The Skins By Kayleigh Benham

If you are looking for something a bit different to do in Brighton towards the end of May, there is a new production coming to The Lantern Theatre that caught my eye. It is called The Skins, written by Kayleigh Benham and produced by the local collective Halfway Down Theatre. They are a group known for focusing on queer voices and stories that lean into the playful and the bold, and this show seems to follow that same path.

The premise is quite specific: it is an anarchic comedy that mixes puppetry with pop-culture references and, surprisingly, a deep affection for Princess Diana. The story follows a character named Jen who stumbles upon an alien lair and finds herself in a race against time to stop an extraterrestrial named Beryl Stump from becoming the Prime Minister of the UK. It sounds like a chaotic mix, featuring appearances from characters like Austin Powers and Larry, the Downing Street cat. The production uses oversized puppets and props to tell this story, which is described as a fast-paced experience.

It is worth noting that the show is designed to be interactive, with the audience invited to help 'save the planet' throughout the performance. It is framed as a camp and political piece, aiming to offer a bit of humour regarding the current state of the world. If you are interested in checking it out, the performances are scheduled for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of May 2026. All shows start at 19:00 at The Lantern Theatre, located at 77 St James's Street. Tickets are priced at £7.50, which makes it a fairly accessible option if you are in the mood for some theatre that doesn't take itself too seriously.