Stage: Flit, Flap & Fly, Brighton Dome is engaging with a younger audience and for free

As a theatre lover and regular attendee from a very early age I am often saddened by two things. Firstly the ever increasing age of the audiences that I am part of. I have to say that as a man in my early 60s I am often in the lower age bracket of those assembled. Secondly I notice that when there are younger people in the audience many of them seem not to realise that, unlike a DVD or a computer stream, live theatre can neither be paused or rewound. It happens live and once only at any given performance.

There you have it, a moan I know but a heartfelt one and one promoted by reading about a piece of theatre not only created for young audiences, very young, but also one that is free to see. Now what could be better than that and hats off to Brighton Dome for making this possible and easily accessible.

Flit, Flap & Fly is an adventure that follows a young bird’s frantic and funny journey towards independence, and his relationship with his fine-singing father. Suitable for all ages (but particularly aimed at 4-7 year olds and their accompanying big people) the audience is invited to join Chick and Dad in the nest, where they find themselves part of the daily life of a unique bird family. Bursting with live music and audience participation, everyone in the nest can learn birdsongs and get ready to take flight for the first time.

Space inside the nest is limited to 30 people, however it is still possible to watch the show from outside of the nest.

A young bird’s frantic and funny journey towards independence

Brighton Dome is also taking this free show, by Fine Chisel, to Carden, Moulsecoomb and Peter Gladwin primary schools, as well as to Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

Fine Chisel is a multi award-winning theatre company and band based in Bristol. After five years on the touring circuit making shows for adults, in 2015 they became Associate Artists at the Egg (Theatre Royal Bath’s dedicated theatre for children and young people). The Guardian has described them as: “An engaging company of boundless potential”.

This is a terrific opportunity to introduce youngsters to the joy of live performance in an engaging and totally free way, and one that I urge you all to take best advantage of.

Sat 15 July, Blakers Park, 11.30am, 1pm, 3pm
Sun 16 July, William Clark Park
(The Patch), 11.30am, 1pm, 3pm
Ages 4-7, FREE
Ticket Office: 01273 709709 brightondome.org