Views, previews and interviews from Brighton Fringe, one of the world’s largest and unique arts festivals.
Paul Levy talks to writer and comedian GIllian English about 10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew. Gillian wonders at our over-focus on these ancient plays and focuses her own comedic attention on the archaic views offered in this particular creation of the Bard. ’10 Things I Hate […]
Levy talks to Danny Rodgers about Bin & Gone which is back at the Fringe after success last year in Brighton and then around the country. “The son of a Saturday night favourite. A father who performed with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and the son who ended up with nothing, penniless, […]
Paul Levy talks to roleplay game fan and show maker David McIver about Teleport. “Come! Escape into the Kingdoms of Ashgorn, where you can level up, complete quests, defeat monsters and watch a very cheeky young man doing some really stupid character comedy. That’s right my friends, it’s another big […]
Paul Levy talks to comedian Rajiv Karia about Jack Harris and Rajiv Karia – The Squeeze. “Squeeze in with two talented up-and-coming comedians. A teacher by trade, Jack (Amused Moose finalist 2018), “Funny bones” (Chortle) tells you how to deal with everything a classroom can throw at you. Difficult questions. […]
Paul Levy talks to Luke Olfield from locally based Unmasked Theatre. Unmasked Theatre bring two shows to this year’s Brighton Fringe. Further Education is their own creation, a winner from the highly successful Brighton Scratch Night at Rialto Thatre. “1985: Frank the miner likes doing his job and reading the Sun. Unfortunately, Maggie is after […]
One Beautiful, Enormous, Historical Flat Pack? Paul Levy talks to Izzy Tyndall Bristow and Sam Rush about Brighton Spiegeltent at Brighton Fringe 2019. This perennial Brighton Fringe hub goes up quicker than you might think. This year it is as packed as ever with Fringe varety. Paul Levy caught up […]
BREXIT at Brighton Fringe – Darth Vader for PM
So here I am on a Wednesday afternoon turning into evening in less than an hour staring blankly at my computer screen. What on earth shall I write about? I ask myself. I mean, let’s face it, in theory I should write about our new show coming to Brighton Fringe at the end of the […]
I enjoyed a relaxing preview this morning of the Fringe event the Beach Box Sauna team are putting on this festival. Steve, a new disciple to the art of the Aufguss sauna ritual was there to give me a taster. I was already a fan of the Beach Box sauna, down on the East side […]
Brighton’s Burger Brothers – a Review
Most stories of people’s favourite burgers are probably quite unlikely to feature Brighton. More likely are tales of that legendary burger devoured and forever imprinted in memory from various states in America. I, too, had it not been for a visit to Burger Brothers, would be in this category. I have many a fond memory […]
Step lightly, step carefully and watch what you pack
Most of the large Fringe venues are close to each other, within 10-15 minutes walking distance. The Brighton Spiegeltent, The Warren, Sweet Venues, Junkyard Dogs, Komedia and The Rialto can all be easily strolled to. Do take care you don’t get run over, by a car or a bike. Also sort your tickets in advance […]
In a fringe show that explores getting older: Paul Levy talks to acclaimed writer, musician and performer Nigel Osner about Too Young to Stay In, Too Old to Go Out! How did the show come into being? How does Nigel create his songs and many unique characters? “Nigel Osner brings back […]
Paul Levy talks to co-author and director Amy Whitington from Gauntlet Theatre about devised theatre piece My Life Closed Twice which she co-wrote with writer and performer Joseph Hand. “After being diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20, Joe’s life becomes a cacophony of visions, voices and questionable media stereotypes. From the […]
Paul Levy talks to actor Tom Silverton from National Production Company and Follow The Thread Theatre about Black Peter. “Where do monsters come from? Do they exist only in stories, or do they live amongst us, watching, waiting? ‘Black Peter’ is a retelling of the Bavarian tale of the Krampus. […]
Paul Levy talks to award-winning writer Doug Deans from Put the Book Down about his new play Insolence at the Fringe Insolence, which plays at The Warren. Doug talks about how he writes, his reaction on entering the rehearsal room, and the vital role of the director and […]
Paul Levy talks to Tom Brace about Tom Brace: Brace Yourself (It’s Magic Time), a family magic show at The Warren at Brighton Fringe 2019. Tom shares talks about how he creates his family-friendly magic shows, the kinds of tricks he likes to do, and how it al […]
Dance and Physical Theatre at Brighton Fringe 2019
Dance and Physical theatre is one of those categories that doesn’t really work. As a result a lot of physical theatre gets listed in other categories such as comedy or theatre. Here are a few of our recommendations to help you find your way through the mire. What would you like to see? I […]
Our Recommendations for Day One at Brighton Fringe 2019
Brighton Fringe 2019 swings officially into action today and, unsurprisingly, there is far too much to choose from. Here are a few of our recommendations to help guide you through the vast amount of choice. That said, our recommendations are just a small part of plenty of other shows well worth seeing. So, what do […]
The Other Venues: Our Guide to the Real Fringe at Brighton Fringe
There are many smaller venues at Brighton Fringe each year. You may not find bars, or a burger for a tenner. But you will find site-specific shows, shows and events in cafes, in houses and even deep underground. Here are some of our recommendations… I want to see… Coming soon for 2020. We’ll […]
Paul Levy talks to Guy Lloyd about his new solo comedy show, Guy Lloyd: Radio Blah Blah which premieres at Brighton Fringe 2019. Combining stand-up, storytelling, film, character acting and plenty of truthful reflection, Guy Lloyd talks about how he made this very personal fringe show. I saw a preview of this at the Marwood […]
FINALLY! I get to work on my show! It’s rehearsal week, first three days at my house, then off to St Gabriel’s Pimlico for two workshop performances. It’s all about getting Honey’s Happening in tip-top condition for Brighton Fringe and beyond, working with a new Director, Oliver Senton, and a new co-star Rhiannon Vivian. What […]
There’s a lot of sketch comedy at this year’s Fringe. Here’s our guide… I want to see… a sketch show full of heart, songs and massive, massive shoulder pads. Then see Northern Power Blouse … very late night sketch comedy, fast-paced sketches and a banging playlist. Then see Hot Mess: Dirty Stop Outs … an […]
If you are thinking “Whose Line is it Anyway”, the Channel 4 improv TV comedy game show that is still improv-ing on to this day, then you are usually well served at Fringe Festivals. From the usual audience suggestion format for a range of scenes, stories, songs and so on performed unscripted before you […]
In no particular order, here are five comedy shows that should be highlights of the Brighton Fringe comedy programme. All Things Brighton Beautiful The Warren: The Nest, 6-7, 31 May, 1-2 June 19:40, 22 May 21:10, £10 or Under 26s £8.50. After picking up a gong at last year’s Brighton Fringe Awards for her homage […]
De ja vu or firm favourites returning to Brighton Fringe 2019? Victoria Nangle picks out a few tried and tested comedy successes, shows that already have a following and have audiences coming back for more each time. Shit-Faced Shakespeare/Shit-Faced Showtime The Warren: The Hat, Shakespeare: 6-22 May, Showtime: 23-30 May, 21:45, various prices For years […]
This one one of my favourite Brighton cafes. Can you guess where it is.Here in the week or so before Brighton Fringe, I am at a preview show. Preview week, or Week Zero as it is known at the humungous Edinburgh Fringe is normal fare. In Brighton preview shows are a lot rarer. What are […]
Comedy – Work-in-Progress shows Every year the Brighton Fringe benefits from its position several months shy of the biggest arts showcase in the world – the Edinburgh Fringe’s August – and stocks up on works in progress from the great and the good of comedy. This is a chance to see the half-formed shows, a […]
11a Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS (map) Box Office: 01273 201 801 The Old Market is a leading arts venue in the city of Brighton and Hove. Their rich programme covers all genres and the quality is consistently high with plenty of original and ground-breaking work on offer. This year it looks more innovative […]
The Old Courtroom is a uniqe venue at the Fringe. With home made cakes and cookies on offer, alongside a programme that includes film, theatre and music, it is well worth a visit. “Caan, Dev, Luke & Tony welcome you to the Old Courtroom” Essential Links Visit the Old Courtroom web site Find out what’s […]
Paul Levy talks to actors Ben Pritchard and Culann Smyth about A Steady Rain by Keith Huff whuch plays at the Lantern Theatre in Brighton during Brighton Fringe. “This gritty, witty piece explores complex relationships formed on the tough streets of Chicago. With biting dialogue and a rainbow of emotions, we […]
In recent years Komedia has been one of Brighton’s foremost comedy, cabaret and music venues. There’s a smattering of theatre in their studio space from time to time. In May, the programme blends regular nights with Fringe-specific offerings. What you get at Komedia is quality, variety and plenty of […]
Laughing Horse comedy, pioneers and stalwarts of free fringe are back with a packed schedule in 2019. You only pay on the way out. So it goes… This is affordable, free-spirited, fresh fringe. Essential Links Visit the Laughing Horse Brighton web site and browse the shows Find a venue See what’s on at the Caroline […]
Otherplace run The Warren each year at Brighton Fringe, offering a vast amount of theatre, comedy, music and much more. Essential Links Fine out more about Otherplace here Browse this year’s programme Check out the venues Join them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter View them on Instagram I want to see… at The Warren […]
4 Princes Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1RD (map) 01273 273870 Essential Links Visit the Marlborough Theatre web site Find out what’s on Find out more about the venue Get directions to the venue The Marlborough Theatre been part of Brighton’s performing history since c.1791. Built 18 years before the Theatre Royal, it is the […]
Though not strictly a theatre venue, the Latest Music Bar does play host to occasional theatre, regular comedy and cabaret. There are four shows on offer this Fringe but look out for last minute additions as well. Essential Links Visit the Latest Music Bar’s web site Join them on Facebook Here […]
Old Steine Pleasure Gardens Brighton BN1 1GY “Discover cabaret, comedy, circus, theatre, dance, spoken word, music and Family programmes that are out of this world!” Brighton Spiegeltent takes up the challenge to fill the Old Steine with cabaret, comedy, circus and music delight. But there’s much, much more with shows for children. live literature and film on […]
1 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3FE Box Office: 01273 725230 The Rialto has firmly established itself as a theatre venue in Brighton, with a diverse programme year-round, and a packed programme of comedy, cabaret, literature and theatre in May. Locally produced work, touring shows and plenty of new writing abound this Fringe. […]
Here is Tom’s first guest blog post for FringeReview Tom, founder of Tom Corradini Teatro, brings Brexit to Brighton Fringe. One country, one family. United in blood, divided in spirit. June 2016. A few days before the Brexit referendum. A father and son debate their stance on the vote. […]
It’s a bit of a cliché that performers live just for those few moments on stage. There are many highs, which admittedly include a massive laugh followed by thunderous applause but much as we love and need our audiences, it’s not always about you. A great rehearsal is a thousand times more fun than a […]
Here at Unmasked Theatre we’re preparing two productions for this year’s Brighton Fringe. It’s all pretty manic, with carpets covered in flyers, scripts piled precariously on most of our furniture and a growing collection of bizarre props accumulating in airing cupboards. The two shows we’ve chosen this year could scarcely be more different and we […]
Brighton Fringe Venue Focus: Sweet Venues in Brighton
Sweet Venues, a stalwart venue at the Edinburgh Fringe hosts venues in Brighton as well with new spaces and plenty of theatre, cabaret, comedy and music. And the good news is that Sweet isn’t only in Brighton for the Fringe. Some of its venues here are now year-round Sweet venues. Sweet! […]
“I can’t believe how much WORK goes into making a show. I mean before you got into this, I thought performers just rocked up, did their stuff and went home”. My eyes narrow, as husband adds hurriedly…”I mean I knew there was SOME extra work involved…..” The truth is, when I started, I had no […]
There may be a dearth of political shows at fringe festivals (including Brighton Fringe) but there is no shortage of create work across all genres examining, exploring, describing and portraying what it i to be human, to be alive, the struggle of life, of staying well, sane and purposeful. Many fringe shows ask deep, quirky […]
Venue Focus at Brighton Fringe: Junkyard Dogs
At the Brighthelm Centre on North Road for the Fringe. Junkyard Dogs is now an established and proper Fringe venue. theatre, comedy and other genres, and this year it has moved. They now offer a new space at the Brighhelm Centre on North Road as well. Check out The Howler here. Look at the Doghouse […]
And why not start this blog with a celebration of The Fool, otherwise known as the Patron Saint of Fringe Artists? He’s the young chap in fancy garb and yellow boots on Card 0 of the Tarot Deck – with which I assume many Brighton residents are familiar. Open armed, he stands on a cliff […]
Venue Focus at Brighton Fringe: The Purple Playhouse Theatre
36 Montefiore Road, Hove,East Sussex,BN3 6EP A theatre with café/bar, fully accessible and a 10 minute walk from the Seven Dials. There’s a small but interesting choice of shows on this Fringe. The Purple Playhouse Theatre is a true Fringe venue – accessible but not slap bang in the centre of the city. It stages […]
Getting Political at Brighton Fringe
Political theatre and art making is often woefully lacking at Fringe festivals. I have always assumed and hoped that the Arts is a disruptive influence on politics in society. Sadly not. Once again there are very fews shows attempting to explore and address political questions, let alone disrupt or protest. But there are a few… […]
We trawl through the Fringe programme, previews and press releases and are pulling out phrases and sentences that intrigue, inspire and interest us. We link that to the performers’ track records of work. So, use your intuition and click on a phrase that piques your own curiousity and perhaps you’ll find a show you want […]
If you are looking for classic writers and plays at Brighton Fringe, there are plenty to choose from this year. From modern to ancient, I am impressed with some of the offerings. Some are new on the Fringe, others are making a return, and more than a few are stopping off from other Fringes, particularly […]
A different way to explore Brighton Fringe, our Link Collage contains shows we recommend presented in the form of images. All of the images are taken from the Fringe programme. If you are tired of words, words, words, take a more visual approach. These are shows we have seen, or companies whose work we highly […]
Paul Levy guides you through the Brighton Fringe jungle. The Brighton Fringe Programme is huge. Hopefully publications such as Fringe Review help you to navigate your way through it. Even then it can feel overwhelming what to see, especially if you are on a limited budget […]
The international “seasons” which have become a staple of the larger Fringe festivals certainly involve a bit of international travel for some of the heads of those festivals. Is it all self-indulgent, or something more? the exchanges have certainly seen some fine and diverse fringe work arrive on our shores that would have probably not […]
Paul Levy offers some highlights and recommendations for shows that explore and celebrate icons and legends. Fringe Theatre has always been curious, celebratory and a fair bit opportunistic. Legends from entertainment, the arts and history are explored across the genres, to some success and occasional disaster. Here are a few of our highlights. In […]
Paul Levy offers some early recommendations for returning shows and companies at Brighton Fringe 2019. A vast number of shows and companies return to the Fringe, some year after year. Some bring their show back again and again, whilst others bring new work. Here are FringeReview we tend […]
Sometimes big news is conspicuous by its absence. Year after year, Brighton Fringe has trumpeted its growth. Like most Fringe Festivals, growth seems to be the golden dream – perpetual, frenzies and vital. It certainly isn’t vital to anyone other than the Fringe leadership, and many of the pathologically growing venues who gobble up the […]
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