The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

If you’re looking for something to do in Brighton towards the end of May, there’s a performance of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner coming to the Brighton Open Air Theatre on 27 May 2026. It’s being put on by the company Troubadour Stageworks, and it’s a bit of a different take on Coleridge’s famous poem. Rather than a traditional adaptation, the production is described as a "blustering theatrical blunder through brine, blood and ballads." It features two performers, Mingma Hughes and Gavin Brooks, who act as troubadours. They use a mix of stories, songs, and poems to explore the sea, covering everything from real-life shipwrecks to folklore about selkies. The goal, according to the production notes, is to get to what they call the "emotional truth of the sea," which should make for an interesting evening given the setting. The venue itself, Brighton Open Air Theatre, is tucked away in Dyke Road Park and offers a pretty unique backdrop for this kind of storytelling. It’s the kind of space where you feel quite connected to the performers, which seems to fit the style of this show perfectly.

The show kicks off at 19:00, and since it’s at the open-air theatre, it’s worth keeping an eye on the weather, as that’s always the gamble with outdoor venues in Brighton. The performance runs for about 90 minutes, and there is an interval included, which is useful for grabbing a drink or just stretching your legs. It’s a nice way to experience the park in the early evening. If you’re planning to go, tickets are priced at £17 for standard entry, or £16 if you qualify for a concession. It’s billed as suitable for anyone aged 5 and up, though it’s worth noting that there is a strict "babes in arms" policy, meaning children under 2 years old aren't permitted at this specific event. It sounds like a fairly intimate way to spend an evening, especially if you enjoy folk-inspired storytelling and want to make the most of the outdoor theatre season before the summer really hits its stride.