As arts and media networking event The Space enters its fifth year, organiser Wayne Imms tells Duncan Hall about some of the highlights of the first half-decade

The First Space Event

“The first The Space event was in May 2006, at the Brighthelm Centre in Queen’s Road, with Briggy Smale, who spent many years working on BBC Radio 1 as the main entertainment reporter.

“About a year and a half later she became one of our presenters with Lisa Holloway.

“No one gets paid to do this, not the organisers, the guests or the presenters. The guests can get over-night accommodation with Blanch House [in Atlingworth Street] and dinner at Bom Banes [in George Street]. Everyone just loves being a part of it.”

Popular guests

“One of the most popular was the director Nicolas Roeg. He has a very big following from all those films in the 1970s. It was our first event in the new location of The Basement. We had more than 100 people there.

“Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis was great, one of the first events we did in 2009 in our old home at the Latest Music Bar.

“And Steve Harley came down in April. He hasn’t had a hit in two decades, but he has a legion of very dedicated fans who follow him everywhere he goes.”

Personal favourites

“The actress Maxine Peake was everything you could want in a guest. She was really funny, with some excellent anecdotes, very honest and self-deprecating.

“Barry Cryer first came to us in 2008. We had been trying to get him to do The Space for ages. Briggy interviewed him, and it went so well we now call him Uncle Bazza. He’s a legendary figure in British comedy.

“He came back again last year, and he will be at our event at the Duke Of York’s Picturehouse [in Preston Circus, Brighton, on Sunday, July 25] to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Peter Sellars.

“Other great guests we’ve had twice include director Tim Pope and [music producer] William Orbit.

“I also really enjoyed [journalist] Jon Ronson – some of the best guests are those who can make us all laugh, and he was one of the funniest – and the actor Colin Salmon who was such a warm and friendly person, and very inspiring.”

Biggest disappointments

“I was a big fan of Star Wars, and I had always been aware of Gary Kurtz, the producer of the first two films. I was very pleased when he agreed to be a guest, and he was very funny in places but didn’t seem that warm as a person. It was a little bit disappointing for me.

“Someone who didn’t make it on as a guest was Fay Weldon because she wanted us to pay for a driver which we couldn’t afford. Germaine Greer also wanted a fee, and what we could offer wasn’t anywhere near good enough for her.”

Dream guests

“If you ask people who they would like us to have on, Stephen Fry would be quite high on the list.

“I would also like to get Steven Spielberg and David Bowie.

“And Tom Baker would be a joy. When I was eight my biggest obsessions were Star Wars and Dr Who. I have met him a couple of times, so I know he would be a great guest – he’s such a character!”

Coming soon

“At the moment we’ve got Mark Gatiss from the League Of Gentlemen [on Thursday, August 5], Noddy Holder from Slade, the film director Alan Parker and The Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who should be interesting as we have never had a political guest before, although we have tried!

“[Film-maker and comedian] Chris Morris has agreed to appear, but he hasn’t committed to a particular date yet. At the moment it looks like it will be some time next year.”

* This month’s The Space features special guests Chaz Janckel from The Block- heads and music critic David Quantick interviewed by Lisa Holloway.

The monthly raffle prizes include tickets to the Pet Shop Boys and Jeff Wayne’s War Of The Worlds at Brighton Centre and Greenbelt Festival 2010.

*Starts 7.30pm, tickets £7.50/ £6.50/£5. Visit www.thespace.me.uk