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Theatre shows in the Fringe Festival excelled this year, with Kefi Chadwick’s Mathematics Of The Heart a highlight, selling out in advance of its run at the wonderful Marlborough Theatre. A beautifully constructed play developed as part of Brighton Festival Artists’ Development, Mathematics… is about relationships between four protagonists whose lives, loves, hopes and dreams untangle over the 90 minutes.

Based on the ideas of Chaos Theory, Paul MacMillan is actually a doctor of Chaos Theory living in the shadow of his recently deceased father (himself a mathematics teacher), and whose life, along with his brother ‘Chancer’ and his girlfriend Emma, becomes as unpredictable and unstable as the weather patterns he studies. Performed in the round, with a minimalist set that involved the building of a boat made out of cardboard, it sailed along with skill and aplomb, with the traditional rules of theatre being gently manipulated such as the interplay with the sound tech and the subtle interaction between audience and performers.

Very funny, very poignant, and with real feeling and depth, all the actors excelled (particularly James Wallace who played the Doctor), creating new and meaningful twists and turns on this age-old study of faltering and then redeemed relationships.

Marlborough Theatre, 25 May
Jeff Hemmings
Rating:

Duncan Sibbald’s labour of love is a deeply moving and honest portrayal of his battle with his mother’s manic depression. Being able to laugh at such a topic while also being informed and saddened is a powerful thing. I also loved the vulnerability of Yvo Luna; the account of her life was shocking and fascinating and I’m sure there is a book there just waiting to be written. Overall, the production was outstanding and this has the potential to grow into something much bigger and I hope it does, as it is so important to raise awareness on this still, very much, taboo subject.

28 May, Friends Meeting House

Rating: 5/5

Rosie Pearson

An evening of beautiful music by three very talented musicians, The Hilser Trio performed a range of repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music. With Rachel Smith on flute, Rachel Firmager on cello and Rachel Fryer on piano, ‘Les Trois Rachels’ were each outstanding in their performances and clearly work exceptionally well together. The music had me lost and drawn in, forgetting everything but the sound and presence of what I was hearing; which was vibrant, lively and energetic recitals by three prize-winning instrumentalists! And as if the evening couldn’t get any better, the interval provided us with yummy homemade cakes and tea. A brilliant way to start the weekend.

27 May, Friends Meeting House

5/5

Laura Hayward

Brighton Goes Gospel Choir’s performance was absolutely outstanding. In a period of just 14 weeks, they have managed to create something so sensational, and I, luckily, was there to witness it. With a fabulous choir director, a fabulous band, and fabulous, talented gospel singers, this gospel choir were professional and clearly hard working. The audience were invited to join in, and boy we did; swaying in the aisles to Bob Marley, and momentarily silenced at an incredible performance of ‘Amazing Grace’. This was a rare night where you know you had witnessed something truly great and special, and felt inspired to join; my next port of call. I would advise anyone, one hundred and ten per cent, to not miss out on Brighton Goes Gospel Choir’s next performance.

21 May, Hove Town Hall

5/5

Laura Hayward