Eastbourne arts and theatre expert passes away

Emeritus Professor John Pick, who co-authored the definitive work on Eastbourne’s historic Royal Hippodrome, died in hospital on January 24 at the age of 83.

His funeral has already taken place but friends and family have paid tribute to what they describe as his remarkable life.

Before retiring to Eastbourne, Mr Pick worked extensively in education and the arts and was founding professor of Europe’s first Department of Arts Policy and Management at City University in London. He taught and worked as an arts consultant in many different countries.

He had a lifelong interest and involvement in the theatre and theatre management, writing several books about the industry.

On settling in Eastbourne, Mr Pick recognised the importance of the Royal Hippodrome, which was designed by the leading Victorian theatre architect C J Phipps.

Mr Pick worked with Mark Jones to produce ‘Mr Phipps Theatre - the Sensational Story of Eastbourne’s Royal Hippodrome’ and he frequently gave talks about the theatre in Seaside Road and conducted tours.

He was an authority on music hall and his family say his talent as an entertainer was seen when he ‘chaired’ music hall revivals at the theatre.

Mr Pick served for a spell as chairman of the Eastbourne Society and with his experience in the arts world, he sought to persuade Eastbourne Borough Council of the need for a new cultural strategy.

He became seriously ill in 2013 after suffering Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare and serious condition that affects the nerves, and spent his remaining years in a wheelchair.

This did not hinder his writing skills however, and he produced his autobiography, Ebb Tide, a locally-centred thriller called Masque of Blood, and a critique of the Brexit process.

His wife Ann passed away in 2011 and he is survived by his son Martyn, daughter Cath, their partners, and grandchildren Bonnie and Mckenzie.