Who better to recommend the best of Brighton Fringe than our very own Friends of Brighton Fringe? Here’s what they recommend:
Circus Abyssinia: Tulu
The Warren: The McElderry
21 June - 4 July
Circus Abyssinia returns with a brand-new, breathtaking show for all ages. Featuring dazzling feats of speed and flight, and rocking with the exuberant joy of its cast, ‘Tulu’ celebrates the true tale of an icon.
This show tells the story of distance runner and Ethiopian legend, Derartu Tulu, charting her rise from the humblest beginnings to become the first African woman to win Olympic gold.
“Extraordinary, irresistible circus” ★★★★★ (Daily Review on ‘Ethiopian Dreams’)
“Perfect for any and all ... left the audience in a unanimous standing ovation” ★★★★★ (Broadway Baby on ‘Ethiopian Dreams’)
“Experience the richness of culture, outstanding talent and exuberant joy that modern Ethiopians have to offer” (Broadway World on ‘Ethiopian Dreams’)
Sassy! Supersized
Brighton Spiegeltent
10 - 12 June at 21:00
Welcome to the return of SASSY!... SUPERSIZED! Join us as our mistress of celebrations, Lucy Hopkins, and her sass-squad guide you through a fabulous night of circus, burlesque, dance, drag and more. Get ready for this W.A.P (wild ass party).
Expect the best tunes, top class line-up, high energy PLUS lots of fun and sparkles. We're classy, sassy and a bit bad-assy!
Featuring our sassiest friends - Dave the Bear, Scarlett O'Hora, Tayris Mongardi, Amberlina Aerial and more! You won't want to miss out, grab your own sass-squad and come along for the ride!
Bent Double
Komedia
4 June at 18:00
A gay-friendly, irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by the brilliant Zoe Lyons (as seen on TV's 'Live at the Apollo', 'Celebrity MasterChef', 'Mock The Week').
"Probably the most impressive British female comic on the circuit." (The Skinny, Edinburgh)
"Confident and razor sharp" (Observer Magazine)
"If laughter is the best medicine, then 'Bent Double' is a stand-up comedy injection, a concentrated dose of hilarity over four acts that’s guaranteed to get laughs" (The Argus)
Fringe City
Jubilee Square
28 - 30 May
Kick start your Brighton Fringe with a bank holiday weekender of free, outdoor fun at Fringe City on Jubilee Square! Join us on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, for a three-day extravaganza of all things Fringe. Grab a pint and a bite to eat whilst watching a variety of shows, from cheeky cabaret to awesome acrobatics - all al fresco in the centre of town.
Get a taste for Brighton Fringe at our free festival and start the month like you mean to go on!
Comic Boom
Komedia
28 May, 25 June
'Comic Boom' comedy club brings a bold and exciting mix of established comedians and fresh, hand-picked, rising comedy stars to Brighton's Komedia every month. Our MC is “so funny someone should call a paramedic" (The Guardian) Barry Ferns. Our headliner is “the comic that other comics want to be” (ThreeWeeks) Garrett Millerick. Whole new generations of award winners and television regulars started out at 'Comic Boom'. Catch the next generation now!
“A summary of all that is great on the UK comedy scene, go and see it" (Fringe Review)
The LOL Word
Laughing Horse @ Caroline of Brunswick
10, 12, 13, 16 June
Like comedy? Like queer folk? Then you will LOVE 'The LOL Word', a mixed bill of multi-award-nominated stand-up and sketch comedians presenting an hour of the queerest comedy for your delectation.
'The LOL Word' was founded in 2017 and is currently made up of Chloe Petts, Jodie Mitchell and duo Shelf.
Fresh from sell-out shows at the Soho Theatre and Southbank Centre, get your tickets NOW as they are hot property!
"The LOL Word... are energetic and exciting, oozing with passion." (The Guardian)
"Smart, insightful, hilarious, completely relatable" (DIVA Magazine)
"Lesbians" (Scotsgay)
Topsie Redfern's Crystal Balls
The Curzon
31 May, 23 - 24 June
Topsie, one of Brighton's favourite drag queens, invites you to come and see bits of her you've never seen before, in a new and almost entirely truthful autobiographical show.
My Great Grandma was Alan Turing’s fortune teller.
As a drag queen turning 40, I have been thinking about my roots. Grey roots, musical roots, and cultural roots: particularly my Irish Traveller heritage.
My Great Grandmother ran away from her own bourgeois roots, married a Traveller, and became a famous fortune teller, Madam Olga, whose clients included Nancy Astor, and Turing: the man who cracked the Enigma Code.
A three-hander for two performers, 'Crystal Balls' is a fusion of cabaret and theatre where I seek to crack the codes of my own Traveller and LGBT history, in collaboration with my "other" self, West End actor Nathan Kiley, and musician Connor Fogel.
Co-created by writer / director Sarah Chew.
George Egg: Movable Feast
The Warren: The McElderry
23, 26 June
Brand-new comedy from the stand-up who cooks on stage. In this show he’s on the road! It’s time for Planes, Trains and Automob-meals (sorry).
George demonstrates how to cook with an engine, procure items from the train buffet trolley and turn unexpected roadworks into a picnic. Three plates of gourmet food cooked live in the most unconventional ways and with the opportunity to taste the results at the end, provided you can stop laughing.
“Brilliantly funny” (Jay Rayner, The Observer).
“Trust us, you won’t believe how good the food tastes” (The Scotsman).
Brighton Gay Men's Chorus Presents: The Boys From The Chorus
St Nicholas Church
26 June
Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus members present a show of solos and duets under the direction of Joe Paxton. During these Covid times when the chorus cannot rehearse or perform together, selected members showcase their favourite songs in the beautiful surroundings of St. Nicholas’ Church. The Chorus boys will give a matinee and evening performance lasting 1-hour.
Big Band: Swingin' at the Spiegel
Brighton Spiegeltent
11 July at 14:00
Brighton Jazz Mafia big band combine with Swing Patrol dancers for a Lindy Hop dance spectacular.
Swing out to this all-star band formed from the cream of the Brighton jazz scene as they recreate the iconic sound of 1940s dance music: Count Basie, Duke Ellington and vintage Rat Pack classics from Ella and Frank.
Learn some fun and informal dance moves with the beginners Lindy Hop class from the international award-winning Swing Patrol teachers. Then take to the dance floor and party the afternoon away at this amazing Brighton Fringe venue!
Become a Friend today for no booking fees, 2 for 1 tickets, and discounts at Brighton’s hottest spots.