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Mixing puppeteering, signing, storytelling, live music and a fabulously sunny day, the seafront’s children and adults were equally captivated by a fully animated iron giant, at least 20 feet tall, and arrival in a small boy’s life. Telling the twentieth century fairytale story created by Ted Hughes, a scrapyard set elevated the action of the actors so that an audience gathered, sitting in rows in front, standing in crowds behind the children, and hanging over the railings by the road, could savour this fantastic production. With a mix of differently able cast, huge monsters entered our lives, and the fable’s beauty became all the more magical for its scenery, massive puppets and setting. This kind of captivating, unique show is what the Festival is all about.

The Old Paddling Pool, 21 May
Rating:
Victoria Nangle

The air was heavy with anticipation for an audience spanning all ages from 16 to 80 for a line-up of true reggae legends. After a brief DJ set by On–U Sound production hotshot Adrian Sherwood, the backing band (for both Romeo and Perry) warmed up with a quick instrumental before Romeo took the stage.

Initially famed in the UK for his lewd, suggestive late 60s output tonight he drew upon his Perry-produced conscious political works. Like Perry, a diminutive figure, Romeo cut a dash in a bright tangerine beach suit, grey beard and dreadlocks down to his waist, he was in excellent, voice, vibrant and urgent, the band produced a tight and punchy sound as he delivered classics ‘One Step Forward’, ‘War Ina Babylon’ – culminating his set with a very crowd-pleasing ‘I Chase The Devil’. An encore, ‘Jamaican Ska’, concluded an unexpectedly fine performance. Read the rest of this article »

This brass-off between two of Balkan music’s biggest names was the festival’s real party night. With each band taking turns, this proved incredibly entertaining. First, Romanian veterans Fanfare Ciocarlia, whose slightly older-fashioned tuba (though not old-fashioned), with frenetic trumpet showboating and lively dance beat, were a marvel to behold. Juxtaposed was younger Serbian trumpeter, Boban Markovic and the Marko Marcovic Orchestra, working the crowd with clap-alongs and popular favourites, blending gypsy with samba spectacularly. As the two joined forces for an epic climax, their dazzling musicianship and carnival spirit wouldn’t let the party end there, with Markovic men dancing with audience members ’til late.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 21 May
Rating:
Nick Aldwinckle

Sadly for the soloist, orchestra and audience, this polished performance of one of the most moving works of British composition was tainted by the presence in the auditorium of very young and noisy children. The crying and chatter was incredibly distracting and the people involved seemed oblivious to the fact that it seemed inappropriate for them to stay. Fortunately by the second half the problem had been resolved and we were able to enjoy Jonathan Dove’s oratorio celebrating the short life of a young boy in which Brighton Festival Chorus were given full reign to do what they do best. Soloists Joan Rodgers and Ben Johnston gave great performances too and the Brighton Festival Youth Choir were particularly good. The work itself is multi layered and complex, at times insistent, at others gentle and simplistic. Dove uses a variety of texts about childhood from birth to, in this case a sadly premature demise. Moving stuff but never mawkish, far more celebratory. A thrilling experience.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 22 May
Rating:
Andrew Kay