Fragments of Us

Brighton Festival is back this year, and one of the performances catching my eye for the upcoming weekend is Fragments of Us. It is an outdoor production by the Talawa Theatre Company, which is currently touring as part of their 40th-anniversary celebrations, known as Talawa 86:26. The company has teamed up with Without Walls to bring this piece to the city, and it is scheduled to take place at Black Rock on Madeira Drive.

The performance itself focuses on a cast of men and boys, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and vulnerability through a blend of dance and spoken word. It is interesting to see how they are using an outdoor setting to present these ideas, which often changes the dynamic between the performers and the audience compared to a traditional theatre space. The cast for this tour includes Seyi Falas, Eliezer Gore, Isaac Ouro-Gnao, and Jerone Marsh-Reid, with Waddah Sinada and Rhys Dennis serving as the lead artists.

If you are planning to head down to Black Rock to see it, the performances are happening on May 23 and 24, 2026. It is part of the festival's 'Weekend Without Walls' programme, and the event is free to attend. While some listings have categorised it under children's events, the subject matter regarding the identity of men and boys suggests it is intended for a broader audience. It is a straightforward opportunity to catch some contemporary performance work right on the seafront without needing to book tickets in advance.