Still a bit dazzled at the array of theatre to choose from this May? Brighton and Hove News has sifted through to find you the gems – here are our recommendations!
All I See is You, Queer St Productions; The Warren: The Blockhouse, May 4-6.
Bobby works on Woolies’ record counter. Ralph dreams of being a teacher. One kiss and they’re hooked. But it’s 1967 and their love is illegal. A National Octagon prizewinner inspired by real accounts of queer life from 50 years ago.A multi-5-star winning play about illegal love in 1967 based on real life experiences of young gay men in the 60s. Huge critical acclaim could make this the perfect way to get into the swing of this year’s Fringe on the first weekend.
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/all-i-see-is-you-134403/
Thrown, Living Record Productions; Junkyard Dogs: The Doghouse, Brighthelm Centre May 8-11.
As the memories of former patients collide violently with her own, a child psychologist attempts to record what she’s spent her whole life trying to forget. But when time begins to loosen its grip, and her recording equipment begins to argue back, we hear the inner workings of a mind on the brink of collapse.
Did you hear it? When you went from yourself? Just so I can listen out for it. I want to know what sound it makes.
Winner of the Brighton Fringe Excellence Award 2018.
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/thrown-126510/
Watching, Ceci n’est pas de deux, Ester Nadzijl Projects; The old Courtroom, May 9-26 (four dates).
Part dance, part theatre, this dark and seductive performance of dancer Ester Natzijl with a life sized puppet was the Dutch Season Stand-out Show (The Argus) last year; it returns to Brighton Fringe as a Fringe Bursary Winner. Another chance to experience a mesmerising mix of puppetry, theatre and dance, carving a tender, entrancing performance of horror and humour, with an animated and sometimes extremely evil avatar.
South East Dance Award 2018 Shortlisted Show.
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/watching-ceci-nest-pas-de-deux-117357/
My Left/Right Foot: The Musical, Birds of Paradise and National Theatre Scotland; Theatre Royal Brighton
This musical comedy masterpiece promises to leave you ‘breathless of laughter’. The local am-dram society is under pressure to comply with the equalities agenda so they plan to create a gripping show starring ‘the disabled’. What could be better than the Oscar-winning ‘My Left Foot’? The only snag? Well, they don’t have any disabled actors – but that never stopped Daniel Day-Lewis! In the world of amateur theatre, winning the one-act festival isn’t a matter of life and death – it’s much more important. Throw out political correctness, throw in a love triangle, and all the drama happens behind the curtains. After sell out success at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe, My Left Right Foot makes its maiden visit to Brighton Festival. Irreverent, uplifting and provocative, it is a must-see for lovers of humorous musicals.
https://brightonfestival.org/event/17456/my_left_right_foot_the_musical/
The Birth of Death, Directed by Yael Karavan, The Death Wife Project; The Warren: The Hat, May 15.
This promises to be a deeply moving and thought=provoking exploration of a taboo subject. By warmly weaving interactive improvisation with stunning physical imagery (directed by Yael Karavan) set to an evocative score, “Tremarco creates a remarkable space for artist and audience to explore thoughts and feelings around (death) the ultimate taboo. And is a thing of some wonder to observe” (Vicky Anderson).
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/the-birth-of-death-directed-by-yael-karavan-136048/
Silence, Teatr Biuro Podrozy; Black Rock (outdoor event) May 22-24
Poland’s Teatr Biuro Podrozy make their Brighton debut with this extraordinary large-scale spectacle, a moving insight into the lives of ordinary citizens trapped by war. Enduring constant incursions, endless humiliations and the ever-present threat of violence, we see the occupants of a city that could be anywhere and that feels very familiar from our daily news cycle. Under threat by soldiers roaring through their lives on motorbikes, intimidated by the extraordinary menace of flaming stilt walkers burning all before them, Teatr Biuro Podrozy use light, sound and pyrotechnics to conjure the visceral reality of war. However, this dystopian tale is also a moving celebration of the resilience of communities and their extraordinary capacity for survival.
Acclaimed for their seminal open-air production, Carmen Funebre, Teatr Biuro Podrozy return to the UK with this critically acclaimed sequel. To a soundtrack of plaintive cello and metallic riffs, this brave and experimental company once again remind us how fragile and yet how strong we are in the face of adversity.
https://brightonfestival.org/event/17483/silence/
The Last Rehearsal, the Last Company; The Warren: The Blockhouse, May 23-25
Backstage, minutes before their last rehearsal, an explosive debate emerges among the actors: their director has abandoned the play. Will this crisis destroy their faith in art or is this dangerous confrontation, in itself, their best artwork yet?
‘Last Rehearsal’ is a cross-disciplinary, new writing piece by Maria J Andrade, inspired by the poem ‘Mudanza’ by the acclaimed Chilean writer Alejandro Zambra. The play invites the audience to witness the backstage of theatre, where tragedy and comedy melt into each other to create an electrifying and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/last-rehearsal-135215/
Clean, Different Theatre/Sweet Productions; Sweet@The Mayo May 25-27th.
Sam Chittenden’s ‘Clean’ tells the tales of 7 women in the Laundry Hill area of Brighton from 1870-2020. It explores local history, mental illness, abuse, sexuality, suffrage, & sistership. It highlights what has changed – and hasn’t – in 150 years.
With original live music, ‘Clean’ is staged in what was once a drying field of the Mayo Laundry.
Different Theatre create intimate work with a strong theatricality. Past shows include ‘Metamorphosis’, ‘Sary’, and ‘So You Say’.
“Magical story-telling & a poetic serenity in the face of the dark” (Fringe Review).
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/clean-134600/
La Luna, Kriya Arts; Sussex Square May 4-26 (four dates).
Part theatre, part workshop, part ritual, this is the latest participatory event from the inventively original Kriya Arts. ‘A ritualistic celebration of each moon phase throughout the marvellous month of May. The dark moon welcomes in the festival, setting our intentions for the month ahead. With the waxing moon we’ll builds these dreams, reaching juicy fruition at the full moon. And then… With the waning moon… We will reflect. Each is a stand alone ceremony or you could come to all four.’
https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/la-luna-135853/
