Leila Navabi: Relay

Leila Navabi is bringing her show, Relay, to the Brighton Dome on 22 May 2026. This one-person punk-musical explores the process of building a queer family on one's own terms. Navabi, who wrote and directed the piece, uses a combination of stand-up, electro-pop music, and hand-drawn animation to detail her experience of trying to have a baby at home with her partner. The narrative includes her best friend acting as a sperm donor while her boyfriend observes the process. The production was noted in The Guardian’s list of shows to catch during the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe and received a nomination for the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence. It serves as a look at the intersection of personal ambition and the realities of family planning.

The performance lasts for approximately one hour and moves between comedic moments and more grounded reflections on love and the challenges of building a family when navigating systems that are not always built for non-traditional arrangements. For those interested in attending, the show is scheduled for 19:30 in the Concert Hall at the Brighton Dome, located on Church Street. Standard tickets are currently priced at £17.00, though it is advisable to check the venue’s website for the most current pricing information. The Brighton Dome is a Grade 1 listed building that provides accessibility schemes for visitors, and those driving can use the NCP Theatre Car Park nearby.

This date in Brighton is part of a larger UK tour scheduled for 2026. Before the show reaches the city, Navabi will be performing in locations such as Liverpool, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Bristol. The show’s approach to storytelling, which blends the absurd with the profound, is intended to reflect on the idea that family is defined by actions rather than just traditional structures. By incorporating various artistic mediums, the performance offers a specific perspective on contemporary life and the complexities of modern relationships. It is a piece that fits into the wider 2026 programme at the Brighton Dome, providing an opportunity to see a production that has been touring across the country.