Four great shows to see in the Eastbourne area

Mike becomes Beethoven in a passionate performance

Mike Hatchard – Playing Beethoven...Playing Bethoven is at Eastbourne’s Grove Theatre on Friday, February 28 (7.30pm).

Tickets cost £10-£12 on 01323 736553 or from www.groveeastbourne.com (includes booking fee). People can also buy tickets from Eastbourne’s Tourist Information Centre.

A spokesperson said: “Mike Hatchard doesn’t just play the music of Beethoven, he becomes Beethoven. Assuming the role of the great man towards the end of his life, he looks back on the highs and lows; the first real ‘star’ of music who dared be uncompromising and driven by his own agenda.

“Bipolar long before the condition was recognised, in this recital/play he demonstrates to his audience on how his music reflects his passions and disappointments. The financial struggles, the self doubt, the ill-health, the legendary irascibility and the all consuming deafness – all these things succumb to the magnificence of the music.”

A journey with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

The sounds of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will fill Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre as the acclaimed New Jersey Nights takes up a three-night residency (March 5-7).

The nostalgic musical journey, which follows the band’s astonishing career, starts at 7.30pm nightly with a 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

It’s packed with the group’s biggest hits including ‘Sherry’, ‘Rag Doll’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ and ‘Walk Like A Man’.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons rose to fame in 1962 where they dominated the soundwaves of the ’60s and ’70s. They have since secured legions of new fans thanks to the success of the West End and Broadway hit show Jersey Boys and the subsequent film.

Tickets cost £20-£30 on 01323 412000.

A comedy about class differences and ambition

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, producers London Classic Theatre return to Devonshire Park Theatre from February 25-29 with Alan Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular.

The show starts at 7.45pm (Weds and Sat 2.30pm). Tickets cost £18-£25.50 from 01323 412000.

Michael Cabot directs John Dorney (Geoffrey Jackson), Felicity Houlbrooke (Jane Hopcroft), Helen Keeley (Eva Jackson), Rosanna Miles (Marion Brewster-Wright), Graham O’Mara (Ronald Brewster-Wright) and Paul Sandys (Sidney Hopcroft) in a play that looks at how class differences and naked ambition can combine to hilarious effect.

Celebrating rock royalty with an orchestra

Queen Symphonic offers some legendary rock hits on an epic scale at Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre next week.

The concert is at the venue for one night only on Wednesday, February 26, and tickets cost £27-£49 (inclusive of £2 per ticket booking fee).

Call 01323 412000 or visit www.eastbourne

theatres.co.uk.

Celebrating the music of Queen, the tribute show features four rock vocalists from We Will Rock You, a five-piece rock band and a symphony orchestra.

The songs will include ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Are the Champions’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and many more.

Ricky Gervais heads to Brighton with SuperNature. Click here to read more.

Smash hit musical Waitress heads to Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre. Click here to read more.

An interview with Baxter Dury ahead of Hastings Fat Tuesday’s launch night. Click here to read more.