Age is a Stage

Age is a Stage runs every Friday morning at Theatre Royal, from 11am to 12.30pm, with drop-ins welcome. It's a community project that brings theatre back into the lives of people aged 50 and over, built around play, creativity and the dramatic arts. The whole thing is open to everyone and you don't need any previous experience to join in.

At its heart, the project is about more than just acting. It sets out to forge new connections, build confidence, combat loneliness and offer a creative outlet for a generation that still feels young. The brief encourages participants to break the rules and be playful, and the sessions are designed to be inclusive rather than exclusive. John Baldock, General Manager of Theatre Royal Brighton, has described it as something that "reignites the joy and wonderment that we often lose when we get older."

If you're not in the city centre, there's a second group running on Tuesday mornings at Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham, from 10.30am to 12 noon, with sessions resuming on 8 September 2026. Both the Brighton and Shoreham groups are open to anyone 50+, so you can pick whichever fits your schedule better.

It costs £12 at Theatre Royal and £11 at Ropetackle, with a £10 rate for those who are unwaged. You can book in advance or just pay on the door.