The Bad Book Project is a free monthly night in Brighton that involves really funny people reading from very bad books.
The night is produced and hosted by Jane Postlethwaite, character comedian and writer. The night has been so successful since it started in July 2015 and in 2017 they have had to move it to a bigger venue at The Blue Man in Brighton. Each month they have new readers who are made up of comedians, musicians, writers and other creative types.
Each event has a competition where the audience votes on their favourite readers and bad book. The prizes are notoriously silly. There is a loyal fan base that turn up each month wearing their ‘I love Bad Book Project’ badges.
Jane Postlethwaite, said: “The idea for the night came about by having to read really bad scripts while doing my acting diploma, finding crap books in charity shops and watching, ‘Celebrity Autobiography’ on Youtube.
The actual inspiration for the night was a video of Kristen Wiig reading from the Suzanne Somers Poem book, ‘Touch me’. After watching this video (repeatedly), I ordered the poem book from America years ago (costing a whopping £25) knowing it would one day be read at a night like this and I wrote in my notebook idea for Brighton night, ‘Bad Book Project’.
When I came to find my notebook years later and wanted to start an alternative comedy night I knew I had to use that title and use The Marwood for a venue. The Suzanne Somers book has been read by various guests throughout the year. It’s like the Holy Grail for this night!!
The night has always been a fusion of ideas from worldwide nights that I think are brilliant such as the American events like ‘Moth’ and ‘Celebrity Autobiography’.
Our readers choose bad sci-fi, celebrity autobiographies, childhood stories or diaries, emails from funny family members, ‘how to’ books, self-help and so many more….the only rule – No 50 shades of Grey nonsense!”
Event: The Bad Book Project
Where: The Blue Man, 8 Queens Road, Brighton
When: January 25, February 16, March 16, April 20, No Bad Book Project in May, June 22
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: Free entry
For more information, click here: