Self-proclaimed ‘comedian, magician, psychopath’ Sadowitz brings his no-holds-barred darkly humorous magic to Brighton Fringe. The new king of silent comedy, Trygve Wakensha, is likely to be one of the most talked about acts this year with his brand new show Odjo: King of the Ocean, as well as the 2016 Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated show Nautilus. Punk band, U.K. Subs have a reputation as the hardest-gigging punk band of all and, whilst front-man Charlie Harper may be 73 years old, it’s unlikely to slow him down as the Radio 6 Music audience-voted ‘punk rock World Cup winners’ bring a raw, exciting and untamed show to town.
in the end, it’s about having a good time; so, whatever you’re into, you are likely to find it at Brighton Fringe
Building on the success of 2016, Brighton Fringe promises to be bigger and better than ever with a record-breaking 970 events, including more than 300 world premieres.
Winner of last year’s coveted Broadway Baby Bobby award for the hit show Groomed, Patrick Sandford is back with the world premiere of Blooming. Inspired by cult US writer David Foster Wallace, Focus Group is part of this year’s WINDOW programme, in which industry experts have picked ten shows to showcase. Also in WINDOW is Shell Shock, adapted from a novel by Iraq veteran Neil Watkin, and which is supported by the Sussex Armed Forces Network and Help for Heroes.
Other potential highlights include Circled in the Radio Times from comedy writer John Osborne (creator of John Peel’s Shed and Sky 1’s After Hours) and We are Ian, a tribute to the acid house scene, which won the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sweet Venues have scored a huge hit in Trainspotting, making its Brighton debut. Edinburgh Festival Fringe stalwart Dave Benson Phillips is bringing new shows for kids and grown-ups alike, proving it’s not just about the gunge of Get Your Own Back.
Artistic Director of Sweet Venues, JD Henshaw, is confident about this year’s season, saying "We at Sweet Venues are delighted to once again be bringing the best in Fringe creativity to Brighton. With established and new venues, plus a new outdoor stage in Bartholomew Square to bring you a taste of everything the Fringe has to offer, we're proud to make a home in Brighton”.
Award winners continue as Scott Gibson, winner of the 2016 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer, presents Life after Death, a dark account of living through a brain haemorrhage, and the winner of the Cape Town Fringe Festival’s Audience Choice Award, the horror-comedy Dangled, makes its UK premiere.
Cirque du Cabaret make their Brighton Fringe debut, bringing their trademark circus and burlesque to Brighton. ARCO features a stunning acrobatic display suspended beneath a 12 metre-high illuminated arch.
As part of their international programme, a special Dutch season, funded by the Dutch Embassy and Dutch Performing Arts Fund, will see acclaimed shows form the Netherlands coming to Brighton.
Managing Director of Brighton Fringe, Julian Caddy, said “I’m delighted to see that Brighton Fringe is larger than ever but it’s important to understand why, and why it’s relevant to you… in the end, it’s about having a good time; so, whatever you’re into, you are likely to find it at Brighton Fringe. It’s your festival and I can’t wait to experience it with you.”
If there’s something that’s caught your eye and you’re planning on booking, please share it with us at Broadway Baby. We’ll be providing the largest coverage at the Brighton Fringe in 2017 and we’d love to hear your tips at [email protected]
Brighton Fringe runs 5 May to 4 June. Tickets go on sale to Friends of Brighton Fringe at from 22 February and on general sale from 3 March. Visit www.brightonfringe.org to book.
