Stage: Shipping News

Brighton Festival also heralds the second season for Brighton Open Air Theatre, the brainchild and final wish of the talented and much missed Adrian Bunting. With one season under its belt and a confident management team now at the helm this second season promises to see this newest of venues reaching its real potential.
The venue itself is spectacular in both its structure and location, the horseshoe seating and long thrust stage offer almost limitless opportunities for all manner of performances from theatre to live music and the season’s programme reflects just that.
Here are just a few of the highlights. On 10th May you might be accompanying your family pet to experience Laurie Anderson’s Music For Dogs. This 20-minute piece has been specifically designed for the canine ear, including frequencies audible only to dogs, as well as other sounds for humans to enjoy.
On 20th May and for three nights The Amateurs present A Little Prince, a contemporary new musical adaptation of Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince that will dazzle the youngest audiences, while seducing and capturing the adult ones.

And from 25th May the Globe Theatre Company on Tour present The Two Gentlemen of Verona. This riotous new production is led by a joyful ensemble of players who will delight with songs, romance and chaos, and hurl Shakespeare’s anarchic comedy into the 21st century. Surely unmissable!
In June, Heritage Opera present Don Giovanni, the compelling tale of one man’s rampage through the hearts and minds of every woman he meets. Later that month Otherplace Productions present The Marlowe Papers. Join playwright and secret agent Philip Marlowe on his journey into exile as he recounts tales of beer-drinking, duels and spying that led to his losing lovers, friends and his very identity. Later in the season there are more outings for Shakespeare, The Importance of Being Earnest and a staging of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility as well as Brighton Little Theatre’s Frankenstein. Look out too for Starboard Festival in July, 16 days of outdoor performance for and by children.
These are merely the tip of an iceberg of great events to entertain all ages, so pack a picnic and a traveling rug and get up to Dyke Road to enjoy Brighton’s excellent new open air theatre.
www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk