Dark Noon

The 60th edition of the Brighton Festival is set to take place this year, and the programme includes a production titled Dark Noon. This theatrical experience is scheduled for 21 May 2026 at the Brighton Dome. Created by the company fix+foxy, the play presents a reimagining of American history through the perspective of an outsider. It is a production that has been staged in several international locations, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Factory International Manchester, St. Ann's Warehouse in New York, and the Sydney Festival.

The performance is structured around a cast of South African actors who construct a pioneer town on stage in real-time. This process serves as the backdrop for the narrative, which uses a combination of slapstick and satire to examine the history of the United States. The production presents the story of the Wild West through a lens that is distinct from traditional accounts. By doing so, the play addresses themes such as power, race, and displacement, allowing the audience to observe these historical concepts as they are reconstructed during the show.

For those planning to attend, the performance will be held at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange. The inclusion of Dark Noon is part of the broader schedule for the 60th Brighton Festival, which has recently announced its full programme. The show’s approach to its subject matter involves a physical transformation of the stage space, which is intended to create an immersive environment for the audience. As the cast builds the town, the narrative unfolds, providing a specific interpretation of the events and social dynamics that defined the American frontier. The production remains consistent in its format across its various international runs, and its arrival in Brighton offers a chance to see this specific theatrical work within the context of the local festival.