Stage: Emporium
A new venue for Brighton and Hove
There are rumblings of regeneration in London Road this year, and amongst the most noticeable this spring will be Emporium. We were lucky enough to be invited along for a sneak look at the premises before the contracts were finally signed and we have to report that the place shows plenty of promise.
The “redundant” Methodist Church (between the old Co-op department store (currently being remodelled to provide student accommodation we’d all go back to school to live in) and the store formerly known as Blockbusters, is set to open in May as a welcome new professional theatre for Brighton. Emporium will ultimately house a 120 seater Warehouse Theatre and a 250 capacity main house. Emporium will also be an all day café and buffet canteen, and of course have a gorgeous theatre bar.
Directors of the new business and seasoned theatre people Gary Blair and James Weisz moved in just a fortnight ago, with a pop-up programme already planned, and they have just a few weeks to create the first exciting performance space. Here are just a few highlights from that initial programme.
The Angina Monologue
“The Spirit is still willing. The flesh, however, has other ideas…”
When Doug Devaney lay clutching his chest on a Brighton hill three years ago, the last thing he was thinking of was how it might look on stage.
A tale of booze, bacon and the BBC Breakfast banquette. Join Doug as he opens Emporium’s first season with his raucous comic journey from cardiac ward through rehab to media career and beyond, picking up Barbara Windsor and a ukulele on the way!
Thu 9–Sun 12 May, 8pm, £5
Time for the Good Looking Boy
An extraordinary night in the life of an ordinary young man is shared with
the audience through memories and emotions. This compelling, witty and intimate play explores the harsh realities of growing up, independence and the consequences of a journey which will change lives forever.
Using the rhythms and gestures of rap, underscored by an original soundtrack, the play tells us of the love between a young man and his girlfriend and her concern about what will happen when she leaves for university. The play explores the emotional consequences of feeling abandoned by a father and the guilt after rejecting attempts at reconciliation.
Performances are followed by a 20 minute talkback session. Ages 14+.
Mon 13–Wed 15 May, 4pm & 7.30pm, (15 May – 4pm only) £13.50.
Shylock
Shylock has always divided opinion. Is he a villain or a victim? Or is he someone even more intriguing.This award winning, poignant, powerful yet humorous performance – from the company that created the Olivier Award-winning Morecambe – brings us Shylock afresh in one of the most globally successful solo shows of the last decade.
Guy Masterson, perhaps the world’s leading exponent of the form, demonstrates its brilliance, honouring one of Shakespeare’s finest creations from one of his greatest plays in a performance that celebrates the beauty of language, the power of history and the magic of theatre!
Wed 5 June, performance includes a post-show Q&A
During April, and beyond, Emporium are also offering free tours around the building whilst it’s a work in progress. Groups can be a single person or up to twenty strong. If you fancy a nosey round this beautiful building to see Emporium in the raw contact Chris on chris@emporiumbrighton.com
Details of the theatre shows, cabaret, classes, workshops and a week-long youth theatre bootcamp can all be found at www.emporiumbrighton.com together with the link to the box office to book tickets online – with no booking charge!
