Brighton Festival 60th Anniversary Highlights

The Brighton Festival is currently in full swing for its 60th anniversary, running until May 25. This year marks a shift in how the event is organized, with Executive Director Lucy Davies and Producing Director Beth Burgess moving away from the guest director model to focus on in-house productions. One of the central pieces of this new approach is Kohlhaas, the festival's first original production. Starring Arinzé Kene and directed by Omar Elerian, this adaptation of Heinrich von Kleist’s novella is playing at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange until May 5. The performance lasts 90 minutes and involves elements like water mist and loud noises, with ticket prices ranging from £10 for those on the festival waiting list to £45 for premium seats.

Music plays a significant role in this landmark edition, featuring several high-profile residencies and one-off performances at the Brighton Dome. The Patti Smith Quartet is scheduled for May 12, followed by an evening of words and music with Smith on May 13. Earlier in the month, Laurie Anderson presents The Republic of Love on May 6, and tonight, May 7, the Asian Dub Foundation performs a live soundtrack to the film La Haine. Other upcoming musical highlights include Sampa the Great collaborating with W.I.T.C.H. on May 9, and Angélique Kidjo on May 16. For those interested in classical or orchestral works, the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano performs on May 8, while a reimagining of Bronski Beat’s The Age of Consent and a performance of Bach’s St John Passion have already taken place earlier this week.

Theatrical and circus performances are spread across various venues, including the Theatre Royal Brighton where Emma Rice’s company performs Malory Towers from May 19 to May 23. At Black Rock, NoFit State Circus is staged throughout the month with their show carnation. The festival also includes contemporary dance and experimental theater, such as Dark Noon by fix+foxy from May 21 to May 24 and the Akram Khan Company’s Thikra: Night of Remembering on May 23 and 24. For those looking for literature and debate, Philippa Perry is scheduled for today, May 7, and Michael Rosen appeared earlier in the week. The program also features community-focused events like the 40th Children’s Parade and the 10th year of the Our Place initiative, alongside free installations like Soft Machines on Hove Promenade and Shhh... in Newhaven.