Performers: Westdal and Hayward, 2Spoons improv and Lachlan Werner Reviewer: Lela Tredwell Outstanding alternative comedy showcase attracts top acts. Charming, eccentric host Simon Topping has created a line-up to write home about, in this variety comedy show. The event succeeds in showcasing the best acts on the comedy circuit that are offering something different from traditional stand up. He might refer to himself as an ‘idiot’ but Topping is no fool in bringing together the best of the Fringe. Simon Topping hosts each show with his very funny and gently nostalgic antics. He combines physical comedy, clowning and authenticity in…
Author: The Reviews Hub - Brighton
By: Ghost Walk of the Lanes Reviewer: Lela Tredwell Grisly ghoulish tales galore in this informative fun Brighton tour. If you are looking for the dark ethereal history of Brighton Lanes, then this is the tour for you. For the visitor and veteran Brightonian alike, this guided walk is enjoyably packed with stories of sightings from the spirit world. The way the history of Brighton’s streets, buildings and people is weaved into tales of the supernatural is inspired. With a guide that looks the part in a fabulous Victorian costume -complete with cape, bell and bag of tricks – you…
Writer: Harold Pinter Director: Jamie Glover Reviewer: Simon Topping Jamie Glover’s fabulous revival shocks, stuns and makes the Brighton audience laugh in equal measure in this bleakly funny, other worldly, working class fairy tale. Max (Keith Allen) is a crumbling patriarch, attempting to hold court from his armchair. No one is listening to him. He shares the house with his brother Sam (Ian Bartholomew) and two sons, a psychopathic pimp, Lenny (Mathew Horne) and gormless boxing wannabe Joey (Geoffrey Lumb). To say Max gets no respect from the other men in his household is an understatement; Lenny is actively hostile…
Writer: Jim Cartwright Director: Bronagh Lagan Reviewer: Simon Topping Joyful performances from an excellent cast, in a play that is a little frayed at the edges. LV (Christina Bianco) locks herself away from her loud, alcoholic mother and escapes to her bedroom to play old records left to her by her deceased dad; the era of Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland and Marylin Munroe are her world. LV’s mum, Mari (Shobna Gulati), doesn’t share or care for her daughters obsession. It is her mission to “bag a man” while she can; someone who can lead her out of the poverty that…
Writer: Tim Firth Director: Joanna Read Reviewer: Lela Tredwell Superbly talented cast claims this classic comedy island as their own. It’s a wonder this play survived its rocky rebirth but theatre prevailed and what a delight for audiences that it did. Sheila’s Island is a dark comedy about the pressures of survival in the unforgiving landscape of the Lake District. In this beautifully constructed work of bathos, Team C of Pennine Mineral Water Ltd’s annual outward-bound team-building weekend find themselves stranded. Their struggles bring the audience much entertainment, laughter and nostalgia for a time when changing your underwear under…
Book: Douglas McGrath Director: Nikolai Foster Reviewer: Simon Topping The Theatre Royal, Brighton, is packed to the rafters and an air of excitement fills the room, as Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, begins. The story, written by playwright and filmmaker Douglas McGrath, charts King’s early life as a songwriter in the Brill Building, New York; which is known for housing and nurturing some of the most influential songwriters of the twentieth century, especially of the 1950’s and 60’s, including Neil Diamond, Burt Bacharach and Paul Simon, as well as the protagonists we meet in today’s piece. King (superbly played by…
Featuring: Shelf, Jen Ives, Leila Navabi, Helen Bauer Reviewer: Simon Topping On a not so sleepy Sunday evening in The Basement, Komedia Brighton introduce their new inclusive and unconventional alternative comedy night, Down the Hatch. Our hosts are the non gender binary duo Shelf; an enthusiastic pair who comfortably ease the crowd into the night’s shenanigans with their charming banter. Rachel and Ruby funnily describe how they are often mis-gendered as boys. Rachel regales the audience with a story about being mistaken for a very young lad in a pub toilet and Ruby plays guitar and sings about the experiences…
Creator and Presenter: Deborah Frances-White Featuring: Jessica Hynes, Zoe Lyons, Jess Robinson, Sikisa, Grace Petrie and Laurie Penny Reviewer: Simon Topping The elation is palpable in the Brighton Dome for The Guilty Feminist’s first live show since the pandemic, in this sometimes rambling, overly scheduled, but thoroughly enjoyable outing. The podcast chief, our intelligent and comedic host Deborah Frances-White, marked this occasion by wearing a splendid purple silk cape, to big applause and expertly held the gatherings attention with enthusiasm, off the cuff jokes and audience banter (in this case with mainly with Chris who used to be an elder…