It’s the bank holiday and you’re ready for the long weekend – but what to do? After grabbing some doughnuts at the pier and dodging dive-bombing seagulls, there’s plenty to see during Brighton Fringe’s opening weekend. Here are some of our recommendations.
If you want to kick-start your weekend with some comedy, then Lorna Shaw has a growing cult following after appearances on Radio 4, BBC3 and ITV2’s Plebs. Her show Ava Rage (The Warren, 3rd-5th May, 20:30) brings her eponymous character Ava to life for an hour of exceptional stand-up mixed in with music.
Peeling yourself off your sofa on a long weekend can be hard, right? If you agree then you might relate to What’s Wrong With Monotony? (Rialto Theatre, 4th-6th May, 17:15). Discover whether the show’s couch-potato hero has managed to write his play within a play or whether it all descends into improvised chaos...
Choosing Brighton over backpacking for the weekend, world traveller, comedian and podcaster Struan Logan has brought his show Struan Logan: Struan All Over The World (Laughing Horse, 5th-7th May, 15:45) to Brighton Fringe after rave reviews down under in Perth, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne and Singapore. Join this free must see show to discover more about all of his adventures after 18 months of backpack living.
Life is complicated for the modern woman. Join Am I If? (The Warren, 5th-7th May, 12:00) for a half an hour of no-nonsense fast paced exploration of the quirkier subjects around feminism.
If you think Bank Holiday weekend should be renamed to Beer Holiday weekend, you may want to check out the free FEM.ALE Brewster Beer Festival (Marlborough, 4th-6th May, 12:00-20:00). With live grrrl bands, local DJs, a Saturday street party and, most importantly, local women beer experts ready to decant their best brewing knowledge, you’re welcome to drop by for a chilled afternoon and a pint or two.
Blasting into your life this weekend is Hot Gay Time Machine (Brighton Spiegeltent, 4th-6th May, 19:30). After a sell out run at Edinburgh Fringe, this Brighton Fringe favourite is back for one weekend only. Covering the key milestones from a gay man’s life, you don’t want to miss out on this extravagant, flamboyant party to get you geared up for the weekend.
If you think the hills are alive with the sound of music and that a spoonful of sugar always helps the medicine go down then Being Julie Andrews (Junkyard Dogs, 4th-6th May, 12:30) speaks your language. Follow Lesley through her emotional life story and discover how growing up in the West Midlands’ equivalent of the Von Trapps shaped her life forever.
With so much to see this bank holiday, there’s no excuse not to get stuck into Brighton Fringe and catch some of the hottest shows before they go.
