Wagner Hall Brighton

Brighton Fringe: The Bubble Show
2025-05-18 13:45 - 15:00, 2025-05-17 13:45 - 15:00, 2025-05-04 13:45 - 15:00, 2025-05-03 13:45 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Wagner Hall
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Mr Bubbles is coming to town, and he’s making a splash with “The Bubble Show”!

Brace yourselves to be dazzled by an enchanting array of whimsical soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes! From the exciting eruption of the bubble volcano to the spiralling marvel of the fire tornado, prepare to be astounded!

This is no ordinary bubble show; it’s an original, interactive adventure, where the fusion of magic, storytelling, and science converge in a breath taking display of bubble artistry.

And leading the charge is none other than the legendary Highland Joker, actor, storyteller and Guinness World Record Holder, renowned as one of the foremost bubble artists in the world!

Whether you’re a wide-eyed child or a child at heart, prepare to be captivated by the spellbinding wonder of bubbles! So come one, come all, and let your imagination soar as we dive headfirst into the spectacular world of bubbles!

The Bubble Show: flawlessly simple and full of wonder. Deadline News, ★★★★★

Engaging showmanship from bubble maestro the Highland Joker. The List, ★★★★

Highly recommended for young children, the magic of bubbles is mesmerising. Fringe Review

DOORS – 1.45pm | SHOW – 2.00pm

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

DOORS – 1.45pm | SHOW – 2.00pm

Brighton Fringe: Debussy’s Romantic Piano by Candlelight – ‘Clair de Lune’
2025-05-16 20:10 - 20:30, 2025-05-15 20:10 - 20:30
Following his ★★★★★ sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show, concert pianist Matthew Shiel tours Brighton with a show inspired by the most romantic piano pieces ever composed and the mysterious masked balls of Venice.

Tonight’s musical programme includes Liszt’s Liebestraum, Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude and Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ – performed by intimate candlelight as he exposes the secret love affairs of the great composer’s hearts that have shaped the history of classical music.

This concert will also feature a new romantic piece composed specially for tonight’s artist by Matthew’s Italian friend and composer Dr Alfredo Caponnetto – ‘Notturno VI’ alongside a digital art exhibition designed by acclaimed Shanghai artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience designed to fill you with romantic inspiration and open your heart to live and to love!

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DOORS – 8.10pm | SHOW – 8.30pm

Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert – oozing a joyful sense of romantic love

– Edinburgh Guide, ★★★★★

A ripping good yarn. Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts

– Binge Fringe Magazine, ★★★★★

Matthew Shiel shone

– Three Weeks, ★★★★

Brighton Fringe: Einaudi's Piano by Candlelight - 'Spirited Away'
2025-05-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-05-15 18:30 - 20:00
Following his ★★★★★ sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show, concert pianist Matthew Shiel tours Brighton Fringe with a show inspired by Studio Ghibli’s anime Spirited Away, Ludovico Einaudi’s TOP10 most streamed piano pieces, and Philip Glass’ hypnotic soundtrack to the Academy award-winning film The Hours.

Tonight’s musical programme is accompanied by thought-provoking Japanese Zen Stories and a digital art exhibition and light installation designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience designed to relax and wind down, bring you into a heightened state of consciousness and find musical enlightenment!

Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle), and Glasgow City Halls. “Matthew Shiel shone” (Three Weeks)

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DOORS – 6.30pm | SHOW – 7.00pm

Audience was indeed ‘spirited away’ in a meditative, theatrical ambience of calm reflective light…

– Edinburgh Guide, ★★★★★

A ripping good yarn. Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts

– Binge Fringe Magazine, ★★★★★

Matthew Shiel shone

– Three Weeks, ★★★★

Café Scientifique: The Quantum Universe
2025-05-14 19:00 - 21:30
With Prof Stephen Wilkins

DOORS: 7.00pm

SPEAKER: 7.30pm

IMPORTANT
Please ensure you REGISTER prior to attending!

Register to Attend

Quantum physics is a fundamental theory that describes the behaviour of nature at and below the scale of atoms. Celebrating 100 years since initial developments, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. As part of these celebrations I will introduce how quantum physics is essential to our understanding of the Cosmos, focussing on two examples.First, the process of nuclear fusion is responsible for the majority energy generation in stars; however the temperatures in stellar interiors are too low for this to happen “classically”. However, the phenomenon of quantum tunnelling enables atomic nuclei to fuse even if they don’t have the required energies.Second, our Universe is replete with structures in the form of planets, stars, galaxies and clusters. These structures are thought to caused by amplification by the process of inflation of minuscule quantum fluctuations present in the very early Universe.

Stephen Wilkins is a Professor of Astronomy and Public Understanding of Science at the University of Sussex. Stephen obtained his Masters in Physics from the University of Durham before receiving his PhD from the University of Cambridge. Stephen then worked as a research fellow at the University of Oxford before joining the faculty at Sussex in 2013.Stephen’s main research focuses on understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies, particularly the first stages in the distant early Universe. To do this Stephen combines observations from telescopes including Webb and Hubble with supercomputer simulations. Outside his research Stephen is also a keen advocate of public understanding of science. Highlights include his leadership of three exhibits at the prestigious Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition and dozens of talks.

Doors and bar open 7:00pm

Please note that we are entirely dependent on donations from those who attend our events. You can make a donation as you arrive or leave; we are happy to accept cash or card payments. All donations greatly appreciated!

Brighton Fringe: We Bop Choir
2025-05-10 19:30 - 22:30
After a sell-out performance at Brighton Spiegeltent in 2024, We Bop Choir return celebrating sisterhood with a new show, “We Are Family”.

Expect to hear a cracking repertoire of pop and soul covers by artists such as Sister Sledge, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Gloria Gaynor, Jill Scott, Dolly Parton, The Pointer Sisters, Carol King and many more.

This fabulous all-women ensemble features shimmering vocal harmonies, led by Musical Director, Rachel Myer, accompanied by their Latin acoustic trio and enriched by standout guest vocals from Lucy Pickering and Debby Tyndall. We Bop Choir create gorgeous, original arrangements that will lift your heart and move your feet and will have you singing in the aisles by the end of the night.

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

DOORS – 7.30pm | SHOW – 8.00pm

White Wall Cinema: DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN
2025-05-09 19:50 - 22:30
40TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating 17 years of Brighton’s favourite 80s party and the city’s longest running weekly club night (Every Saturday at Green Door Store) ‘It Is Still 1985’ is marking both their own longevity and the fact that the year they are named after (1985) is now exactly 40 years ago by teaming up with us at White Wall Cinema to create a new movie club for 2025 that screens a selection of movies celebrating their 40th anniversary on a limited number of select dates across this year.

A bonafide member of the first wave of American 80s-era independent filmmakers, Susan Siedelman was just coming down from the success of her first film ‘Smithereens’ (the first American independent film to be selected for competition at Canne) a gritty and humorous look at New York’s Bohemian post-punk music scene, when she stumbled upon her next film and truly captured pop culture lightning in a bottle. Against the studios wishes she refused a who’s who list of stars lined up for the film’s lead roles opting instead to cast two unknowns in the shape of Rosanna Arquette and Siedelman’s neighbour at the time Madonna. Arquette of course would go on to be a major movie star (credits include Scorsese’s After Hours, Besson’s The Big Blue, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Cronenberg’s Crash) but it was Madonna, still exuding the hyper cool of New York street fashion, cool in a way that only a newly minted popstar on the verge of mega-fame can be, that set audiences alight in 1985.

DOORS: 7.50pm*

START TIME: 8.30pm*

RUN TIME: 104 mins

CERT: 15 (Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult).

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Brighton Fringe: Andromache & Neoptolemus
2025-05-08 18:30 - 22:00, 2025-05-07 18:30 - 22:00, 2025-05-06 18:30 - 22:00
A play by the students of University of Sussex. A tale of tragedy and the violence of human nature — Andromache & Neoptolemus.

Following star crossed lovers during the final months of the Trojan war; Andromache is a recently widowed mother trying to find peace — Neo fights on the opposite side of the war; anomalistically wanting to make his father proud.

In dreams gifted by the Gods themselves, they know not whom the other is, but love them regardless. Will that all change when Neo receives a prophecy to kill the prince of Troy?

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

DOORS – 6.30pm | SHOW – 7.00pm

Brighton Astro: Quantum talks
2025-05-01 19:00 - 21:30
DOORS: 7.00pm

LECTURE: 7.30pm

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It’s that time of year again when Brighton Astro invites its members to take centre stage and talk on any subject they like for 10 minutes – as long as it is space related. This year we have a great line up and a brilliantly diverse range of subjects:

Ivana PeranicNarrowband Planets: Planetary imaging in UV, IR, and methane bandpasses

Russ FlawnProject: Satellite (DNA to LEO!)Our space balloon project only got us so high. This time we’re going all the way up to Low Earth Orbit!

JohnHabitable worlds around Red Dwarf stars… or not!Some important conditions concerning the possibility of habitable exoplanets around Red Dwarf stars, that’s often overlooked.

Simon BinnsFlight controller launch poll…

If you sign up via meetup but can no longer attend, please update your status to say that you are no longer attending so that someone on the waiting list gets a place.

Please only come along if you’ve signed up, as we’re limited on space so won’t be able to fit anyone else in.

Wagner Hall is on on Regency Road, Brighton.Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically.

Please note that the venue has a bar.

White Wall Cinema: THE FRENCH CONNECTION
2025-04-29 19:30 - 22:30
Winner of 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for the late great Gene Hackman (Unforgiven, Mississippi Burning, The Conversation, The Royal Tenenbaums) we pay tribute to this titan of the acting world at the peak of his powers. Extraordinarily directed by the also recently departed William Friedkin, the no-nonsense genius who also gave us classics like The Exorcist, The Boys In The Band, Cruising, To Live and Die in L.A. and Sorcerer, The French Connection is a landmark film featuring a towering performance from Hackman and the best car chase sequence ever committed to celluloid.

When rough and tumble cop Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy ‘Cloudy’ Russo (Roy Scheider – Jaws) stumble upon a narcotics ring in early 70s New York the obsessive Doyle sets about busting it up and taking down the smugglers bringing in heroine from Marseille. Realistic, fast-paced and uncommonly smart it ushered in a new gritty era of cinema that would lead to the greatest ever era of American films.

Repeatedly listed in the American film institutes top 100 movies of all time, this neo-noir masterpiece has influenced everyone from Akira Kurosawa to Steven Spielberg to David Fincher. Garnering more than 20+ major film awards (including the aforementioned 5 Oscars) The French Connection is a keystone of American cinematic culture and a big screen must for movie fans of all stripes, as well as being a fitting tribute to one of America’s greatest all-time screen actors, Gene Hackman.

DOORS: 7.30pm

START TIME: 8.10pm

RUN TIME: 104 mins

CERT: 18

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White Wall Cinema: DIDI
2025-04-24 19:20 - 22:30
The trick of Sean Wang’s brilliant debut film Didi is that it is both a coming of age movie for anyone who’s ever been a teenager, as well as being a deeply accurate portrait of what it was like for the first generation that grew up online. In what feels like a spiritual sequel to Jonah Hill’s ‘Mid90s’ and a prequel to Bo Burnham’s ‘Eighth Grade’, 2008 is depicted with heartfelt and deadly accuracy as young Didi grows up in a world of Facebook & MySpace whilst still facing the timeless agonies of being a teenager.

Sublimely written and performed, Didi boasts a brilliant lead in the shape of its young lead Izaac Wang, who must learn to navigate the tricky teenage questions of understanding your cultural identity, how to flirt with girls, how to skateboard, and how to get along with your mother, (played here beautifully by the marvellous Joan Chen of Twin Peaks fame).

Living with his sister, mother and (the director’s own real-life) grandmother, Didi’s life reflects both a highly personal statement from director Sean Wang, but also an extraordinarily moving and universal portrait of the joy and chaos of being 13 whilst trying to be cool. Tender, funny, and painful Wang’s film is a triumphant and definitive portrait of a very recent bygone era that gives us a wonderfully salient insight into the past, the present and the future of teenage life.

DOORS: 7.20pm*

START TIME: 8pm*

RUN TIME: 91 mins

CERT: 15 (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

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White Wall Cinema: THE KEEP + THE FOG
2025-04-20 21:00 - 2025-04-21 01:30
LATE NIGHT DOUBLE BILL – BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY (NO WORK MONDAY!)

White Wall Cinema’s first ever late night screening we have twinned two supernatural horror classics, one hard-to-find, long lost gem by one of cinema’s coolest directors, and one much loved favourite by a horror master which we will sync up the time and date of the story with the actual time and date of the screening for extra spookiness!

The night begins with a super special screening of the long lost recently unearthed 1983 Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Heat, Collateral, Manhunter) film The Keep. Hard to find and rarely screened, this fabled holy grail of cinema follows a group of Nazi soldiers who occupy a small village in the Carpathian Mountains during World War II, only to find the fortress they are so keen on setting up camp in wasn’t built to keep them out, but was actually constructed to keep something evil in!

This will be followed by an all time classic from legendary horror director John Carpenter’s (Halloween, The Thing, They Live, Escape From New York). The Fog is the spooky tale of a small Californian coastal town celebrating it’s centenary which marks not only the 100th anniversary of the town, but also of a supernatural fog that descended following a mysterious ship wreck in the area. This unearthly fog now returns bringing with it dangerous spectres hell-bent on seeking retribution.

Please Note: There will be a short interval between the films but patrons will only be able to enter prior to the start of the first film..

*Please note – doors open at 9pm in advance of screening time in order to give patrons extra time to enjoy safely purchase food & drink, take a look at our archive movie store and to allow gradual entry to your seats in a safe and easy way. Please try to allow extra time to get seated prior to the performance start time of 9.30pm. There will usually be no admittance from 20 minutes after the films stated start time. No hot food or alcohol from outside the premises is allowed. All alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises must be purchased from the bar as per the conditions of the venue’s licence.

TICKETS & MORE INFO

DOORS: 9pm*

START TIME: 9.30pm*

RUN TIME: 96 mins + 90 mins

(Event End Approx 1.10am)

CERT: 18

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White Wall Cinema: EMPIRE RECORDS
2025-04-18 19:00 - 22:30
GOOD FRIDAY SPECIAL EVENT

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Easily THE Most 90s movie ever made, the definitive cult classic and enduring fan favourite coming of age comedy-drama Empire Records comes to White Wall Cinema for a special Good Friday event.

A joyous depiction of 90s teen culture Empire Records follows a group of misfit employees at a Delaware record store (the shop itself is enough to inspire waves of 90s nostalgia) who find they have to band together to save their indie record store from a corporate takeover. Filled with teenage life problems, romances and laughs, Empire Records features a brilliant ensemble cast of fresh faced young stars including Liv Tyler (Lord of The Rings), Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones), Robin Tunney (The Craft), Rory Cochrane (Dazed & Confused / Argo), Debi Mazar (Goodfellas / Entourage) plus a legendary and unforgettable turn from Maxwell Caulfield as washed up pop-star Rex Manning (Say No More Mon Amour)!

The film is chock full of classic 90s tunes, as such we will be spinning some of our own on the night ahead of screening time (including some pre-film big screen music videos of the era), so come early and grab a drink. On that note we will be serving a special coctail inspired by the legend Rex Manning himself and we will be opening up our beer garden for the first time this year. Plus if you fancy dressing up in your best 90s Empire Records inspired garb we might well give out a best dressed award. That plus much more at this special Good Friday special screening event. You are off work so no excuses, but either way, ‘Damn the man, save the Empire’!

DOORS, DJ & DRINKS FROM: 7pm*

SCREENING START TIME: 8.05pm*

FILM RUN TIME: 90 mins

CERT: 12 (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

Pour Choices Wine Fair
2025-04-12 13:00 - 19:00
Tickets & More Info

After the success of their second event in September 2024, Pour Choices are back for the third edition of their sell-out fair!

Join us on Saturday 12th April, 2025 for a celebration of the best in UK low-intervention and natural winemaking. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or new to the natural wine scene, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE POUR CHOICES WINE FAIR?

With a curated incredible line-up of the UK’s most exciting low-intervention winemakers, joined by makers of wild beer, cider, and kombucha, it’s a chance to explore exceptional wines, dive into the craft behind them, and enjoy a day of great drinks, delicious local food, workshops and music.

🍇 Entry to the event – Meet, chat & try the wines of 20+ UK low intervention winemakers

📝 Access to all workshops (register for these on the day).

🎟️ Five tasting tokens

🍷 A branded tasting glass to keep

🥖 Music & local food traders

​STRICTLY OVER 18s ONLY

🔞 This event is strictly 18+. This includes no babes in arms.

💳 This is a cashless event. We can only accept card payments.

📷 Photography and filming will take place during the event.

Café Scientifique: Is a 4 day week good for you & your business?
2025-04-09 19:15 - 21:30
With Dr Charlotte Rae

DOORS: 7.15pm

SPEAKER: 8.00pm

IMPORTANT
Please ensure you REGISTER prior to attending!

Register to Attend

In a 4 day working week, full-time employees reduce their time at work to 4 days with no loss of salary. Media reports have suggested this can enhance both staff wellbeing, and performance at work. But what really happens behind closed doors and beyond the media headlines? We’ve been studying employers in Sussex and around the UK who made the switch, to find out the impacts that it had on their staff, and on the business. From mental health to productivity, and sleep to brain function, we’ve been assessing how a 4 day working week transforms life at work and beyond. We’ll share our latest findings from our Sussex 4 Day Week trial. We’ll also explore how staff manage to get more done in less time, by using psychological tips and tricks to increase efficiency at work.

Dr Charlotte Rae is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Sussex. Her research explores the biology of wellbeing and work, and particularly the interaction of our working hours with mental and physical health. She founded the Sussex 4 Day Week programme to study the effects of a 4 day week, and to use these research insights to help employers who want to give a shorter working week a try. Her research is funded by a £1.6million UK Research Council grant that studies how our brain health interacts with our work performance.

Doors and bar open 7:15pm

Please note that we are entirely dependent on donations from those who attend our events. You can make a donation as you arrive or leave; we are happy to accept cash or card payments. All donations greatly appreciated!

White Wall Cinema: DOGFIGHT
2025-04-06 18:40 - 22:00
Tickets & More Info

Nancy Savoca’s criminally underseen 1991 film is an ineffably bittersweet portrait of youth in the 1960s, starring two of cinema’s brightest and most underserved talents in the late great River Phoenix (Stand By Me, My Own Private Idaho) and the wonderful Lili Taylor (Mystic Pizza, Six Feet Under).

When hot headed, Vietnam-bound marine Eddie Birdlace (River Phoenix), brings aspiring San Francisco folk singer Rose (Lili Taylor) as his date to a pre-shipping out to war ‘Dogfight’ party (a cruelly misogynistic party where men compete to bring the most unattractive dates they can find), things seem destined for disaster. But what begins as a night to forget unexpectedly develops into something far more meaningful.

Featuring music by folk legends Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Pete Seeger, Dogfight captures the miracle of human connection whilst gently prodding at notions of societal roles and the assumptions we make about others, all played out between two vividly drawn and beautifully acted characters (critics have argued Taylor more than deserved an Oscar nomination here). The film also gracefully subverts ideas surrounding machismo, patriotic duty, and the very meaning of America itself.

Finally seeing a renaissance in recent years Nancy Savoca’s Dogfight is a forgotten gem that deserves its new status as an undiscovered classic, that, whilst imbued with a light touch by its director, will non the less stay with you long after the credits roll.

DOORS: 6.40pm*

START TIME: 7.10pm*

RUN TIME: 93 mins

CERT: 15 (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

The Cellar - One Night Stand
2025-04-05 18:30 - 21:30
Brighton Rocks International Film Festival

Join Brighton Rocks International Film Festival as we present an exclusive screening of The Cellar by Jamie Langlands followed by a filmmaker Q&A by BIFA Qualified Festival directors.

A sci-fi horror depicting one girl’s battle against her inner demons. One she day wakes up imprisoned underground, with amnesia. She must escape, unravel the mystery behind her captivity, and confront her personal struggles. A suspenseful tale of survival, truth, and inner turmoil unfolds.

DOORS – 6.30pm

TICKETS

Brighton Astro: The European Southern Observatory - at the cutting edge of astronomy
2025-04-03 19:00 - 21:30
Speaker: Peter Grimley

DOORS: 7.00pm

LECTURE: 7.30pm

Register to Attend

The European Southern Observatory — ESO — was established in 1962 to provide astronomers in Europe with access to the southern skies by operating an observatory in Chile. Its five founding Member States have now grown to sixteen, including the UK. Since its inception ESO has been at the forefront of technological and engineering development and it now operates a suite of telescopes on three sites. In this Peter will describe ESO, its history and some of the cutting-edge instruments it now operates, and highlight just a few of the remarkable discoveries made with those facilities.

Peter Grimley is an editorial consultant working with ESO, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory and the International Astronomical Union. He has a BSc in Physics with Astrophysics from Leicester University and a PhD in astronomy from University College Cardiff. Peter is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and manages a programme of talks for the Friends of the RAS (ras.ac.uk/friends).

If you sign up via meetup but can no longer attend, please update your status to say that you are no longer attending so that someone on the waiting list gets a place.

Please only come along if you’ve signed up, as we’re limited on space so won’t be able to fit anyone else in.

Wagner Hall is on on Regency Road, Brighton.Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically.

Please note that the venue has a bar.

Waterstones: An Evening With Elif Shafak
2025-04-01 17:45 - 21:30
Elif Shafak’s latest novel, ‘There Are Rivers In The Sky’ is a sweeping and enchanting story set between the 19th century and modern times. Events centre around three extraordinary characters, Arthur, Narin and Zaleekhah, living on the banks of the Thames and the Tigris, their lives all curiously touched by the epic of Gilgamesh.

This is a truly beautiful novel about love, loss, memory & healing and, since its hardback release last year, has become one of Shafak’s most praised and beloved titles.

We do hope you can join us for what will be a very special and memorable evening, celebrating both this remarkable book and its much loved, highly acclaimed author.

Please note, book & ticket option includes a paperback copy of ‘There Are Rivers In The Sky’ (rrp £9.99) available for collection on the night.

DOORS – 5.45pm

EVENT – 6.30pm

TICKETS

White Wall Cinema: RETURN TO OZ
2025-03-28 19:20 - 22:30
Tickets & More Info

This wonderfully creepy kids classic still lives rent free in the minds of all who saw it in their youth. Forget Arianna Grande, this is the ONLY truly WICKED adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s Oz novels.

When the mother (Piper Laurie of Twin Peaks fame) of the young Dorothy Gale (played by the one and only Fairuza Balk from The Craft) fears her daughter is too disturbed by her memories/visions of the imaginary world of Oz, she takes her for psychological experimentation. Dorothy manages to escape to Oz, only find a vain witch and evil king have turned the yellow brick road to rubble, and left the Emerald City a pile of ruins. Determined to save the day she, with the help of some new friends like Billina, Tik-Tok, Jack Pumkinhead and The Gump, heads off to rescue her old friends the scarecrow, the tin man and the lion.

Given the awesome reputation of the original Wizard Of Oz film, spin-off adaptations were inevitable, but from The Wiz to Wicked no other Oz movie will ever quite achieve the cult status of this bizarre, brilliant and often dazzling creation that all adds up to the most wonderfully unexpected sequel to the 1939 MGM classic. Ingenious production design and irresistible nightmarish special effects combine to create a fantastic voyage that is burned into the psyche of every 80s kid and still stands today as a joyously creative and stylish take on the world over the rainbow.

DOORS: 7.20pm*

START TIME: 7.50pm*

RUN TIME: 113 mins

CERT: PG (Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult).

White Wall Cinema: INLAND EMPIRE
2025-03-23 17:40 - 22:30
DAVID LYNCH’S – 4K REMASTER

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With the sad passing of a true icon of cinema in David Lynch, we screen the final feature film of his illustrious career in the shape of this special 4K remaster presentation of the infamous Inland Empire. The final ‘ultimate’ puzzle of a career made out of cinematic puzzles, this 2006 experimental psychological thriller represents the natural progression and final landing point of the much discussed Lynchian style. Inland Empire is the direct successor to the likes of Blue Velvet, Wild At Heart, Twin Peaks, Lost Highway and perhaps most crucially Mulholland Drive.

A crucial artefact of the early digital filmmaking era, Lynch is as innovative as ever in this wild tale of a Hollywood actress (a mighty performance by Laura Dern) who begins to take on the personality traits of a character she is playing in a supposedly cursed film production. ​​Largely financed by Lynch himself, started without a finished screenplay and developed (as was Lynch’s preference) on a scene by scene basis, the film is famously shot by Lynch himself entirely on a handheld Sony camcorder. If Lynch was known for his pre-occupation with the relationship between cinema and dreams then Inland Empire is the closest we will ever come to having a live feed from inside David Lynch’s head on the screen.

The final and most undiluted statement by one of cinemas great heroes Inland Empire is a full circle moment and easily his most personal film since 1977’s Eraserhead and an extraordinary document of Lynch’s boundless imagination. Once again joining with regular collaborators like Dern (Blue Velvet / Wild At Heart) as well Justin Theroux (Mulholland Drive), Harry Dean Stanton (Wild At Heart) & Grace Zabriskie (Twin Peaks) David also brings in the likes of Jeremy Irons and Julia Ormond plus a collection of star cameos. Uncompromising and masterful, Inland Empire is a deep, seductive, troubling and confrontational whirlwind of a film that will confound and beguile you throughout.

DOORS: 5.40pm*

START TIME: 6.10pm*

RUN TIME: 180 mins

CERT: 12 (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

White Wall Cinema: INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS + ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER TIME
2025-03-14 18:40 - 23:00
GREENWICH VILLAGE DOUBLE BILL

Now that Timothée Chalamet has done us all the service of bringing Bob Dylan’s Greenwich Village back into the cultural conversation we finally have an excuse to screen the greatest piece of film about said 1960s folk cultural hotbed in the shape of one of the finest Coen Brothers films (Fargo, Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country for Old Men, Burn After Reading, True Grit etc) the glorious Inside Llewyn Davis starring Oscar Isaac & Carey Mulligan.

Not only that but the evening will continue with the screening of a very special companion piece film ‘Another Day, Another Time’ celebrating the folk music explosion in early 60s New York featuring a who’s who of musicians (Joan Baez, Marcus Mumford, Punch Brothers, Patti Smith, Gillian Welch, Jack White & more) all captured giving sublime stage performances of music from the era, on a truly glorious evening at New York Town Hall.

Considered one of the finest Coen Brothers films and regularly named amongst the top entries in ‘best films of the 21st century’ lists, Inside Llewyn Davis is an undoubted masterpiece of melancholic comedy that follows ‘a complete unknown’ folk singer called Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac), struggling to keep his personal life in order (chiefly his relationship with married folk singer Jean – Carrie Mulligan, and his friend’s ginger cat) whilst also attempting to become a success on the early 60s folk scene. Exceptionally witty, beautifully photographed, with an exceptional supporting cast this is the Coen Brothers at the absolute peak of their powers.

The accompanying concert film is an equally remarkable document of some of the most uplifting and affectingly brilliant folk music performances ever recorded and is a truly joyous concert film produced by the genius behind so many Coen Bros film soundtracks, the fifteen time Grammy Award winner T. Bone Burnett.

DOORS: 6.40pm*

START TIME: 7.10pm*

RUN TIME: 105 mins + 101 mins

CERT: 15 (Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult)

TICKETS & MORE INFO

Please Note: There will be a short interval between the films but patrons will only be able to enter prior to the start of the first film.

Café Scientifique: The teen brain - don't be afraid
2025-03-12 19:15 - 21:30
With Dr Liat Levita

DOORS: 7.15pm

SPEAKER: 8.00pm

IMPORTANT
Please ensure you REGISTER prior to attending!

Register to Attend

Are adolescents really just thrill-seekers who struggle to learn from negative outcomes? The answer, as we will talk about, is a big no. I will share some exciting research from my lab, using insights from EEG and behavioural tasks to challenge common misconceptions about teens. We will explore what these findings reveal about brain plasticity, risk-taking, and mental health, and why adolescence—while for most is an age full of opportunity—can also be a time of increased vulnerability. This will be an informal and interactive talk, so feel free to jump in with any questions, thoughts, or anything that fascinates you about the teenage brain!

Dr Liat Levita is the head of the Developmental Affective Neuroscience Lab and a Reader in Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Sussex. Her research takes a translational approach to understanding adolescence—a period of both immense opportunity and heightened vulnerability. By examining individual developmental trajectories from childhood through adulthood, she investigates both normative and non-normative development, with a focus on the impact of early life stress on well-being. She also studies the emergence of mental health pathologies, using a combination of brain imaging and psychophysiological methods (e.g., heart rate). She has held academic positions at the Universities of York, Sheffield, and Sussex, following postdoctoral research at Cornell, Columbia, and Emory Universities. She earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge and BSc in Neuroscience from the University of St Andrews.

Doors and bar open 7:15pm

Please note that we are entirely dependent on donations from those who attend our events. You can make a donation as you arrive or leave; we are happy to accept cash or card payments. All donations greatly appreciated!

Brighton Astro - Mercury 13: The Pioneering Women Who Defied the Space Race and Fought for Their Place Among the Stars
2025-03-06 19:00 - 21:30
Speaker: Tahani BaldwinUniversity of Sussex

DOORS: 7.00pm

LECTURE: 7.30pm

Register to Attend

During the height of the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, a little-known yet revolutionary program dared to defy the norms of the 1960s. Spearheaded by visionary aerospace physician Dr. William Randolph Lovelace ll, this groundbreaking initiative sought to answer one bold question: Could women endure the physical and psychological demands of spaceflight? The answer came from thirteen extraordinary women – accomplished pilots who challenged societal expectations and excelled under gruelling tests, often surpassing their male counterparts. Though the program was ultimately discontinued, their resilience in the face of entrenched prejudices became a powerful and enduring symbol of progress and possibility. This Women’s History Month, we honour these trailblazing women, whose courage and determination not only shaped the history of human spaceflight, but also inspired generations of explorers to reach for the stars.

Tahani Baldwin, GMBPsS, is a PhD candidate in neuroscience at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, with a research focus on digital interventions and behavioural change. She graduated with honours in Psychology from Aston University in 2022 and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Tahani’s passion for space exploration emerged during her postgraduate studies. As Chairperson of the University of Birmingham Astronomical Society, she led initiatives to promote engagement with astronomy and space research. For her master’s thesis, she explored the role of personality traits in stress adaptation within a simulated Martian environment. An avid space enthusiast and advocate for interdisciplinary research, Tahani is dedicated to advancing our understanding of human behaviour in extraterrestrial contexts, and deepening our knowledge of humanity’s place in the cosmos.

If you sign up via meetup but can no longer attend, please update your status to say that you are no longer attending so that someone on the waiting list gets a place.

Please only come along if you’ve signed up, as we’re limited on space so won’t be able to fit anyone else in.

Wagner Hall is on on Regency Road, Brighton.Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically.

Please note that the venue has a bar that sells alcohol.
