Brighton Festival: Staged

A truly international programme of theatre

Roundabout
A Brighton Festival debut, Paines Plough – who many consider the national theatre for new writing – bring their much loved and award-winning pop-up theatre Roundabout to Regency Square for the duration of the festival, complete with a cast performing several shows in rep. Performances include the witty Lungs, the thrilling The Initiate, the moving Every Brilliant Thing and the delightfully wicked children’s show Our Teacher’s A Troll.
Sat 2 – Sun 24 May, Our Teacher’s a Troll (Sat 2 – Sat 16 May), Lungs (Sat 2 – Fri 22 May), The Initiate (Sun 3 – Fri 22 May), Every Brilliant Thing (Tue 19 – Sun 24 May), various times, Roundabout (in Regency Square)

The Apple Family Plays
Richard Nelson’s quartet of plays focussing on the dramas, politics and changes within the fictional Apple family across several years makes its UK premiere in something of a theatre coup for the festival. Each play – That Hopey Changey Thing, Sweet & Sad, Sorry, Regular Singing – was originally performed in New York on the night it was set; often key dates in America’s political and historical calendar, such as the re-election of Barack Obama in 2012 or the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. With a cast made up of some of New York’s finest stage actors and a slew of awards including and Obie and a New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best ensemble acting, it’s no surprise to hear the New York Times hailed the plays as ‘one of the great accomplishments in American theater to date this century’. What’s best – each play can be viewed separately or together, with an option to see all four in a marathon viewing. You can also hear Richard Nelson in conversation with The Guardian’s Michael Billington on Sun 3 May at 4.30pm.
Sat 2 May – Mon 4 May, That Hopey Changey Thing (6.30pm, Sat), Sweet & Sad (8.45pm. Sat), Sorry (6pm, Sun), Regular Singing (8.30pm, Sun), The Apple Family Plays marathon (Mon 4 May, 12pm – That Hopey Changey Thing, 2.15pm – Sweet & Sad, 6pm – Sorry, 8.30pm – Regular Singing), Brighton Dome Corn Exchange

The Spalding Suite
Combining original poetry with contemporary movement, this new work from adventurous theatre company Fuel and spoken word artist Inua Ellams is a new physical theatre show that celebrates the elegance and beauty of basketball, seen from a British perspective. Getting to the heart and soul of the gravity-defying game and delving into the hopes and dreams of those who play it alongside the friendship and camaraderie behind the sport, six performers will mix live beatboxing, music, hip-hop, basketball inspired movement and poetry in a wholly unique event.
Tue 5 & Wed 6 May, 8pm, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange

Backstage in Biscuit Land
Jess Thom is one of 300,000 people in Britain with Tourette’s syndrome. It’s a condition that makes her say ‘biscuit’ 16,000 times a day, and gives her a truly unique outlook on life – one which feeds into this spontaneous and creative theatrical performance… a show that really is different each time you see it, chiefly down to the fact that Jess is neurologically incapable of staying on script.
Thu 7 & Fri 8 May, 8pm, Brighton Dome Studio Theatre

The Beautiful Cosmos of Ivor Cutler
Making its English premiere, National Theatre of Scotland and theatre company Vanishing Point – who many will remember for their stunning shows Interiors at Brighton Festival 2012 and Tomorrow at Brighton Festival 2014 – present their heart-warming tale of legendary British eccentric, musician, poet and performance artist Ivor Cutler. The play fuses Cutler’s music, poetry, prose and biography to create a real feel-good piece of theatre – do not miss it!
Wed 13 – Sun 17 May, 2.30pm (Sat & Sun) & 7.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton

Freeze!
This event from Fringe First Award winner Nick Steur truly rocks, as he balances stones on top of each other to create live sculptures. There’s no glue or cement involved, just sheer concentration and wonderfully absorbing theatricality. Audiences are even encouraged to bring their own, provided it’s bigger than your fist – it’s a mind-boggling spectacle.
Mon 18 – Wed 20 May, 7.30pm (Mon), 6.30pm & 9pm (Tue & Wed), Friends Meeting House

The Red Chair
Clod Ensemble’s latest work is a surreal ballad that tells the tale of a man who cannot stop eating, his ever-cooking wife, and their somewhat ignored daughter. With this dark, original fairy-tale at its heart, the piece – which explores extreme compulsion and features stunning movement – lies somewhere between a Grimms’ Tale, an absurdist ghost story and a parent’s guide on how not to bring up children.
Fri 22 & Sat 23 May, 7.30pm, Brighton Dome Studio Theatre