With over 1000 events to choose from, the biggest arts festival in England is set to take over Brighton for the month of May, running alongside the Brighton Festival.
Julian Candy , CEO of the Fringe company says: “ One third of the programme is by local artists , but it also features work from all over the Uk and the world – with 155 international events from 32 countries . In these changing and divided times the arts offer a space to both express and immerse ourselves- to entertain, challenge, unite and above all inspire “
Brighton Big Drag Pageant with its infamous judges and guest performers
The fireball that is David Hoyle with his all-singing , all-raging show
Les Explorateurs in a French cabaret burlesque
Gays in Space versus The Big Black Hole – a science fiction queer revelation
The History Bois – adventures drag king time
Drag chanteuse Miss Hope Springs
And of course the world-renowned Lady Boys of Bangkok in Flight of Fantasy
Continental Circus Berlin
The Brighton Lindyhoppers
Circus Abyssinia
30+ by Labelled? Dance Theatre – with a central theme of changing our perception of autism – part of the Fringe’s Freedom Season
Arthur Smith, Ben Pope, Christopher Bliss, Elly Shaw and Eddy Hare
Film offerings include 3 nights of short films from the Iris LGBT+ Film Festival , and from around the world the Nomad Short Films Festival. And a discussion event will consider the state of the arts in Brighton and Hove, chaired by Fringe reviewer Paul Levy.
Exhibitions include:
The Art of Migration
The Annual Brighton Spring Show from Katty McMurray and Kathryn Matthews
I Am More Than 2020 – exploring women and homelessness
And the Art Yard Sale giving an opportunity to by from local artists
Music shows feature the works of among others Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel, Paul Simon, the Nashville scene, Suspiciously Elvis, and Sing-Along-a-Musical.
There is just so much theatre on offer it’s difficult to know how to select from its ranks but my tips include :
Bella Ella – featuring Nicky Mitchell as Miss Fitzgerald
Blowhole – a gay man aspires to be Billie Piper
The Canary and The Crow – grime and Hip Hop inspired gig theatre – a previous winner of the Fringe Award for Excellence
From Judy to Bette – the stars of Old Hollywood by triple award winner Rebecca Perry
Man In The Blue Box – all things Doctor Who-like
Marilyn The Star – solo mystery drama about the ill-fated film star
Make Up – a drag artist faces they truth behind his persona Lady Christina
Pip Uttton: Playing Maggie . A live audience with the Iron Lady
The Tragedy of Dorian Gray – Wilde’s classic Gothic tale moved to the 1960s
But take a chance and dive into the packed programme –you’re almost certain to be surprised and challenged.
Tickets on sale now, more info on the Fringe Website
