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Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT)
2022 Season Announcement

Season on sale: Wednesday 23rd February

BOAT is back and better than ever this summer! Following two years of significant disruption, BOAT makes up for lost time with a bumper 6-month summer season. For the first time, BOAT’s season opens in April, just in time for the Easter holidays.

There’s stand-up comedy, drag and music shows dotted throughout the season, with some returning favourites along with new faces. Family entertainment is also in abundance, with big names such as David Walliams’ Awful Auntie and Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, as well as original touring and local productions.

Some of the most exciting, up-and-coming theatre companies in the UK are programmed during Brighton Fringe in May, with everything from hard-hitting drama to laugh-out-loud comedies. Annual staples Brighton Little Theatre return with The Railway Children in August, as do Sarah Mann Company with Waiting For God. The Richard Bean classic One Man, Two Guvnors from Cue Fanfare, and the original family musical Battle Song from James Weisz are also appearing in the summer holidays.

It wouldn’t be an outdoor theatre without a healthy dose of Shakespeare, and this year there are four brilliant options: The Duke’s Theatre Company with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oddsocks with Hamlet (The Comedy), Changeling Theatre with Othello, and the very welcome return of Shakespeare’s Globe with Julius Caesar.

In addition to all of this, there’s improvisation, opera, musicals, dance and so much more. Tickets are available exclusively from BOAT’s website: www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk

Will Mytum, General Manager at BOAT said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to offer our biggest season to date this year. With over 80 different productions within a 6-month period, including many companies visiting us for the first time, we continue to push boundaries as Brighton’s premiere outdoor venue. We are committed to greater diversity and opportunity both on and off our stage, through championing bold, important work and keeping our ticket and bar prices as low as possible. The work in this year’s season has been carefully curated to appeal to the full breadth of our audience, as we continue to offer the best in outdoor entertainment.”

 BOAT’s 2022 summer season goes on sale at 10am on Wednesday 23rd February. The season will begin on Friday 8th April and run through until Sunday 25th September.

Circus Charity to Perform at Brighton Dome

Budding young circus performers are preparing to take to the stage at Brighton Dome this December, with help from professional artists from Circolombia.

Students from three local youth circus schools, The Circus Project, Teardrop Circus and Hightop Circus, will perform a ‘curtain raiser’ that will open Circolombia’s uplifting circus-concert Acelere during the venue’s Christmas programme.

In a series of workshops run by Brighton & Hove charity The Circus Project, members of Circolombia worked with groups of children and young people, aged between 10 and 18 years old, to create two short routines. Learning new skills such as acrobatics, dance and choreography to complement the aerial techniques that the schools teach, the students will showcase what they have learnt to a live audience each night.

Vicki McManus, Artistic Director of The Circus Project, commented:

“It’s been fantastic to bring circus students together from different schools to work on this amazing show. When companies like Circolombia come in to teach, the students can see what’s possible with the skills that they’re learning, it’s really inspiring and builds their confidence. They can’t wait to get on stage after all the time they haven’t had the chance to.”

Audience members at each show will have the opportunity to donate to The Circus Project, to support its vital work in the local community. Based at Hangleton Community Centre, they provide high quality circus classes and workshops for people of all ages, with the aim of fostering young talent, creating work for local artists and using circus as a tool for helping people who are experiencing personal difficulties.

Student Edie, aged 11, said:

“I’ve never done a performance this big, performing at Brighton Dome is a really big deal and I’m really excited to perform in front of that many people.”

Andrew Comben, Brighton Dome Chief Executive added:

“We’ve been delighted to support these workshops with The Circus Project, bringing an internationally renowned circus company to inspire and encourage a new generation of young circus artists here in Brighton. We hope audiences coming along to see Circolombia will show their appreciation by giving the students a big round of applause each night!”

Circolombia’s Acelere fuses exhilarating acrobatic feats with live Latin music, singing, dancing and rapping in an on-stage party that is ideal for families, a friends’ night out or an alternative festive celebration.

Acelere tickets start from £15, including family and group discounts and a special NHS staff offer.

Circolombia – Acelere

17 – 27 December 2021 (evening and matinees)
Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UE
£15-£23.50
NHS, family and group ticket offers available.

Book online: brightondome.org
Tel: 01273 709709
Ticket Office open Mon-Sat 10am-2pm

THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON’S NEW SEASON OUT NOW

Theatre Royal Brighton have a fantastic season packed with top quality entertainment and a fabulous choice of shows from the West End, which promise to be the perfect opportunity for escapism and fun this autumn.

Fans of musical theatre will be spoilt for choice this season as Theatre Royal Brighton welcome back Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Rocky Horror Show, plus Heathers The Musical, the black comedy rock musical based on the 1988 film will visit Brighton for the first time.

West End smash hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will also visit Brighton this Christmas.  The show stars Layton Williams and RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio/Roy Haylock as Loco Chanelle/Hugo. This funny, fabulous and feel good show, is a musical sensation for all the family.

For anybody looking to be moved to the edge of their seats there will be a host of shows that will fright and delight in equal measure; including The Classic Thriller Theatre Company’s The Cat and the Canary, critically acclaimed The Woman in Black and Peter James’ Looking Good Dead.

Families can enjoy the return of the hugely popular Gangsta Granny and The Play That Goes Wrong, as well as a new instalment from Mischief Theatre, Groan Ups; a brand new comedy about growing up for an audience of all ages.

Click HERE to browse the full What’s On From Aug 21 Guide online
Book tickets >>@Theatre Royal Brighton

OH YES IT IS!  A SOCIALLY DISTANCED SHOREHAM PANTOMIME

Sadly, our planned annual pantomime production “Aladdin” has now been postponed until 2021. However, at Ropetackle Arts Centre we believe that although Aladdin can’t fly his magic carpet this year, The Show Must Go On! We have therefore designed an alternative Christmas season that will be safer for audiences and more viable for LP Creatives to produce with the current social distancing measures in place.

The new show, ‘specially written for these extraordinary times, is called “Oh Yes It Is! – A Family Christmas Adventure” , stars seasoned panto pros Joe Meloy and Oliver Byng and is from the same team that has made the magic happen at Ropetackle for the last eight years!

Tom Beard the panto’s producer, director and writer, said: “The decision to postpone this year’s production and deliver an alternative is one that has been difficult for all involved. We have to make the right decision based on the safety of our audiences, financial viability and long-term sustainability of Shoreham’s wonderful Ropetackle venue. To put on our planned productions would not be viable with social distancing measures in place, but providing this alternative is a viable, safe and sensible option. Capacity to our alternative programme will be limited and I strongly encourage customers wishing to book to do so early as tickets are already selling fast.

“This show promises to be a fun and unique experience. It is very important for children to come to the theatre – to see something spectacular in real life during the festive season makes everything seem so much bigger and better! This is why it is so important for us to produce high quality family shows. “Oh Yes It Is!” will be a chance for all generations to spend time together at the theatre this Christmas. Not only does this time help strengthen the family bond; it helps to nurture a love of live theatre in the youngest of audience members.”

The story:

Widow Twanky and ‘Wishy Washy’ are in a spin! They hear rumour of a cancelled pantomime in Old Peking and can feel that their Christmas ‘Mother Goose’ might well be ‘Sarah the Cook’(ed)!

Not on your ‘Nurse Nelly’ we say! Join our intrepid cast as they get in a ‘Muddles’ and showcase a whirlwind tour of panto-land with plenty of fun, laughter and all-round pantomime madness!

Can they cover every panto out there to save the day? Oh yes they can (!??)

Don’t be ‘Idle Jack’, ‘Dame Trott’ along to the Ropetackle for a ‘Silly Billy’ time this December!

‘Oh Yes It Is…!’ continues LP Creatives’ growing reputation for touring some breath-taking productions around the UK.  Everyone is working hard to make sure that they deliver this particular special festive production with the magic of Christmas that this time of year deserves.

Running time Approx 90 mins, including interval
From 11th – 31st December. Ticket Price – £15 adults, £13 children
Tickets: Box Office: 01273 464440 or www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk

 

Chichester Festival Theatre’s new Autumn season is out!
E-Brochure can be browsed through HERE!
Social distancing performences with the auditorium being reduced to less than 50% of its normal capacity | Tickets from £10
Family ticket: Children go 1/2 price, up to four children under 16s with every full paying adult available for all performances, except 26-31 December.
Prologue: £5 tickets are available for 16 to 30 year-olds for all shows throughout Autumn 2020; sign up for free HERE.

Including…
Chichester Festival Youth Theatre | PINOCCHIO |by Anna Ledwich
From the original novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Music by Tom Brady | Directed by Dale Rooks
12 – 31 December, Festival Theatre | Press night: Wednesday 16 December, 7.00pm | Recommended for ages 7+
Polish-translated performance of Pinocchio on 21 December at 7pm.
Relaxed Performance on Sunday 27 December at 2pm

Chichester Festival Youth Theatre present a brand new version of this classic tale, written especially for them by CFT’s Writer-in-Residence Anna Ledwich. Director Dale Rooks, whose work at Chichester includes The Butterfly Lion, The Midnight Gang and Running Wild, will bring her trademark visual flair and gift for storytelling to this darkly magical reinvention.

Geppetto the boatmaker tosses aside a piece of wood; it’s only good for the fire. To his amazement, a voice answers him back. Geppetto picks up the wood and begins to carve – and a small wooden boy is revealed. A puppet, which he names Pinocchio. And that’s when the mayhem begins. Pinocchio can’t stop getting into trouble, despite the best efforts of the Blue Fairy and the Cricket to keep him on track. His intentions may be good – he truly wants to go to school like real boys and girls – but the temptation to discover the wonders of the world and make his fortune keep getting in the way. Pinocchio encounters a host of fascinating characters, from Punch and Judy to the wily Fox and Cat and the strange Sea Monster, as he journeys to Wonderland and the world beneath the sea. But he discovers that it isn’t easy hiding the truth – especially when your nose gets longer with every lie you tell…

Anna Ledwich’s previous work at Chichester includes The Butterfly Lion (2019), Crossing Lines (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2018). With music and orchestrations by Tom Brady, Pinocchio will have set design by Simon Higlett, costumes by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting by James Whiteside, musical direction by Colin Billing, sound by Gregory Clarke and movement by Lauren Grant.

BOOKING online HERE | 01243 781312 | Tickets from £10
Social distancing necessitates the auditorium being reduced to less than 50% of its normal capacity. Audiences are invited to consider donating the cost of an ‘empty’ £10 seat to support the Theatre’s activities, as well as our employment of freelance artists during the pandemic.

Sussex’s first drive-in arts extravaganza: Mozart, Verdi, film and food

Big Sky Drive-In, recently founded by two local mums in lockdown, is gearing up for a weekend of Drive-In opera, film, animation and food, in a new festival entitled Made in Sussex which will take place on 2 – 4 October 2020.

Made in Sussex will unfold in the grounds of beautiful Glynde Place in East Sussex and the events will have a local dimension.  We are excited to be showing three Glyndebourne operas: La Traviata (Giuseppe Verdi), The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) and Cosi Fan Tutte (Mozart) on a large state-of-the-art mobile LED screen.  As a special thank-you to the NHS we will give 50 free tickets for Cosi Fan Tutte to NHS staff.

The programme will also include screenings of the 2020 film Emma, based on Jane Austen’s novel and filmed at nearby Firle Place, new release Hope Gap, filmed in Seaford by Lewes Director Wiliam Nicholson, and Strike, a heartwarming animation by local company Gigglefish Animation Studios. Food and drink will be provided by Sussex caterers Seven Sisters Spices and Caccia & Tails, and the new Lewes coffee company, Tiger Moth.  Drinks are locally sourced.

Made in Sussex has three aims: to bring more people to the arts; to provide an affordable, fun day out in a beautiful setting for all ages; and to celebrate the magic of the county of East Sussex.

Big Sky Drive-In’s co-founders Lara Leslie and Victoria Holden have both spent their lives working in TV, film-making and animation, with major broadcasters and household names, and in local schools.  Victoria said: “The idea behind this venture is to celebrate the very best Sussex has to offer in a way that is original but also accessible to everyone. Glyndebourne, with its world-class reputation, is a Sussex jewel alongside the many other home made films and animation made in this beautiful place, and we have a fantastic food and drink scene here too. Made in Sussex combines all these elements from the comfort and safety of your car.”

Managing Director of Glyndebourne, Sarah Hopwood said, “We are delighted to be able to partner with a new, local business in our own community. With the Glyndebourne theatre closed this year it is more important than ever to find innovative ways to give people access to opera”.

Victoria Holden, Tel 07790 903213, E: [email protected]

Lara Leslie, Tel: 07977 593 857, E: [email protected]

Tickets on sale now through the website.

Website: www.bigskydrivein.co.uk