Parody of the Rings

If you are looking for something a bit different to do in Brighton this week, there is a show happening at the Brighton Open Air Theatre that caught my eye. On Thursday, 14 May 2026, The Production Garden is putting on a performance called Parody of the Rings. It is an improvised comedy show with a fairly specific premise: the story is set in a local cinema where the ushers have somehow managed to lose every copy of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Left with nothing but the soundtracks, they have to improvise the entire saga from scratch in front of the audience.

It sounds like the kind of chaotic, unscripted comedy that relies heavily on the performers thinking on their feet. The show is scheduled to start at 19:00, though the venue opens its doors an hour earlier, which is usually a good time to grab a drink and settle into the space at Dyke Road Park. It is worth noting that the performance is classified for those aged 12 and over, and it runs for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, so it is a relatively concise evening out.

In terms of the logistics, tickets are priced at £17.00 for a standard entry, or £16.00 if you qualify for a concession. Since it is an open-air venue, it is always worth keeping an eye on the weather forecast for that Thursday evening, as Brighton weather can be unpredictable even in May. It is a straightforward setup—no frills, just a group of people trying to recreate a massive fantasy epic with limited resources and, presumably, a lot of improvisation. If you enjoy comedy that leans into the absurd and don't mind a bit of unpredictability, this might be worth checking out.