2021 Bursary Winners Announced
MEET THIS YEAR'S BURSARY WINNERS Brighton Fringe works closely with local and national organisations to...
Brighton Fringe 2023 is taking place from May 5 to June 4 with more than 500 events in the program across more than 100 venues in Brighton and beyond.
With events varying from comedy to cabaret to spoken literature and much more, Brighton Fringe set up tickets for every situation and occasion.
A lot of events are free unticketed, which means you won’t need to book tickets, just show up and enjoy what Brighton Fringe 2023 has to offer.
Here is a list of events offering this ticketing option:
ORIENTE PLUS/POWER CUT: A CARIBBEAN STORY, JUNE 1, 2, 3, 4. (Brighton i360)
International award-winning pioneers, Signdance Collective, return to Brighton Fringe with their "creatively brilliant, inclusively cool street theatre. A gothic story of diaspora, culture, family, and ancestors”.
Full of the company's trademark wicked playfulness, musicality, and vivacity the story is told through poetry (Spanish, English and BSL), Signdance movement, song and live music.
I AM MORE THAN, MAY 5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-31 (Bloom Cafe and Hope Centre)
‘I AM MORE THAN’ is a project set up by Equinox women’s project supporting women in the city who are experiencing homelessness to use their creative voices to tell their communities who they are and that they are not defined by homelessness or any of the many issues that run alongside it.
It aims to help women to challenge their negative belief systems about themselves and help them regain self-worth and confidence.
CURIOUS!, MAY 5 (The Caxton Arms)
An hour of exciting comedy from Hampshire-based comedians Emma Ashley-King & Jack Clay.
LOUISE ATKINSON: MATES (Work in Progress), MAY 7, 13, 14 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
A work-in-progress comedy show from Amused Moose Finalist and Harrogate New Comedian of the Year finalist, Louise Atkinson.
Our friends are our chosen family. From the happiest times to breaking up with friends, grab a pint (of wine) and Louise will recount some of her funniest memories. From the good to the bad and ugly.
JEMIMA SMALLBONES, MAY 28 (Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant)
Sara Louise Aston plays Jemima. This show was created following a meeting Sara had with some American casting directors who watched her perform a snippet of the show which at the time was just a 1-minute monologue titled "When I was 17".
RIDE VINTAGE: CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF CYCLING, FROM MAY 5 TO JUNE 4 (Various Locations)
The Online Bicycle Museum has arranged for vintage bicycles, tricycles and pedal cars to be displayed at various locations around Brighton and Hove. Each of them tells a story.
You can also sign up for a vintage cycle ride. Bring your bike or use one of theirs, ideally wearing vintage-looking clothes. You can try out various old bikes at the meeting point. You can cycle along the seafront and past the Marina; there's only one small hill and minimal traffic.
There will be people in costume riding old bicycles around town throughout the Fringe month.
BLACK SHEEP COMEDY, MAY 19-21, 26-28, JUNE 2, 3, 4. (The Caxton Arms)
Three stand-ups performing twenty minutes of comedy from the very depths of their damned souls.
Featuring Louie Lee, Ben Adams and Shaun Edwards.
SOFA SOFUNNY! SO FRINGE, MAY 19, 20, 21 (Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant)
Split show from Leslie Gold (So You Think You’re Funny semi-finalist) and Nick Kirk (West End New Act semi-finalist), usually seen collaborating on the hit London comedy show Sofa SoFunny.
Now putting on a Fringe show, with each performance including a different guest comedian too! Expect storytelling, a character or two (in all senses of the word), a friendly vibe and a high-energy totally-not-chaotic show.
MORRIS DANCING & ENGLISH FOLKSONG SESSION IN THE NORTH LAINE, MAY 11 (MEET: Outside The Foundry)
Brighton Morris welcomes you to North Laine dances out for 2023! They will be brandishing their bells, cracking their sticks and flashing their hankies as their tour through the North Laines, where they will dance at some of Brighton’s oldest and best pubs. The event will finish with a folk song and sea shanty singalong at the Brighton Tavern. Follow them from pub to pub or just drop in to see them dance for a bit.
A SPLIT PERSONALITY DIVA…RETURNS!, MAY 20, 21 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
Join Lianna as she navigates her world of minor celebrity kids, dogs and life with new songs, audience banter, impressions and an improvised musical (of sorts!) she may even drag on an unwilling celebrity guest or two, a fabulous and fun show not to be missed!
THAT ONE-LINER BLOKE’S COMEDY SHOW, MAY 26 (The Caxton Arms)
Kevin O'Brien in That One-Liner Bloke's Comedy Show. A must-see show for fans of one-liner jokes.
QUIZ FACE, MAY 10,17, 24, 31 (The Mucky Duck)
Quiz Face's main goal is to make the boring and blah "standard" quiz into a brilliant and bedazzling juggernaut of fun! But also for the losers to have as much fun as the winners!
BANCROFT, MAY 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 22, 29, 30 (Laughing Horse @ The Temple Bar)
Absurdsit clown comedy show about a revered Funeral Director and his family/business.
SAM’S SCRIPTZ, MAY 28, 29 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
Sam Jacobsen is an acclaimed writer, penning award-winning scripts for the three S's... stage, screen and school assemblies (his Year 5 masterpiece about the Vikings at St Mark's Primary School got nominated for a BAFTA). Now he's here in Brighton to share some amazing new script ideas!
LULU POPPLEWELL: WORK IN PROGRESS, MAY 12, 13, 13 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
Work in progress hour of confessional and observational stand up about recovery, Sclub 7 and worms.
A former teacher reflects on how he enjoyed the teaching part but not all of the other stuff that went with it. Find out why.
LEONARD FEELS THE HEAT, MAY 10, 11, 17, 18 ( Laughing Horse @ The Walrus (Raised Room)
‘Leonard Feels The Heat’ is a comedy storytelling show about a pensioner who decides to spice up his life in the most literal way possible - by entering a chilli-eating competition. It's a warm, funny tale about one man's insatiable quest for glory and is written and told by award-winning comedian Mark Allen.
DAVE CHAWNER: FREELOSOPHY, MAY 6, 7, 20, 21 AND JUNE 3, 4 (Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant)
The history of Western philosophy... but fun! Think “Horrible Histories” for weird ideas.
Big concepts are told through little stories by award-winning comedian, best-selling author & presenter Dave Chawner.
HANNAH FAIRWEATHER: MAKE THAT THE BRAND, MAY 30, 31 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
After a successful debut year, Hannah brings her new show, ‘Make That The Brand’ about what happens when people prioritise success over happiness - especially when that happiness isn't their own.
Work in progress stand-up comedy show from Elaine Fellows. Elaine's life is held together by two things: sugar and lies. Neither of which is good for you.
WILL ROBBINS AND KELLY FORD: MASSIVE BUSH, MAY 18, 19, 20, 21 (The Caxton Arms)
Mags and Kelly Ford combine comedic forces for an hour of jokes, laughter and mic-drop moments.
RAHUL SOMIA: TUESDAY DATE (Work In Progress), MAY 30 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
Join Rahul as he analyses his love life, cross-examining every detail from his Indian heritage to his career as a teacher.
Two comedians attempt to navigate the hell that is "existing" by performing an hour of fabulous stand-up. Farah Sharp, a chaotic cat mum with a concerning coffee habit, and Sharon Wanjohi, an energetic hot mess who collects notebooks she'll never use, bring you a slick work-in-progress show where they dismantle stereotypes, smash the patriarchy and become beacons of mental wellness. Or they may just talk about their exes, they haven't decided yet.
MEMORIES OF AN INDIAN FUTURE, MAY 31 AND JUNE 2, 3, 4 (Phoenix Art Space)
'Memories of an Indian Future', an exhibition of photographs from urban and rural India by Isabeau de Rouffignac and Pep Àvila.
Alex Kitson is an award-winning comedian. He's new in London having just moved from his beloved West Country. Despite that - he's still feeling optimistic. Come watch this "Incredible... So clever" (BBC Radio Bristol) comedian work-up material for his highly anticipated debut hour. "Fired Up! Ready to Go!"
EDUCATED IDIOT (Work In Progress), MAY 20, 21, 22, 23 (Laughing Horse @ The Temple Bar)
This work-in-progress comedy show explores what life after education looks like. After law school, Austin put his degree to use and entered the blue-collar workforce. With a crash course full of travel, adversity, and arrests he still hasn't put his degree to use. The 2022 Roast Battle UK Knockout Tournament Finalist has performed across 7 countries including some of the world's most prestigious stages.
SCOTT MCPHERSON: LIFE, MAY 12, 13, 14 (Laughing Horse @ The Temple Bar)
‘Scott McPherson: Life; is an intimate window into the inner workings of Scott’s mind on the often bewildering nature of modern life. This is a completely new show which I will be taking to a number of other comedy festivals in 2023, including Guildford, Edinburgh, Ludlow and Greater Manchester amongst others.
VIGGO VENN: CLOWN (Work In Progress), MAY 11, 19 (Laughing Horse @ The Walrus (Raised Room)
Viggo Venn is an award- clown from Norway. WINNER: Best Comedy Brighton Fringe 2016 (Zach&Viggo)
THE MARVELLOUS SNAKE BOY, MAY 22, 23, 24, 25 (Presuming Ed’s)
Alexander Richmond is an alternative comedian and writer with over nine years of experience in sketch, improv and theatre... Snake Boy is an award-winning show that Alexander Richmond first performed back in 2018 and has been toured all around the world.
BRIGHTON’S SINGING BARBER PETER JOANNOU, MAY 6, 13, 20, 27 AND JUNE 3
Peter Joannou Brighton’s Singing Barber & The Cool Legends Show, including classic songs by Matt Monro, Frank Sinatra & many more.
TOM MAYHEW: WORK IN PROGRESS, MAY 9, 10, 11 (Laughing Horse @ The Temple Bar)
Comedian Tom Mayhew (as heard on BBC Radio 4) brings a work-in-progress show to the Brighton Festival! There will be stuff about being working-class, being skint, how annoying the cost of living crisis is, and probably talk of a revolution.
MICHAEL FABBRI, MAY 7, 14, 21 AND JUNE 4 (Laughing Horse @ The Walrus (Raised Room)
Michael Fabbri’s stand-up comedy work-in-progress show.
Adele brings all her very best new jokes, ideas and wisdom to Brighton.
Star of Dave's Joke of the Fringe 2016-19.
MOSTLY KILLER (SOME FILLER) MAY 22, 23, 24, 25 (Presuming Ed’s)
A thrilling debut hour from absurdist Australian stand-up Jacob Henegan. This show will contain 3 perfect jokes and many other jokes that are imperfect but beautiful in their flawed nature.
MIDDLE-AGED MADNESS, MAY 29 (Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant)
3 middle-aged comedians offer their perspectives for your entertainment: Lance Carter, Chris Blackburn and Simon Kelvick. The three unwise men will each give a 15-minute set on midlife, the universe & everything else.
STEPHEN AND HAMLET: BLIND AND MAD, MAY 11 (Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick)
Having previously traipsed around Edinburgh, Hove and Plymouth, London’s gentlest comedian, Stephen Portlock, accompanied by his impeccably well-behaved dog Hamlet, returns once again to Brighton to leave residents and visitors bewildered, befuddled and bemused as he delivers a very ramshackle guide through the highways and byways of life’s weirdness.
FOR FORTY’S SAKE! MAY 7, 27, 29 AND JUNE 3, 4 (Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant)
Stand-up Comedian Arna Spek (99 Comedy club bursary 2017) is wondering if she is getting old by reaching 40 this year. Whilst Clive Coopman (Heat BBC Radio 4 New act of the year 2017) is trying to do everything possible to stay young.
OPEN STUDIOS 2023, MAY 19, 20, 21 (Phoenix Art Space)
Join them once again for their annual Open Studios and explore the workspaces of the artists who work inside Phoenix Art Space. The building is currently home to 100+ professional artists at all stages of their careers, working across all types of media.
(UN)SEEN AT THE NEW STEINE HOTEL, MAY 5 TO JUNE 4 (New Steine Hotel, Bar and Bistro)
An exhibition of new paintings by Romany Mark Bruce 2022.
STILL GOT IT! MAY 6, 7 (Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant)
Do older comedians do it better? Come to see 'Still Got It' to decide!
GROUNDSWELL, MAY 6-28, (St Peter’s Square South)
Feel the earth move beneath your feet in this free, large-scale immersive installation. Groundswell is a new work by Matthias Schack-Arnott, an award-winning percussion artist from Melbourne who fuses sound and movement into evocative, atmospheric experiences. How lightly do we tread upon the world?
SAULLELUJAH! THE POWER OF POSITIVITY AND JOY! 12-14 MAY (Caxton Arms), MAY 27, 28 (The Snug)
Saullelujah! The Power of Positivity and Joy is a show about finding positivity and experiencing the joy of life.
MINDFUL KI AND AIKIDO TASTER SESSIONS, MAY 20, (Brighton Ki Centre)
Brighton Ki Society. Family-friendly, audience interaction, relaxed where you will learn the unification of mind and body, natural movement, meditation and breathing.
MUDFISH (Work In Progress) MAY 8 AND JUNE 3, 4 (Laughing Horse @ The Walrus (Raised Room)
This new Mudfish Work In Progress will showcase the ‘brilliant chemistry’ (Fringebiscuit) and ‘buoyant charisma’ (EdFringe Review) of Molly and Dan. Along with their trademark brand of elegance and filth, expect ‘silly sketches galore’ (TheWeeReview) and a whole new cast of characters from this glistening new show.
BAM- B.FEST ART MARKET, MAY 27 (Caravanserai - Outdoor Family Area)
BAM - B.fest Art Market is a youth arts market launched at B.fest 2022, this event will be full of innovative work by young people 13-25 years.
GLOBAL LOCAL FESTIVAL, MAY 13 (Caravanserai- Luna Parc)
Global and UK Artists from all corners of the Global Local Project, and the people behind Shangri La Glastonbury, Caravanserai at Camp Bestival, Continental Drifts and more. A stunning all-day musical journey from unique talents!
STIG EVANS, MAY 6,7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28 (Phoenix Art Space)
Exhibition of recent contemporary abstract drawing
MEET THIS YEAR'S BURSARY WINNERS Brighton Fringe works closely with local and national organisations to...
Check Out Other Festivals Going on in Brighton This Year
Talking to the Box Office...
