianised square can be used for community and tourist events.

The square will be turned into one big stage for a day of English seaside reminiscence with a modern twist from 12-3pm on Saturday, April 10. It's the first scheduled event since the pedestrianisation of the Square - a controversial initiative which has so far attracted much criticism.

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Entertainment during the afternoon will include music and theatre from local young people, who have been working with theatre companies and arts groups for months.

The Brothers Kalamari will provide a swinging and sophisticated soundtrack of 1930s jazz. Popular street entertainers Big Rory and Co will don their surreal seagull suits and make amusing nuisances of themselves throughout the afternoon alongside a bevy of 1920s-styled swimmers, who will promenade inside their striped bathing huts.

Outlaw ballroom dance champions Barry and Yvonne promise a colourful and enthusiastic display.

The event has been organised by Rother District Council in partnership with Art Cafe, Inside Out Theatre Company, the Children's Fund, Rhythmix, the Arts Council, East Sussex County Council and Bexhill Town Centre and Tourism Action Group.

In case of bad weather a reduced programme will play at Victoria Hall in