Brighton Festival fun starts here
23 days of arts and entertainment for the city
For some, it heralds the start of summer – a time of warm weather, ice creams and Brighton rock. However, there’s no mistaking that for the last 47 years, the month of May has become synonymous with Brighton Festival. As England’s most established mixed arts Festival, it’s become a major milestone in the international cultural calendar.
This year poet, author, broadcaster and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen takes on the role of Guest Director, following in the footsteps of Anish Kapoor, Brian Eno, Aung San Suu Kyi and Vanessa Redgrave.
From mind-boggling circus feats to emotive theatre, spectacular live music concerts, dynamic dance and thought-provoking debate, the festival is as eclectic, daring and astounding as ever. Following the annual Children’s Parade, Michael Rosen kicks off events with the World Premiere concert of ‘The Great Enormo – A Kefuffle In B Flat For Orchestra, Wasps And Soprano’ – before taking part in a number of events across the three weeks. Highlights include contemporary circus company Circa, who return to Brighton and join forces with vocal ensemble I Fagiolini for ‘How Like An Angel’, a stunning performance of aerial work and classical music held in the majestic setting of All Saints Church, Hove.
Benjamin Britten’s centenary year will be celebrated in style with the world premiere of Britten: The Canticles, co-commissioned by Brighton Festival and featuring an amazing cast and artists from the worlds of theatre, art and choreography. Gigs from the likes of Sinead O’Connor, The Flaming Lips, jazz pianist Zoe Rahman and electronic artist Apparat ensure contemporary music lovers are also equally catered for.
Theatre-goers can expect the infamous Bullet Catch and a re-telling of Beowulf in The Spiegeltent, a new production of The Kite Runner at the Theatre Royal Brighton and the UK Premiere of Lola Arias’ moving play My Life After, whilst visual Finnish artist Kaarina Kaikkonen takes up residency at Fabrica and Lighthouse with two very special installations.
As theatres, art galleries, churches and the most unlikely of site-specific venues throw open their doors in celebration of the very best in local, national and international arts, we take a look at the festival below in a day by day picture special, inside Latest 7 magazine (issue 618), out now.
Here are some highlights:
The Contents of a House
World Premiere Commissioned by Brighton Festival
Preston Manor is the epitome of Edwardian glamour. Yet inside its walls is a treasure trove of objects, images and histories dating back to the Domesday Book. This subversive promenade piece – led by performance artist Peter Reder – seeks to reanimate the building and the artefects within it, bringing the Manor’s forgotten past back to life.
Sat 4 – Sun 26 May (no performances on Monday), Preston Manor
Kaarina Kaikkonen – The Blue Route
Co-Commissioned by Brighton Festival
One of Finland’s leading artists creates two large-scale installations in Fabrica – and a yet to be disclosed outdoor site – for this Brighton Festival co-commission. Best known for major works using hundreds of discarded men’s jackets, Kaikkonnen’s work uses simple, everyday objects to explore and evoke themes of collective memory, loss and local history.
Sat 4 – Sun 26 May, Fabrica and outdoor site, free.
Mariele Neudecker
The vast panoramas of Neudecker’s Heterotopias and other domestic landscapes (co-commissioned by Brighton Festival) and the secret technology of war in installation The Air Itself Is One Vast Library are two very different exhibitions from the acclaimed German artist. Taking place at The Regency Town House and Lighthouse this May, the two pieces see Brighton Festival continue its partnership with HOUSE 2013.
Sat 4 – Sun 26 May, The Regency Town House and Lighthouse, free
Under The Shadow of the Drone
Contemporary military technology is under scrutiny in James Bridle’s outdoor installation. The unmanned aerial vehicle – or drone – has become one of the most potent weapons in modern warfare. As a drone silhouette appears in an unexpected outdoor site, we are prompted to consider the implications of a drone attack on our own community – making these controversial weapons of war visible on our streets.
Sat 4 – Sun 26 May, Outdoor site, free
Hofesh Shechter Company – Nomad Land
Commissioned by Brighton Festival
This collaborative dance and film project sees men from across the generations come together with Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival resident company Hofesh Shechter Company to explore the dynamics, energy and complexity of male relationships. Inspire by Hofesh Shechter’s work Uprising, the project sees local men create movement duets.
Sat 4 – Sat 18 May, University of Brighton Gallery, free
Public booking for Brighton Festival opens on Friday 8 March, but members’ priority booking is already open. To become a member, visit www.brightondome.org and click on ‘Support Us’
For the full programme of events, click here
