Brighton Fringe 2022: Opening Weekend

Friday 6 May saw the return of Brighton Fringe with hundreds of events taking place across the city.

Outdoor venues sprung up across Brighton with Brighton Spiegeltent returning to the Old Steine, The Lady Boys of Bangkok erecting their iconic Sabai Pavilion tent at St Peter’s church and newcomer The Rotunda setting up shop in Regency Square.

Mortar and brick venues have also returned. Brighton Fringe stalwarts Sweet Venues have found a new home at The Poets in Hove as well as their old stomping ground The Welly, The Under Sea Diner popped up in someone’s house, and iconic comedy venues such as Artista Café & Gallery, Laughing Horse @ The Caroline of Brunswick and The Caxton Arms all hosted their first shows of the season.

On Saturday 7 May, Fringe City returned to New Road featuring acts from across the festival showcasing comedic puppetry from Lachlan Werner, classic crooning from the Singing Barber and a stunning choral display from the Hullabaloo Community Quire on the Lakedown Brewing outdoor stage. Audiences were able to enjoy a pint of Brighton Fringe lager from Orange Beach Bars pop-up trailer bar and food from street food traders.

Later in the day the crowd were treated to DJ sets from Tim Helps with the headline set coming from Brighton legends English Disco Lovers. Fringe City returns on New Road on Saturday 14, 21, 28 and 4 June, as well as Friday 3 June from 13.00.

Also on Saturday, following Brighton Festival’s Children’s Parade, Brighton Fringe hosted the ever-popular Fringe Family Picnic in Pavilion Gardens. Highlights included children’s favourite Mr Pineapple Head, an appearance from The Bubble Man and storytelling with CBeebies’s Chris Jarvis. The Fringe Family Picnic returns on Saturday 4 June from 12.00.

On both Saturday and Sunday, tons of events took place, from cabaret to circus, stand-up to storytelling, with thousands of Fringe-goers soaking up Brighton Fringe 2022.

With more than one hundred venues hosting over seven hundred events in Brighton, Hove and beyond until 5 June, there’s plenty of opportunity to have a #CuriouslyFringe experience in 2022.