Brighton’s Nightingale Theatre to fly from Grand Central nest

A popular Brighton theatre is set to fly from its spiritual nest.

After more than a decade of putting on shows above the Grand Central pub in Surrey Street, The Nightingale will leave its base tonight (Friday March 28).

With the pub being taken over by new owners who want to extensively refurbish the premises, theatre bosses saw it as the ideal opportunity to take their unique brand of small-scale productions on the road.

A theatre space above the Grand Central bar evolved over many years.

It was eventually formalised into its current setup in 2004 when the premises was last refurbished.

A Nightingale spokeswoman said new owners Fullers did offer the company a space in the redeveloped building – but it was felt the planned changes would limit its theatrical work.

Upcoming shows are already planned to take place in the city’s Marlborough Theatre and in pop-up Victorian bath huts installed in New Road, Brighton during the Festival and Fringe.

A final celebration will take place at the theatre tonight.

Steven Brett, The Nightingale’s artistic director, said: “Challenge is inherent in our lives of adventure.

“We are on a great adventure at The Nightingale – we have been for some time – and now our adventure will take a new turn.

“That journey will be driven, as it always has, by our passion for what’s really good in new, innovative and small-scale performance, anywhere in Brighton.”

For more details visit http://www.nightingaletheatre.co.uk/