Brighton Fringe 2020

 

 

 

 

 

1st – 31st October 2020

In a year in which we, the public, and fringe theatre were both locked down, how do things stand in October 2020? Brighton Fringe announced the postponement of the May Fringe and boldly set out a hope to be back in the Autumn.

Well, here we are and there certainly is a fringe, scaled down, and both online and back in physical space.

Here you can find essential information, recommendations, previews and interviews throughout the 1-31st October when the Fringe is running. Welcome back, to you, and to Brighton Fringe.



Essential links

Visit the Brighton Fringe web site.

Find out what’s on.

Read their Covid safety advice.

Join them on Facebook.

Follow them on Twitter.

View them on Instagram.

Watch them on YouTube.

Podcast

Listen to our latest Fringe in Review Podcast. In the second part of the podcast, we spoke to Fringe director Julian Caddy about Brighton Fringe during the year of lockdown…
Podcast

 



I want to see … some Fringe in the physical world…

Here are our picks for Fringe in ‘Covid-secure’ indoor and outdoor performance spaces…

I want to see…

… an outdoor ballet. Then see Alice in Wonderland: The Ballet

… some comedy, storytelling, a show about shyness. Then see The Twelve Days of Christmas: How I Kicked Shyness in the Baubles

…  the UK’s first openly neurodiverse comedy/performance/poetry night. Then see Lava Elastic

… a solo piece with a Shakespearean theme. Then see Toby Belch (is Unwell)

… an evening of performance, music and choral singing from an award-winning, Brighton-based company.. Then see Savage Beauty

… an evening of new act comedy, stars of the future! Then see Insantitized

… a taboo-busting multimedia performance, celebrating menstruation. Then see Blood, Glorious Blood! 

… a powerful solo theatre piece about bullying. Then see Bully

… the touching parable of two lonely giants on opposite sides of an ocean, performed by an international company of world-class artists, puppeteers and musicians. Then see Anytime The Wind Can Change

… some late afternoon comedy on the world’s longest serving monarch. Then see Amazing Adventures of Her Majesty at 90+

… a late evening comedy hit from the Edinburgh Fringe. Then see Des Kapital: Better Red Than Dead

… some afternoon comedy, an hour of stand up with three Brighton based comics. Then see How’s Your Father

… some early evening solo comedy. Then see Daphna Baram: Just Me, Then

… some character comedy. Then see Paul Merryck: Local Businessman Unrepentant
By Paul Merryck

… a show that fuses spoken word, clowning and puppetry. Then see Spillage!

… some evening theatre, a gripping, high-tension drama that follows the honeymoon from hell. Then see Caravan of Love

… the circus. Then see The Circus of Horrors or see  Continental Circus Berlin

… a contemporary dance and video art play that addresses gender identity issues as a way to explore and develop a creative universe. Then see Where Mermaids Are Born

… some classic science-horror. Then see Jekyll & Hyde: A One-Woman Show

… some outdoor musical theatre. Then see You Can Do Anything: a musical concert

… some theatre, a psychological thriller. Then see Unquiet Slumbers: The Haunting of Emily Brontë

… a brand new show presents a humorous mix of family history, Central Asian realpolitik and the fantastic true story of the greatest Victorian explorers you’ve never heard of. Then see Slightly Famous in Kazakhstan

… a solo theatre piece that  charts the life and times of legendary actor William Charles Macready. Then see Drama King



I want to see … some Fringe online…

Here are our recommendations for Fringe performance online, live and recorded…

I want to see…

… some physical theatre, a ” visual nose dive into how we develop, modify and change”. Then see To Have and To Hold

… a multimedia piece, “a playful takedown of masculinity and its shadowy cheerleaders.” Then see Ram of God

…  some theatre to music, a debut by an award-winning author, about a ten month migraine. Then see Train Lord

… gripping tales of devastation, loss and hope; all sent in from around the world. Then see A Last Gasp

… an online, multimedia scrollable story themed on lockdown. Then see 104 Days Later – a lockdown data story from ART/DATA/HEALTH and Caroline Beavon

… some cabaret, “a mixed bag of artists, writers, comedians and musicians for an experiment in intimate entertainment”. Then see Queers on the Fringe

… a crooner who sings classic songs from The Great American Songbook direct from his barber shop via Facebook Live video stream. Then tune into Brighton’s Singing Barber

… some comedy for the whole family. Then see Show Up, Kids! Interactive Family Comedy

… a world theatre premiere, early in the day. Then see Roll It There Róisín

… some live spoken word. Then see Benevolent Rogues



Brighton Fringe Link Collage

Whether online or physical world, this is our much loved visual way to find a show to see at Brighton Fringe. Simply click on an image that draws you in, and then you’ll find a show to see..

 



THEATRE PREVIEW

A Caravan Arrives From Prague 

Caravan of Love returns to Brighton, having enjoyed a successful run at Prague Fringe Festival in 2018. Written by Tom Daldry, who Traverse Theatre have described as ‘a bold, original voice’, the play is a dark psychodrama, that follows a claustrophobic caravan honeymoon in the West of Ireland.

At times grotesque, at times funny, the resultant tensions, power play and vulnerability bring an extra resonance in the time of pandemic – when more and more people are feeling a sense of being trapped, and when connection and communication with others can seem unreachable.

The play is about a craving for connection, but an inability to realise that, and the isolation that follows.

The play has been described ‘bold, clever, edgy and finely nuanced theatre writing that takes an audience to the edge, and revels in it!’ by Prague Fringe Festival.

The production is staged by Theatre Nation – a Hastings based alternative theatre company. Theatre Nation specialise in physically-focused work, and are currently collaborating with the David Glass Ensemble on a three-year project on Beckett. As well as staging Waiting for Godot and Endgame, a devised piece of theatre, grown from community input, will be created – which Tom will dramaturg.

Caravan of Love plays at Sweet Venues 5th-11th October at 7.30pm

Booking info here.



LIVE COMEDY PREVIEW – INSANITIZED

New Comedians make Festival Debut at the Brighton Festival 2020.

The five new up and coming comedians ready to perform live at this year’s Brighton Fringe Festival in their one-hour showcase: Insanitized.

Five new comics take to the stage for their first ever festival with their unique insights into the world.

Thea Jaffe, Donna Landy, Alex Trashley, Peter Innocente and Victoria Shortley have been kicking up a storm on various Zoom gigs across the globe and now you can see them perform live and in person.

The MC of the hour-long show will be comedian and author Nik Coppin and looks set to be a fun filled hour.

You may need to wash your hands after as no doubt Insanitized will make you feel dirty and grubby but fully satisfied.

Having met through learning the comedy ropes through the Laughing Horses Comedy Classes, the Insanitized comedians decided to come together and put their acts together to create this one-hour show.

Each of the comedians will put on 10 minutes of their finest material for the audiences to enjoy for their festival debut.

Jay Sodagar, comedian and Laughing Horse comedy teacher who started these five on their comedy journeys said “These are the strongest new acts I have seen, they will be stars of the future.”

Insanitized will be performing over two weekends at the Brighton Fringe (Fri 2nd – Sun 4th Oct and Fri 16th – Sun 18th Oct) at The Caxton Arms.

Booking and venue details…

Caxton Arms, 36 North Gardens, Brighton BN1 3LB

Fri 2nd Oct @ 8:00pm, Sat 3rd Oct @ 8:00pm, Sun 4th Oct @ 6:45pm, Fri 16th Oct @ 6:45pm, Sat 17th Oct @ tbc, TSun 18th Oct @ 6:45pm

The Caxton Arms offers itself as a Covid-safe venue with social distancing.

Find out more visit https://www.facebook.com/poshtrannie

To book tickets visit brightonfringe.org.



COMEDY PREVIEW

Joe Angella’s Top Three Comedy Recommendations

Joe Angella, FringeReview’s comedy reviewer and blogger offers his top three to see at this year’s Brighton Fringe.

Robyn Perkins – Comedy For The Curious

Live streamed. Science based comedy, by a talented and clever comedian. This uses humour to teach you something you almost certainly didn’t know.

Aidan Goatley – Queasy Rider

This Brighton based comedian is clever, thoughtful and most importantly funny. I wouldn’t normally recommend a work-in-progress show for a festival but in the hands of a talented comedian you sometimes find that they can be better and more interesting than the finished article.

Das Kapital: Better Red Than Dead

A title that is almost designed to put you off. The mix of clever comedy, ingenious songs and an unusual insight into left wing politics is a revelation.

 



ARTS PREVIEW

 

5 Spectacular Art5 Gallery Artists will Exhibit Fabulous Art Pieces during the Fringe Festival 2020

ART5 Gallery (formerly art at five) is a contemporary gallery situated in the heart of Brighton in the famous South Laines.

ART5 Gallery represents a diverse selection of national and international artists. The gallery showcases an extensive range of original paintings, limited edition prints and ceramics at affordable prices in a friendly and informal environment.

ART5 Gallery is delighted to be showcasing 5 fabulous contemporary artists during the Brighton Fringe festival. With a different artist takeover each week, it’s the perfect time to see fresh new collections and explore the contemporary art scene in Brighton!

1st – 7th October  – London based artist KENG WAI LEE for BAGMAN AND ROBIN ART uses flowers, living organisms, birds, etc and juxtaposes them into something fun creating a story, inspired in his past and his present.

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8th – 14th October  – JONATHAN STEWARDSON’S paintings capture the mood of popular streets and cities, mainly at night when they are empty, creating a striking piece each time. Each painting has a story behind it.

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15th – 21st October – MARION MCCONAGHIE is inspired by the decadence of the Renaissance and History of Art, this can be sensed in her beautiful works full of texture and rich colour.

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22nd – 28th October – MARK MUNROE-PRESTON  feels drawn to incredible trees of the forests he visits, captures them with his camera and then digitally alters them to create an atmosphere of drama and beauty in each piece.

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29th October – 4th November – CAROLINE WRIGHT’S radiant and full of energy waves and abstracts are inspired by the ocean and beach where she has her studio and home, each piece meticulously made with clean beautiful colours.

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Join them all during these free exhibitions throughout the Brighton Fringe Festival, running from 1st October to 4th November 2020.

More details:  http://art5galleryshop.com/



We’ll be adding more  previews and recommendations throughout the Fringe so check back regularly.