Brighton Festival 2013: Theatre Highlights

The best in international and national theatre on your doorstep

The Disappearances Project
With one of Brighton Festival 2013’s themes exploring the idea of lives lived and lives lost, it’s appropriate that Australian theatre company Version 1.0 bring this incredibly moving piece of theatre to the city. Incorporating collected testimony and specially commissioned film, this European premiere explores the effects of long-term missing persons cases on family members and communities and has been described as a ‘beautifully crafted and moving work’ by Sydney Morning Herald.
Sat 4–Mon 6 May, 8pm, Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome

We’re Gonna Die
Young Jean Lee is a New York based OBIE award-winning director and playwright renowned for her adventurous and experimental work. Joined by her band Future Wife for this UK premiere, We’re Gonna Die is a fusion of theatre and live music that takes a playful, philosophical and ultimately life-affirming look at mortality.
Tues 7–Thu 9 May, 8pm, Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome

Bigmouth
Belgian performer Valentijn Dhaenens delves into over 2,500 years of oratory to highlight that he who picks his words well can turn the weakest argument into the strongest. Ingeniously weaving together fragments of seminal speeches from the likes of the Grand Inquisitor and Socrates to Mohammed Ali and Osama Bin Laden, Bigmouth shows that the tricks of rhetoric have hardly changed. A captivating, fast-paced and fascinating experience.
Thu 9–Sat 11 May, 9pm (Thu & Sat), 8pm (Fri), Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome

The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini’s bestseller gets its UK tour debut in this adaptation from acclaimed playwright and director Matthew Spangler. Following their success at a kite flying competition, childhood chums Amir and Hassan find their lives and friendship changed forever after a violent run-in with a local bully. A deeply moving piece of work that explores ideas of loyalty, guilt and redemption.
Tue 21–Sat 25 May, 7.30pm, matinee 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only), Theatre Royal Brighton

Winners and Losers
Long-time friends Marcus and James sit down to play a game– the rules are simple. Taking it in turns to say a name, place or object, the duo debate over whether they are one of life’s winners or losers. As their discussion continues, things start to get personal, and soon the pair are discussing each other’s families and their friendship itself in this European premiere.
Wed 22–Fri 24 May, 8pm (Wed & Thu), 6.30pm (Fri), Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome

King Lear
Globe Theatre on Tour bring the Bard’s tragic tale of madness and betrayal to the city for these special open-air performances. King Lear wants to break his kingdom into pieces and divide it amongst his three daughters – but deception and greed darken his good intentions. Set in St Nicholas Rest Garden on Dyke Road, bring a picnic and blanket!
Thu 23–Sun 26 May, 6pm, matinee 1pm (Sat & Sun), St Nicholas Rest Garden

Here All Night
This world premiere from Beckett Project Paris interweaves Samuel Beckett’s text and music with original compositions from Paul Clark. Performed by Beckett expert Conor Lovett alongside an ensemble cast of musicians and choral singers, this promises to be a refreshing approach to the Irish novelist’s work.
Fri 17–Sun 19 May, 8pm, matinee 4pm (Sat),
The Old Market

The Bear
Angela meets her client who is on trial for murder. He’s obviously lying or mad, as he blames ‘the bear’. Without quite knowing why, Angela finds herself hunting the bear. Until she discovers the bear is hunting her. Performer Angela Clerkin draws from her parallel existence as a solicitor’s clerk at the Old Bailey to create a fun, film noir-inspired whodunit interspersed with bear facts, songs and much more!
Mon 13 & Tue 14 May, 7.30pm, Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome

Book Burning
Your typical road movie meets blood curdling tale in this atmospheric look at freedom and democracy. Pieter De Buysser and Hans Op De Beeck’s UK premiere takes you on a flight of fancy as an enigmatic trunk undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis to reveal landscapes and visions from the past.
Thu 16 May, 8pm, The Basement