Latest 7 magazine

Physical theatre company Inspector Sands took us on a chilling journey, as a young couple plan for their forthcoming marriage – although why they ever thought marriage was a good idea is often beyond comprehension. Daniel is in therapy although his therapist is in equal need of help. Frances is a control freak both at home and at work where she treats Christina, a work placement student, with utter disdain. The resulting disharmony is a whirlwind of slickly timed but never ‘slick’ comedic genius that had the audience roaring with laughter and on the edges of our seats with tension. Great theatre that left us wanting more.

Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 27 October
5/5
Andrew Kay

Co-inciding with Brighton Zombie Walk made this year’s White Night an even more peculiar festival than before. Popular highlights included BANG’s astounding Dream Machine projections on the front of Marlborough House, and Steve Geliot’s Antigravity spectacle – floating like a cosmic jellyfish over City College’s car park. With an assortment of interactive installations and performances, Jubilee Library and Phoenix Brighton became invaluable spaces to sit and socialise, while the open doors at the Royal Pavilion and Sea Life Centre were predictably rammed. By the time the DM Quartet welcomed sunrise with some joyous jazz at Hove Bandstand, we were all zombies.

Various venues, 30 October
4/5
Stuart Huggett

Disco/metal big band Chrome Hoof are a highly inventive and entertaining live group, but their Halloween Bloodbath show suffered from an undersold, overly ambitious venue. Perhaps Brighton was suffering from Halloween fatigue already, as few of the undead could be coaxed into the cavernous Corn Exchange on a Sunday night. Chrome Hoof may not have the fanbase to fill a room this size but the nine cloaked and hooded members made full use of the space with singer Lola Olafisoye rabble-rousing amongst the fancy dressed kids in the pit, while the band threw out percussive breakdowns and foot-on-the-monitor thrashing alike.

Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, 31 October
3/5
Stuart Huggett

Like many talented comedians, Gerry Howell is set on being diverse. Hence this one-man theatre show from the award-winning comic, tackling issues of excess reality, adventuring and the frailty of the human mind. Deliberately mixing up our protagonist’s perception of what is real and what he has created himself as a writer, amateur private eye and occasional fantasist, as well as our perception with what is real by suggesting that he is name-checking himself later on, this had big ambitions. Engaging, with a delightful turn of phrase, the show had sparkles of wit and pathos, but also dipped in parts that appeared thin by comparison.

Upstairs At The Three And Ten, 27 October
3/5
Victoria Nangle