“A vibrant hub where Brighton’s historic charm meets the captivating world of performing arts.”
There’s a decent choice and variety as usual at The Actors in Brighton furing the fringe with over 50 events across the month..
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For theatre lovers we are happy to highlight a few choices for you.
Xquenda “is the story of an indigenous young woman victim of a politically driven murder from a rural community in Oaxaca, Mexico, and her search for truth after the disappearance of her best friend as no one seems to care due to their social and economic positions. Through letters written by her while she’s protesting and questioning what’s happening around her, we get to know her life, and her love and connection with her ancestors, specially with her Ñaa (Mum) and Abuela (Grand mother); her traditions and culture, and the magic of her town, that although beautiful, not necessarily fair for women. But most important, we get to know the voices that like hers, weren’t listen and were lost in time. Her protest is through her Poems. Her weapon is her words.”
For a new piece of solo theatre, I Bought A Flip Phone is about “loneliness, spending too much time on your phone and feeling as though you are waiting for your life to start.” It is performed by Panos Kandunias.
Kitsch Theatre are back at the Fringe and bring White Woman Ket Play, ” a new play that analyses, psychoanalyses and takes the absolute mickey out of the modern theatrical form. Theatre snobs will love this. And so, too, will some normal people.”
For a devised piece of theatre basedf on real life experience, Natasha Stanic Mann, The Return “follows a girl’s flight from her war-torn country in search of safety and belonging. For justice and freedom. Now, having settled and found a home in Britain, history comes back to haunt her as she finds herself fighting the same battles again, thirty years later.”
Transgender & Neurodivergent Theatre & Film Production company Achy Bits Productions comes to The Actors with The Elagabalia, “Founded by Rose Bruford-trained actor Merlin Stevens, Achy Bits Productions brings new writing to stage and screen. Based in London, Achy Bits has made work in England, Scotland and the United States, receiving critical acclaim and award nominations. For most Achy Bits projects the team is majority-neurodivergent and majority-transgender, providing an important environment of support and solidarity and bringing new modes of storytelling to forefront.”
Philippa Drawson’s award-winning Charatcer Flaw billed as “an unapologetically neurodiverse and queer comedy” and “a hilariously visceral account of her experience with ADHD and queerness”
Disquiet Collective’s the anatomy of pain invites us “a visceral blend of internal monologue, music, projections, and poignant poetry” to ” witness how intense pain, resilience, and vulnerability shape interpersonal connections, perspective, and even identity.”.
B*ST*RDS is a new two-hander musical comedy from Alternative Direction that “explores the crazy but very real possibility that Oliver Cromwell – the only man in British history to ban theatre – might have helped to invent musical theatre….”
For some comedy theatre, Sluts With Consoles is “an anarchic, high energy, dark comedy created to heal the edgy teenage ‘not-like-other-girls’ girl inside us all.” Brought by Dogmouth Theatre from Ready, the company describes itself as “a riot grrrl inspired theatre company which specialises in amplifying women’s voices and embracing feminine rage. Founded in 2019 by playwright and theatremaker Alice Flynn, Dogmouth began its’ life after receiving a grant from Farnahm Maltings’ No Strings Attached scheme. From humble beginnings, the company has grown to produce a variety of work, including plays, fringe shows and cabaret”
Jonathan Oldfield’s One Way Mirror is suppoered by a Brighton Fringe Trapeze Media Bursary 2024. “Come and join the ritual as we re-create the true story of a man living with a one way mirror in his living room.” The show is “a story about the art of people watching, built for extroverts, introverts and everyone in-between”
For “a one-person gay asexual romcom, finally telling the story about a part of the queer community that has been left out of the narrative for far too long” see Rob Cattanach’s Where do all the quiet gays go?“
The Untold story of a Gay Fairytale prince underpins Happily Ever Poofter from Rich Watkins Productions invites us to “Join Prince Henry – the only gay in the Kingdom – on his hilarious and heart- warming quest for true love! This award- winning theatrical spectacular features brilliantly reworked musical favourites such as “Some Day My Prince Will Cum”, “High Ho!” and “Just Come Out To The King!”, and has thrilled and entertained audiences across the world! And now it’s YOUR chance…” The company also bring Reclaiming Harry to the fringe… “You‘ve read the books and seen the movies. But the adventure has only just begun! For this year, Harry will embark on his most thrilling adventure ever! A fabulously queer quest! In the hopes of finding… a new writer.”
For some comedy theatre, Onsen’s Insertplay is “a meta clown farce comedy that explores the insanity of the creative process. Think ‘Dumb and Dumber’ meets ‘Groundhog Day’. Nonsensical jokes, clownish delivery and larger than life physicality ensure this whacky exploration of repetition vs imagination never has a dull moment” (Watch the trailer here).
Later in the Fringe, The Enfield Poltergeist from Act 284, is “a dramatisation of those events focusing on the human stories behind the lurid press headlines. Based on the true events of the infamous Enfield Poltergeist case, this is a journey of redemption, and the chance to lay old ghosts to rest.”
For something theatrically unique, Henriette Laursen’s Swipe, Life and Gate Number 5, is a ” lesbian love story between a white and a black immigrant. Told through a fusion of live theatre and films, you become a passenger on a hilarious and heartfelt journey from their first date to a cheeky, honest (sometimes too honest) loving relationship.” The uniqueness derives from there being “only one performer present on stage, whilst the other characters are projected through facetime, conversations and movies”.
Ella Skolimowski‘s Looking cis is “a conversation-changing satire investigating what we can and can’t say about gender when we know we’re being watched.”
If surreal clown comedy is your thing, Linda (?) (Ellie Brewster), “plays with elements of grotesque, whilst edging on hysteria, peppered with visceral images, music, tears, and laughter. This joyful comedy looks at how far women have been taught to cater to other people’s needs whilst looking good in pink.”
Our late evening cabaret and variety pick is Bebette’s Cabaret. “The Actors has a secret speakeasy and the Haus of Bebette’s is taking over. Home to all manner of Variety, Drag, Cabaret and Burlesque”
So there you have our current theatre choices for The Actors, With music, cabaret, comedy and other genres also on offer, you can’t really say you have done Brighton Fringe without decent helpings of whats on at The Actors. Look out for our choices from those other genres soon.
