Brighton Theatre Royal - Noises Off by Michael Frayn
Director: David Gilmore

It's rare you emerge from a night out at the theatre feeling exhausted, but such was the physical marathon the cast put themselves through last night, most of us felt we'd done it with them. We did, however, have the energy for a long ovation at the end of a massively entertaining show.

�The wind was blowing harder now, and the snow was coming down in thick flurries, which quickly turned the fronts of their clothes white and made it difficult either to see or hear; but Dora thought she heard a snatch of music. Then one of the little boys started jumping up and down and pointing. 'Look! Look! They're dancing! They're dancing!' Everyone looked where the little boy was pointing. On the far side of the snow-field, next to the fir trees, the snowmen and snow-women were moving.�

Anyone who has been faced with a blank page and the task of filling it with words will understand the problem of writers block � whether it�s a speech that has to be written or your next novel, its something that most can empathise with.

But what to do abut it? Writers hub The South is running a series of workshops that offer practical advice and solutions to the problem, lead by Sandy Hutchinson Nunns of literary therapy organisation Brighton Lapidus.

Brighton Art Fair celebrates its fifth year of artistic exuberance this September.

Set amid the Regency splendour of Brighton�s Corn Exchange in the heart of Brighton�s cultural quarter, 150 of the UK�s most talented painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors are represented, as well as artist groups and Sussex based galleries.

The fair showcases affordable artwork mostly between �50 and �1500 - it's an ideal opportunity to see a huge variety of work and find what appeals to you. It can be informative and a pleasure to talk to the artists about their work and buy direct - all in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

�Never talk about religion or politics,� we say. And what about money? Sex? Taboo words? Terrorism? In these security-conscious, �politically correct� times, it can be difficult to speak and print on sensitive topics. Publisher and editor Kay Green will talk about her experience of these issues as a writer and editor, and ask the audience for their views.

�The Unspeakable and the Unprintable� debate, starting at 7pm on Friday 5th Sept is just one of the events for readers and writers at the Jenny Lind this week.

Kate Rusby, Laura Marling, Bella Hardy, Julie Fowlis, Eliza Carthy, Jenna Reid, � it seems that contemporary folk is a girls-only club.

But John McCusker, armed with almost every instrument under the sun, proves that men can still do folk without resorting to big beards and woolly jumpers.

He's an edgy, entertaining character live, with a striking shaved head and a presence crafted through years of appearances with The Battlefield Band and Kate Rusby. He has also guested with Paul Weller, Patti Smith and Teenage Fanclub. And toured with Billy Connolly. But his solo albums are the truest representation of his talent.

And both 'Yella Hoose' and 'Goodnight Ginger' are seeing a much-deserved reissue this month. Both albums will be remastered and packaged together

In the last few years, reading and discussion groups have been springing up all over the country. Some are mostly social events, others mostly literary. All are great for finding out about great reads you might otherwise have missed.

Writer and English teacher Kay Green will be leading a discussion and workshop on how to set up and maintain a successful book group on Saturday 30th August at 7pm at the Jenny Lind in Hastings Old Town.

Popular Hastings character Terry Sorby, who received a Mayoral Award for Services to the Community earlier this year, will be hosting the opening event of the �Books Born in Hastings� celebrations at the Jenny Lind in the High Street, Hastings Old Town as part of the Coastal Currents Arts Festival.

The world premiere of Martin Sherman�s play Aristo takes place in the Minerva Theatre, and it's the final show of Chichester Festival Theatre�s summer season.

Robert Lindsay plays tycoon Aristotle Onassis in this play based on the last years of his life. It looks at his complex connections and interwoven relationships with Jackie Kennedy (Elizabeth McGovern) and Maria Callas (Diana Quick), and his son Alexandros (Joe Marsh).