Custard Club

Brighton Fringe 26 is approaching, and one of the productions scheduled for this year is Custard Club, written by and starring Alice Harris-Deans. The play centres on a character named Nancy who is looking for a sense of queer community. To find it, she brings together four women from different decades of the twentieth century to sit at her table. It is described as a trans-historical piece that incorporates elements like impromptu drag numbers and custard fights, which gives a sense of the tone the production aims for. Those familiar with works like Top Girls or 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche might find some thematic parallels here, as it explores similar ground regarding women’s history and shared experiences. The narrative structure spans four decades, focusing on the interactions between these five women and the secrets they share, blending historical reflection with performance art.

The performances are taking place at The Lantern Theatre, located in Brighton. The run begins on 24 May 2026 at 14:00. Following this, there are additional shows on 25 May at 14:00, 26 May at 17:00, and two evening performances on 27 and 28 May, both starting at 19:00. Tickets for these sessions are priced between £10.00 and £13.00, with some additional booking fees applied at the point of purchase. Given the venue’s size and the nature of the Fringe programme, it is a space that often hosts smaller, more intimate productions, which seems to suit the scale of this particular story.

For anyone interested in contemporary theatre that explores queer identity and community through a non-traditional lens, this production offers a specific look at those themes within the context of the wider Brighton Fringe schedule. The combination of the historical setting and the more physical, comedic elements suggests a production that is trying to balance serious themes with a lighter, more performative approach. It is a piece that seems to rely on the chemistry between the five characters as they navigate their shared history over the course of the play. If you are planning your schedule for the Fringe, these dates provide a few different options to catch the show depending on your availability during that week in May.