Today's idea - Canary, at the Theatre Royal

Today, drama!

"In 1960's Liverpool Tom and Billy hide in the closet, then go their separate ways. As pits close and the dole queues grow, Mikey and Russell escape to find Heaven in 1980's London. But today the paparazzi turn judge and jury over a love story that could tear this family apart. And then there's Ellie, who's lost up a mountain with a vicar.

A deeply moving, funny, uplifting and often magical story about love, honesty and being brave enough to sing out at the top of your voice. With style.

Written by the multi award-winning Jonathon Harvey (Beautiful Thing, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Hushabye Mountain and Coronation Street) and directed by Hettie MacDonald who once again collaborates with Jonathon having directed both the original stage and film versions of his glorious Beautiful Thing. A stellar cast includes Paula Wilcox (Man about the House, The Smoking Room, Emmerdale) and Sean Gallagher (Linda Green, Heartbeat, Coronation Street).

A powerhouse of touring theatre, ETT stages thrilling and ambitious theatre that is vigorous, popular and entertaining. Following their triumphant production of Roger McGough's The Hypochondriac at Theatre Royal Brighton in 2009, ETT again joins forces with Liverpool's Everyman and Playhouse theatres."

It's a new play at the Theatre Royal. Bored of Brighton would quite like to go to see this - we think it sounds very good! It's by Jonathon Harvey, directed by Hettie MacDonald. Find out more information here. It's between £15-£28 depending on whether you're a student, your seat, and other things like that. We apologise for a bit of a PR copy today, Bored of Brighton's real-world meetings have overflowed.

Today's idea - Oscar Wilde's Salome at the Theatre Royal

Today the Theatre Royale brings Oscar Wilde's Salome to life. In keeping with Wilde's dramatic writing, "Salome is a lyrical yet shocking piece of storytelling from one of the greatest writers of the last two hundred years. It is fragile, savage and shimmeringly beautiful, rendered exquisite poetry and unforgettable theatrical images. Headlong and Curve Theatre, Leicester present a vivid contemporary production of this rarely-seen masterpiece."

The plot is thus:

"The brutal power of ancient myth collides with twentieth century decadence in Oscar Wilde's dazzling verse tragedy. Salome, stepdaughter of King Herod, agrees to perform the mysterious dance of the seven veils but demands in return the head of the King's most influential prisoner - John the Baptist."

It comes from director Jamie Lloyd, one of the most critically acclaimed young directors in British theatres, and is performed by Headlong, a fantastic and innovative theatre companies at the moment. The Theatre Royal's responsible for a brilliant standard of production, and this sounds to be no exception.

It's running until 29th June.
Time: 7:45pm (Thurs and Sat matinee 2:30pm)
Website & tickets: here
Cost: £14-28
Map: here

Today's idea - License, at Brighton Fringe (with 2-for-1 Tickets)

Today we recommend the last night of Licence. It sounds fantastically acted, captivating, and a little bit interactive we suspect. Whilst part of me fears the idea of one-actor plays, the reviews sound a little bit gushing and epic, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

"It’s rare, during the interval, for all the audience to get to the theatre bar first. But for Brighton audiences, a dream might be about to come true. During performances of “Licence” the in-house barstaff will appear to serve beer, spritzers, comedy and tragedy all in generous non-regulation measures as you witness the end-days of “the establishment.”"

Yes, well - the intro's not all the clear but the blurb suggests it'll be brilliant. Althouh that's a characteristic of 'blurb', small plays in Brighton can be absolutely fantastic and this one sounds quirky in the best way. I'm planning to see it tonight, so excuse the c&p-ing, it's to avoid to making any false assumptions about what you can expect:

“Licence” is the latest one-person theatre piece from local writer and performer, Jonathan Brown. ‘Set in Brighton, “Licence” starts out the gripping tale of the last days of a “hostel”, as told by Bernie whose drive, to shift units, and to be popular with his regulars severely undermines his intimacy with his son and his own inner world,' Brown describes.

'Indeed it’s the perfect distraction, enabling him to submerge ancient, forgotten and forbidden feelings. Through an emerging subplot, that carries subtle undertones of unrealised sexuality, we see how a terror of emotionality, can drive a man away from his feelings, and into whatever "industry" will happily help him bury them. I call it one man’s Odyssey, to save his son and his own sanity from the sinister forces he’s exposed them both to!’

“Licence” is Jonathan’s fourth successful one-person show. His previous trilogy ‘The Father Monologues’ is also set in Brighton and earned him a Best Male Performer Award nomination at the Brighton Fringe in 2007. 
Brighton-born, Jonathan enjoys the autonomy of one-person plays, and is often told by audience members “I remember your show as though there were many more than one performer.” But he’s branching out for his next play, which is written for more than one. Set in Victorian East Brighton, it’s the story of the digging of the world’s deepest hand-dug well (at 1300ft, deeper than the Empire State Building is high.) Meanwhile, during Licence, it’s not water that’s welling up fast. But sweat, blood and tears!"

"Outstanding… a consummate actor… held the audience single-handedly in awe with his amazing multi-characterisations… Impeccably acted, completely convincing, extremely amusing, profoundly sad. Every nuance examined with finesse & intelligence. I cannot praise (it) enough. From the evident skill as an actor to the profundity & humour of his writing. A huge talent." Ian Reuben (Journalist)

"A huge writing and acting talent." (Nick Stockman, Brighton Fringe Manager).


Contains strong language. Suitable for 12+ yr olds.

Cost: £7 concessions, £9 adult - a 2-for-1 deal is running tonight, horray!
Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm
Location: Brighton Town hall

Today's idea - Origin of the Species, the Musical

Today, a musical about Charles Darwin. Brilliant. Described as "Gloriously fun" by ThreeWeeks, the Edinburgh sell-out show comes to Brighton tonight. It comes with limited information but with gushing reviews:

"..by Means of Natural Selection or the Survival of (R)Evolutionary Theories in the Face of Scientific and Ecclesiastical Objections: Being a Musical Comedy about Charles Darwin (1809-1882)"

It stars John Hinton, who critics are also gushing about.

"John Hinton is entertaining beyond all belief" Educated Burgher

"19th-century science can rarely have been so fascinating and never so much fun" Stage

From Tangram, it's showing at Komedia tonight and runs until Wednesday 12 May. We are excited by a singing Darwin.

Time: 7pm
Cost: £6 or £10
Information: here
Tickets: here

Today's idea - Brighton Festival does 'Icarus'

Tonight the New Venture Theatre presents its contribution to the Brighton Festival with 'Icarus'. Based on Ovid's Poem the myth of Icarus' flight and fall is explored by three performers within a promenade setting (no seating 'immersive' stuff). I like Icarus, and the adaptation sounds good. The plot's this:

"Imprisoned in the labyrinth of the Minotaur with his son, the inventor Daedalus creates wings out of feathers and wax in order to escape. He warns Icarus, his son to follow his route and not get too close to the sea or the sun, as either would destroy the wings. Playing with the winds in excitement, Icarus gets carried away, flies too close to the sun and falls into the sea, where he dies.

Following individual stories relating to Icarus’ parable, an emotional journey unfolds using strong visual and physical imagery. Set within the intimate space of the studio, audience members are invited to create their own pathway and explore different stories and perspectives and ultimately become part of the journey."

Director Saskia Ulrike Schilling draws on personal experience, saying she wanted "to look at the emotional voyage of Icarus and give him a voice," citing an interesting history. "I was born in the communist and socialist East Germany, then lived in the re-united capitalist Germany before moving to England; a journey exploring a freedom my parents did not experience and hence living their hopes and dreams combined with my own.”

They threaten the arrival of some darkness and strobe lighting during the play. In immersion [no seating] plays, I'm a sucker for this stuff.

Time: 7:45pm
Location: New Venture Theatre
Map: here

Reserve tickets: here
Runs until: Saturday 8th May (no performance 8th May)

Today's idea - Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution

(Important notice: yesterday's event takes place on Saturday 1st May)

Today, this may stem from an affair with day-time TV at a young age, in which Agatha Christie seemed to be permanently on television, but I'd choose to see Agatha Cristie's 'Witness for the Prosecution'. It's taking place at the Theatre Royal Brighton tonight - and runs until Saturday May 1st, when all the Festival and Fringe events start taking off!

"Emily French, an elderly woman who plans to leave her considerable estate to the charming young Leonard, is found dead. Murdered. Though he protests his innocence, Leonard quickly becomes the prime suspect. His plea hinges on his wife’s testimony, until the sudden appearance of a mysterious young woman, bearing an unexpected clue. Will the truth be revealed in time or will Leonard be declared guilty at the hands of the Witness for the Prosecution?

In a world where everyone seems to be harbouring a dark secret, this gripping courtroom drama will keep you guessing until the final fatal moment."

We like gripping court room things (similarly I'm permanently head-over-heels with 'An Inspector Calls'). What's your favourite kind?

You can find tickets and information here. It costs £15-£28 and is on at 7:45pm (Saturday has a matinee too). Find a map here.

Today's idea - 'In Flames' at the Brighton Little Theatre

Today at the Brighton Little Theatre, In Flame, a new play by Charlotte Jones comes to the stage, followed by beaming quotes from The Sunday Times after its stint on the West End. “It has some of the best writing I have come across, vigorous, poetic and lethally funny, probing hearts with warmth, compassion and irony” the newspaper gushed.

The plot is thus:

"In Flame juxtaposes different periods. The present where we see Alex, a young woman, coping with a mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. Not only does she have to cope with her mother but Alex has to deal with a difficult flatmate and a selfish married lover. Meanwhile in 1908 Yorkshire, Alex's ancestors have a similarly stressful time: the simple minded Clara and the oppressed Livvy live with their stonily severe Gramma."

It sounds a tad unusual, presenting itself as "not only one play but two, with scenes intermingled from 1908 and the present day." Running until Saturday 17 April, it costs £7.50 a ticket and starts at 7:45pm. You can book tickets online or telephone the Box Office on 01273 777 748.

Find it on the map here.

Today's idea - Breaking The Code

Tonight I'm off to see Breaking The Code, and I recommend it, hoping it to be in the same performance as Frankly Outrageous, which we featured a couple of weeks ago.

"The fascinating but tragic story of Alan Turing: mathematician, 'Father' of computer science and a gay man in an intolerant era.

Compassionate and often amusing, the play explores the life of a man who broke two different codes: the Enigma Codes during WWII and the gentlemanly code of sexual discretion. By making little attempt to disguise his sexual predilections at a time when homosexuality is illegal, Turing is ultimately destroyed by the State he once saved."

It's showing at 7:45pm at New Venture Theatre, and costs £8.

Today's idea - Haunted at Theatre Royal

Today sees the penultimate performance of Haunted at the Theatre Royal. Starring Brenda Blenthyn, Brit actress of the year and Golden Globe collector, the play comes to Brighton before its move to London's West End. Yes, it's somewhat up-market and costs appropriately.

Written specifically for Blenthyn, author Edna O'Brien is a leading figure of Irish Literature:

"An extraordinary play about love and betrayal, HAUNTED tells the story of a captivating young woman, Hazel (Beth Cooke), who enters the life of the quixotic Mr Berry (Niall Buggy). Desperate not to lose her, he starts secretly giving away his wife's clothes in exchange for elocution lessons. But as his wife, (Brenda Blethyn), searches for the reason for her diminishing wardrobe, Mr Berry finds both of his relationships under threat in this poignant and enchanting tale of desire and regret."

The cast sounds award-laded. With Blenthyn twice Oscar-nominated, holding a stream of Cannes Film Festival, Golden FIPA awards, and co-star Buggy heralding from roles in An inspector Call, After Play, The Weir, and assorted others, the play should be fantastic.

It's on at 7:45pm and costs £29.00. Find tickets and info here.

Today's idea - See 'The Ugly One'

Yesterday on Brighton's Reverb radio I heard what essentially sounded like a segment involving the presenter reading a newspaper. I was confused as we don't have this segment of radio where i come from, but she payed nice music so it was okay. My point, is that this newspaper reading involved a mention of upcoming plays and entertainment type things. She mentioned 'The Ugly One', which was on my list to talk about and now it means that it must be talked about with slightly more gusto than normal.

'The Ugly One' comes out today at the New Venture Theatre and the blurb says thus of the plot:

"Lette, a happy employee of an electronics company, thought he was normal. But to everyone else, including his loving wife, he is 'unspeakably ugly'. When the extent of his ugliness is revealed he turns to a plastic surgeon for help. But after the bandages come off, he soon learns that there is such a thing as too beautiful."

It's a play involving eight characters played by four actors. Apparently the "role-changing becomes mind-bending as the characters proliferate and share names and faces. The last time I saw something like this was in a World War II play I saw with my school when i was 13. It was a professional acting 'troupe' and it was done really well. I rarely go to the theatre or such to see things in some form of acting (films and TV meanwhile, I am there) and I'd like to go again (because theatre is secretly fabulous, although maybe it's just me who doesn't know this.)

In good news, tickets cost £8, £6 on Tuesdays, and £9 on final night. This leaves you from between £1 - £4 from a tenner to spend on sweeties and wine and such good things.

Director Mike Stubbs says of 'The Ugly One': "This is a fantasy that relies on feeding the imagination of the audience. My aim is to create the world of cartoon comedy on stage where the only real thing is the laughter".

In other good words, they also call it "An evening of fantasy and farce that has the bounce and snap of music-hall cross-talk."

Find tickets and more info here, although I'd hurry as they might disappear soon. Opening night is tonight, and it closes on the 23rd. Which is soon, so chop chop!


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