An evening of drawing, stories & music with Charlie Mackesy, the author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
An intimate and uplifting experience that reflects the warmth and humanity at the heart of his work. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to hear Charlie speak about the origins of his much-loved characters, the ideas that shape his art, and the remarkable creative process that reflects the warmth and humanity at the heart of his work.
Charlie will be joined on stage by a pianist and a live string quartet, who will perform originally composed pieces from the award-winning film adaptation of ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse’. This live performance brings Charlie Mackesy’s much-loved work to life on stage, adding music to an unforgettable evening of art and storytelling.
Ticket holders are encouraged to bring drawing materials to this show. Please ensure these are dry materials – no ink/ paint or similar permitted.
EVENT INFORMATION
Building Opens: 6pm
Show Start: 7.30pm
This show is suitable for all ages, under 14s should be accompanied by an adult aged 18+.
“Do you have a favourite saying?” asked the boy.
“Yes” said the Mole.
“What is it?”
“If at first you don’t succeed, have some cake”
“I see, does it work?”
“Every time”
– an extract from Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
There will be delicious cake to purchase on the night, though only whilst stocks last. If you’d like to be sure of one, you can pre-order a cake and prosecco package at the point of purchase.
Charlie Mackesy Best Seats for Charity Ticket:
Charlie Mackesy Best Seats for Charity Ticket.
£25 from every Best Seat ticket sold is donated to charity, Comic Relief.
Charlie Mackesy will donate a minimum of £25 from each Best Seat Ticket, to Comic Relief, the operating name of Charity Projects, a registered charity in England and Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730), which is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (01806414). Comic Relief supports more than 35,000 projects, enabling over 1,000 community organisations to help tackle poverty and social injustice in the UK and around the world by giving people access to food, shelter and safety For more information, please visit comicrelief.com.
Proceeds from the Charity Ticket will go to Comic Relief.
We strongly recommend ticket buyers to take out Ticket Protection insurance with Secure My Booking available when you book your tickets at check out.
SEATING INFORMATION: If you are coming to a seated event, you will notice that we have temporary seats in the stalls. This is because we have started early preparatory works on the auditorium as part of our bigger building project. Major works are still some time off, and you will see that our programme runs well into 2026, but please sign up to our mailing list or follow us on socials to be kept updated on the next stages of the project.
An unforgettable evening of art, stories, music and reflection with one of the world’s most beloved artists and storytellers.
British artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy will appear live on stage for two very special evenings celebrating the spirit and wisdom of his internationally cherished book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. The shows will take place at the pioneering arts centre, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, on Thursday 21st May, and at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall on Friday 22nd May — a venue that shares a long-standing creative connection with Charlie.
In this unique event, Charlie will bring together live drawing, storytelling, and live music to create an intimate and uplifting experience that reflects the warmth and humanity at the heart of his work. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to hear Charlie speak about the origins of his much-loved characters, the ideas that shape his art, and the remarkable creative process that transformed a series of drawings into a global phenomenon. Audience members are encouraged to participate by bringing their own drawing materials to the show. Please note that only dry materials are permitted, no ink, paint, or similar mediums.
Charlie’s award-winning work has been featured in books, galleries, school classrooms, hospital wards, prisons and public spaces around the world. First published in October 2019, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse quickly became an international bestseller and a modern classic and has now reached over 10 million readers around the world.
It holds the record for the most consecutive weeks in the Sunday Times Non-Fiction Chart across all formats, as well as being the longest running Non-Fiction number one of all time. A number one New York Times bestseller, it has also remained on the NYT list since publication. Charlie’s beloved book is the first ever book to be awarded both the Waterstones Book of the Year and Barnes and Noble Book of the Year and has been translated into over 50 languages. Its distinctive illustrations and handwritten reflections have brought comfort and inspiration to readers of all ages, and its message of compassion and hope continues to reach audiences across the globe.
In 2023, Charlie co-wrote and directed the short, animated film adaption, which won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, the Academy Award for Best Animated Short film and five Annie Awards including Best Special Production. Charlie’s hugely-anticipated second book, Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm, was published in October 2025 and revisits the world of his globally loved characters as they wander through the wilds.
An Evening with Charlie Mackesy invites audiences to experience a very special evening with the artist whose heartfelt words and drawings have touched millions around the world.
In accordance with Government legislation we display the total ticket cost at the top of each event webpage, these are inclusive of any mandatory additional fees such as restoration levies or booking fees.
Please note that Booking Fees apply on the following transactions:
Online: Tickets booked online are subject to booking fees when purchased through our website. E-tickets are emailed instantly on the account you have registered with DLWP, please check your Junk folder if they don’t arrive within 30 minutes. Customers can also download their tickets through our website within ‘My Account’.
Telephone: £3.50 per transaction + £2 postage or free collection at the Box Office.
In Person: There are currently no charges for booking tickets in person.
There is a £2 charge to post tickets.
We strongly recommend ticket buyers to take out Ticket Protection insurance with Secure My Booking available when you book your tickets at check out.
Please note that we are only able to post tickets within the UK. If you live overseas please select box office collection or print at home tickets. Tickets purchased for post will be sent 10 – 14 days before the show date.
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
Book online: Pre-show dining can be booked online as an add-on when purchasing tickets for selected events. You will be purchasing a ticket to guarantee your meal before the show.
Please note you must be a ticket holder to the show to book pre-show dining.
Already booked your tickets? If you’ve already booked tickets for a show and would like to add dining, please contact Box Office: boxoffice@dlwp.com
On the night: If you have pre-booked please come to the bar to order from the gig menu and sit at one of the reserved tables.
Please be aware that we operate no re-entry for gigs. This means that once you have entered the building, you cannot go out and re-enter. This policy is in line with other major music venues across the UK and put in place on police advice. No re-entry is clearly signposted as you come through security on the front door.
There is a fenced-off area on the terrace for people who go out to smoke or vape.
There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following:
The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel and Spa
Situated on a private beach with uninterrupted views of the English Channel, this immaculately restored four-star hotel is just a 10-minute drive from De La Warr Pavilion. Receive 10% discount on rooms* from Sunday to Thursday (excluding Fridays and Saturdays) using the promo code DLWP. BOOK NOW.
*Offer available until 31 March 2026 (blackout dates apply). Free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. Paid partnership with The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel & Spa.
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 10pm. After this time parking is free.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
If you have specific access needs for a daytime visit or for a bookable event, please email customerservice@dlwp.com or call 01424 229111
Current facilities are:
- Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building (not in the carpeted area of the Café Bar)
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events – please note that currently our balcony seating is not accessible for wheelchairs/walkers.
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.
A limited number of assistance tickets are available for each live event. Please email customerservice@dlwp.com or call the box office on 01424 229111 to book.