In October cinephile Linsay McCulloch explored the crises of masculinity in the cult classic The Incredible Shrinking Man, we learned about the politics of Eurovision from Catalyst favourite Pete Fij and the Scherzo Foundation trio revealed that the secret to getting exciting arts projects is simply to award them to yourself and just get on with it. 

For November we welcome Dave Fawcett, musician Al Strachan (ChopChop, Oddfellow’s Casino, Crayola Lectern) and Philippa Stanton who, severeal years ago, spoke about the sensual delights of fruit and veg, reminding us that the sound of a squeezed aubergine is a thing to be cherished.

** Please note that this Catalyst is on a Monday night **

In October we learned about ‘obscurer cameras’ from artist Nick Sayers,  cinephile Linsay McCulloch explored the crises of masculinity in the cult classic The Incredible Shrinking Man, and I gave an (impromptu) talk about Masquerade, the book that launched the world’s largest treasure hunt in 1979. And Jane Bom-Bane taught us – phonetically – how to sing an old French classic. 
We return in November with award-winning nature writer Mike Unwin, and welcome the return of both Danny ‘Drugs in the Bible’ Nemu and Philippa Stanton who, several years ago, spoke about the sensual delights of fruit and veg, reminding us that the sound of a squeezed aubergine is a thing to be cherished. 

‘Weather mixed, lots of good buildings’ – a picture postcard tour of twentieth century seaside architecture.

Enjoy a nostalgic stroll around the good, the bad and the ugly of seaside architecture from 1920 to 2000. In this illustrated talk, based on her new book, author and historian Kathryn Ferry uses picture postcards to highlight how design trends including Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Brutalism, shaped our seafronts, taking in everything from piers and pools to beach huts and amusement arcades.

In October we tagged onto the coat tails of Shoreham Wordfest with our own literary special welcoming Dan Richards, author of Overnight; Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Gift of the Night, The Druid Way and the Book of English Magic. And to replace Ali Millar who was unable to make it, I stepped in and played the bagpipes for 20 minutes.
For our final one of 2025 we welcome Adrian Sensicle, artist Chris MacDonald and Nick Sayers.

**please note this is on a Monday not Tuesday**

The English poet, illustrator, philosopher and visionary, William Blake, has never been more loved. His social comment, creative knack and quotable verse have proven irresistible. And yet for all the fascination and adulation, he is rarely read as he hoped.  He promises to cleanse the doors of perception so that others might follow him and step into the domain he called Eternity. He provides a way to an utterly changed view of reality, which his works are designed to precipitate. In this illustrated talk, Mark Vernon will  explore Blake’s precise analysis of modern ills, as well as his initiatory mythology, to foster the awakening he yearned to stir. What emerges when, single vision and Newton’s sleep confronted, eternity’s sunrise dawns in our minds? 
Mark Vernon is a philosopher, psychotherapist and author. His new book is Awake! William Blake and the Power of the Imagination.

QUENTIN CRISP: NAKED HOPE Written and performed by Mark Farrelly (Jarman, Howerd’s End, The Silence of Snow)
Directed by Linda Marlowe
Back by popular demand! 

Mark Farrelly brings his hugely-acclaimed solo play to Brighton for an up-close encounter with the original Englishman in New York.
From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century. Openly gay as early as the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being beaten up on London’s streets for refusing to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, inspire to the present day.
Naked Hope depicts Quentin at two phases of his extraordinary life: alone in his Chelsea flat in the 1960s, certain that life has passed him by, and thirty years later, performing An Evening with Quentin Crisp in New York. Packed with witty gems on everything from cleaning (“Don’t bother – after the first four years the dust won’t get any worse”) to marriage (“Is there life after marriage? The answer is no”), Naked Hope is a glorious, uplifting celebration of the urgent necessity to be your true self. 
Running time: 75 mins no interval.

★★★★★ “A stunning piece of theatre, masterfully told” Broadway Baby
★★★★ “An uncanny feat of resurrection. Farrelly’s mastery of his audience is total” Time Out
★★★★ “Brilliant” The Stage
★★★★ “A sensational performance” Theatrescene.net (Off-Broadway)
★★★★ “A riveting and quite hysterically funny show” British Theatre Guide
★★★★ “Reveals both the frailty and fearlessness of a trendsetter” Metro
★★★★ “Highly recommended” North West End
★★★★ “Spectacularly metamorphic” The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “A brave celebration of a truly witty outsider” London Theatre 1