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Beethoven’s only opera was given a rousing performance last night that had the audience delighted. The Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment were thunderingly good under the baton of Adam Fischer, and a fine ensemble of soloists – one standing in at the last moment – were in fine voice too. The Festival Chorus delivered, as always, and the whole eveing was superb but for two minor doubts. I have to confess that I like my opera staged and missed the settings, costumes and acting. Secondly, the narrator, who was good almost throughout, for me spoiled things with a slightly garbled and dare I say it camp summary of the denouement that took away from the beauty of the finale. We all know that opera stories are silly; we just didn’t need it at that moment. Otherwise, a first class evening.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 8 May
Rating:
Andrew Kay

It’s a classic film and book that means so much to many Brightonians and visitors, meaning this tour was a real treat to anyone who had experienced either. Imbued with a sense of living history as we were guided around some of the locations from the film, others that inspired Greene when he wrote the book, and even another that piqued the interest of the studio set builders, our guide was engaging and filled with an enthusiasm for the subject that we couldn’t help but find contagious. Peppered with extra facts about the film production and history of Brighton itself, this felt entertaining and inspiring.

Walk Starts At Royal Albion Hotel, 7 May
Rating:
Victoria Nangle

These rude boys were nominated for the Edinburgh Fosters Award last year, with their cheeky sketches and boisterous songs grabbing the attention of the critics in a very favourable way. Now they’ve returned with fresh offerings, sketches intercut with short films that consolidated their brand, the old ‘yer mum’ gag corrupted, acknowledged brutal job cuts in their own inimitable style, and much more. Great rude fun, although they occasionally fell into the more lazy general ‘sex’ titters, which was a shame considering the quality of the other work they had on offer. On the whole though, well worth the praise.

Upstairs At Three And Ten, 6 May
Rating:
Victoria Nangle

Imagine you’re a guest at a wedding for a couple you’ve never met, sharing secrets about the Best Man and Maid of Honour who you don’t know, and viewing a courtship and relationship transformation of the lucky pair, before which you were sitting in your fascinator recording a personal message of hope for them to watch on their honeymoon. It sounds haphazard but was actually as choreographed as a real shoestring wedding. We were ushered around, greeted, and saw the drama unfold, with even a bit of song and dance thrown in too. Not overly pulling at the emotions but definitely providing a massive dollop of fun and jubilation.

The Marlborough Theatre, 8 May
Rating:
Victoria Nangle