Coming Soon-NEIL BARTLETT IN CONVERSATION

 Julian Clary

Introduced by Julian Clary

Sun 31 Aug 2014

3pm

Local author Neil Bartlett reads from and talks about his new novel, THE DISAPPEARANCE BOY, a queer love story set in Brighton in the Coronation spring of 1953.  The event is introduced by Julian Clary.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Theatre Royal Brighton Young Writers, which supports and nurtures the playwrights and theatre makers of the future.  The scheme provides practical workshops and training for young writers aged 16-25 who are passionate about writing.

THE DISAPPEARANCE BOY

Reggie Rainbow is an angry young man who treads the backstage corridors of down?at?heel theatres for a living. Childhood polio has left him with a limp, but his strong arms and nimble fingers are put to perfect use behind the scenes, helping the illusionist Mr Brookes to ‘disappear’ a series of glamorous assistants twice nightly.

But in 1953, bookings for magic acts are scarce, even in London. So when Mr Brookes is unexpectedly offered a slot at the Brighton Grand, Reggie finds himself back out on the road and living in a strange new town. The sea air begins to work its own peculiar kind of magic, and, as the bunting goes up in the streets outside the theatre for the Grand’s forthcoming Coronation spectacular, Reggie begins to wonder just how much of his own life is an act – and what might have happened to somebody who disappeared from that life long ago. Set in the tarnished world of 1950s Variety, THE DISAPPEARANCE BOY is a masterful and dark tale of love lost and found; of blood, sweat and all the other secrets that are kept hidden away behind those red velvet curtains.

Neil Bartlett’s other books include the novels Ready to Catch Him Should He Fall, Mr Clive and Mr Page and Skin Lane, which was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award in 2007. He also works in the theatre, and in 2000 was awarded an OBE for his work as a director, performer and playwright. He lives in Brighton and London.

To book tickets

0844 871 7650*

www.atgtickets.com/brighton*

*Subject to a booking fee