If you are out and about on the streets of Brighton this May, you might be mistaken for thinking that Brighton Spiegeltent is Brighton Fringe. That is because this legendary venue hub has printed its own brochure and they are popping up all over the city. With the usual mix of cabaret, comedy, music, and theatre among the main genres on offer, it is a place to hang out, eat, drink and see a show or too.
We will be adding recommendations throughout the fringe but here are some to get you started…
Headliner must sees are Jonny Woo’s Big Summer Songbook, Camille O’Sullivan: Dreaming, and Bourgeois & Maurice Pleasure Seekers.
I want to see at Brighton Spiegeltent…
I want to see…
… something in the morning. Then see Herbie’s Jazz Breakfast
… a solo show show merging the circus with storytelling. Then see Gobbess
… a dark, solo clown show. Then see Man of a Thousand Farces
… a legendary cabaret performer. Then see Joe Black: Live at Brighton Spiegeltent
… cabaret performers attempting to perform while being sabotaged. Then see Cabaret Impedimenta
… some adult sketch comedy. Then see The Fannytasticals. Or see Biscuit Barrel: The 69 Sketch Show
… some award-winning physical theatre performance art. Then see Lucy Hopkins: Dark Mother
… a mass singalong of the hits from all your favourite musicals, with lyrics on the big screen & a live band. Then see Sing-a-long-a-musical
… . an interactive game show. Then see Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly
… an explosive evening of live music and dance. Then see Mana Dance X Mr Bongo
… a night of live music, circus, comedy, cabaret and DJ’s until the early hours. Then see Fail Better Presents Bigger is Better
… an award-winning comedy duo: Then see Stuff and Nonsense
… a music quiz. Then see Sounds Familiar Music Quiz
… some solo theatre. Then see Sex & The Sewer
… a dazzling extravaganza featuring top UK and international circus, cabaret and burlesque acts. Then see The Revolver Revue
… a pole dancing comedian. Then see Siân Docksey: Pole Yourself Together!
… a live action-packed spaghetti western comedy. Then see Sleeping Trees: Western?
I want to see something family friendly at the Brighton Spiegeltent…
I want to see…
… a balloon show. Then see The Giant Balloon Show
… some family friendly opera. Then see Madame Chandelier’s Night at the Opera
… some ensemble dance. Then see Ceyda Tanc Youth Dance
… some circus. Then see High Top Circus Showcase. Or see Spiegelcircus
… some unique, techy comedy theatre. Then see Foxdog Studios: Robo Bingo
… a brand new musical comedy theatre show. Then see The Puddle at the End of the World
… some pirate acrobats. Then see Arrr We There Yet?
More to come.
Letter from John
We just received this lovely letter from John Callaghan and had to share it with you…
Hello! I’m John Callaghan and once again I’m delighted to be performing my unusual electronic music cabaret at the Brighton Fringe. John Callaghan’s Cabaret Electro is on May 16th at the Spiegeltent Bosco, 6pm. It would be marvellous if you were there.
I can promise you a memorable and unique show, with unusual electronic music, thoughtful lyrics, and a theatrical presentation featuring ingenious costumes, specially-prepared videos and an energetic and whimsical style.
Tomás Ford described it as “it’s a bit like if Aphex Twin wrote British music hall songs… In a good way”. And Todolist gave me five stars and said “all you could desire from a gig. One of the most inspirational music acts we have ever experienced”. ★★★★★
Here’s a short video which might give you the idea: https://youtu.be/8aHoN3xKN5I
Brighton Fringe listing: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/john-callaghans-cabaret-electro/
COMEDY PREVIEW
Biscuit Barrel: The 69-Sketch Show
Local YouTuber DazzReviews presents TikTok-inspired live show
Daryl Reader (better known as DazzReviews; 460,000 subscribers) and James Horscroft (Finalist ‘David Nobbs Memorial Comedy Writing Award’ 2021) have written the latest Biscuit Barrel show with the TikTok generation in-mind. Taking classic sketch show conventions and trimming them to a snappier pace, their mission statement is to prove that live comedy can match the speed of its online counterparts.
‘An excellent comedy show.’ ★★★★ Broadway Baby (2022)
Having spent five years refining the format, Biscuit Barrel retains the same level of variety that a traditional sketch revue provides – slapstick, music, and even elements of horror. Featuring a living DVD screensaver, the ugly truth of Quorn-farming, and a classic cops-and-robbers running gag. The twist? The robber in question has broken into the production; stealing sound effects, characters, and an entire sketch’s dialogue.
Ten years after setting up his channel, which has gained almost 100 million lifetime views, Reader has had more than his fair share of what works for audiences in the online space. In ‘The 69-Sketch Show’, influences of YouTube series Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, ASDF Movie, and Aunty Donna can all be found. However, so can the cartoon violence of Laurel & Hardy and Looney Tunes.
Coming aboard Brighton Spiegeltent, as well as Gilded Balloon for Edinburgh Fringe, the Barrel are all set for their most ambitious year yet. In addition to James Horscroft and Daryl Reader, the cast consists of Capriella Hooper, Lily Maryon, and Harry Brown. The show is directed by Holly Meechan and Horscroft.
Biscuit Barrel are a comedy-orientated theatre company, which began at The University of Winchester in 2017. They are currently based in Bristol, and primarily produce the ’69-Sketch Show’ and their comedy-variety night ‘Biscuit Barrel’s Comedy Tin’. The group currently consists of James Horscroft, Capriella Hooper, Daryl Reader, Harry Brown, Holly Meechan, and Lily Maryon.
Show: Biscuit Barrel: The 69-Sketch Show
Company: The Biscuit Barrel
Venue: Brighton Spiegeltent (Old Steine)
Dates/Times: 20/05/2022 (6pm), 21/05/2022 (6pm, 9.30pm)
Tickets: £10 (full), £8 (concession), £9 each (Group of 10)
Website: www.biscuitbarrelcomedy.co.uk
Booking: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/biscuit-barrel-the-69-sketch-show/
