Brighton’s newest theatre appoints artistic director

Treason Show founder, director and star Mark Brailsford has been named as the artistic director of Brighton’s newest theatre, the Rialto.

The theatre, in Dyke Road, Brighton, close to the Clock Tower, opened its doors earlier this month.

It is a joint venture between the Treason Show and the Pretty Villain Productions, set up by Roger Kay, the founder of property firm Just Lets.

Mark Brailsford

Mr Brailsford, who has been producing the Treason Show for 15 years, has spent the past five years trying to establish a theatre in Brighton.

Having eyed several potential venues, including Terraces, and properties in North Street and The Lanes, he said: “Several buildings fell through – one literally! But finally it’s happened.”

The first show at the Rialto was, almost inevitably, the Treason Show and the first play was Reno, staged by Pretty Villain, with Mr Brailsford directing.

He said that an eclectic and challenging season of new writing has been programmed from the spring onwards.

In the meantime he is preparing to stage the Treason Show Christmas Special, That Was The Year That Was, at the Brighton Dome Studio Theatre, formerly known as the Pavilion Theatre.

The annual end of year “best of” show runs from Saturday 27 December to Wednesday 31 December.