Brian Butler previews the 2019 Brighton Fringe programme, which this year has the theme Dare to Discover.
BRIGHTON Fringe organisers will hope to repeat last year’s record-breaking attendances of over half a million with a season of theatre, music, dance, cabaret, comedy and much else that aims to show that the arts are accessible to everyone and can be discovered by anybody.
Last year’s Fringe brought nearly £16 million into the local economy, with over 4,000 events and performances. This year promises more with over 200 free events, and an accent on people with access needs, including those with visible and invisible disabilities.
Julian Caddy, CEO of Brighton Fringe said: “Brighton Fringe continues not only to grow, but also to establish itself as the home for the greatest range, depth and breadth of creative work of any festival in England. This is the product of the incredible contribution made by the participants and venues to help make this happen.There is truly something for everyone so we dare you to discover what is on offer.”
Councillor Dee Simson, Mayor of Brighton and Hove, added: “As well as congratulating local performers on the hard work they’ve put in, I’d like to applaud and extend a warm welcome to the international talent taking part in our Nordic and Dutch seasons this year, which are truly establishing Brighton Fringe as a leasing global arts festival.”
As well as hundreds of new offerings, some of last year’s Fringe award winners are returning, including Andrew Farr in his Edith Piaf Live at the Nimegue, and Oskar’s Amazing Adventure by Theatre Fideri Fidera.
The ever-popular Lady Boys of Bangkok will be back but in a new venue at King’s Gardens, on Hove lawns.
The international seasons will feature work from the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
And the highly popular Spiegeltent on the Old Steine will play host to, amongst others, Camille O’Sullivan, The Amazing Bubble Man, Bourgeois and Maurice Herbie’s Jazz Breakfast, Alfie Ordinary, and David Hoyle.
At the Old Market there will be 6 days of burlesque, comedy, dance, performance, theatre and virtual reality.
The Old Courtroom will feature The Milkman’s on His Way, a stage version of David Rees’ groundbreaking novel about growing up gay in the 1980’s .
Sussex Symphony Orchestra and soloists will present Heroes and Heroines – an evening exploring opera’s most dramatic men and women – stories of lust, passion, death and betrayal.
Brighton Fringe runs from May 3 to June 2.
To book tickets for all shows online, click here:
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