Wheel of Failure

Brighton Fringe is back, and with it comes the usual mix of experimental performances that pop up across the city. One of the shows appearing on the schedule this year is called Wheel of Failure. It is billed as a DIY game-show performance, which seems to lean into a slightly chaotic aesthetic. The premise involves a host who is described as a disgraced game-show presenter, accompanied by a 10-year-old assistant. The central hook of the show is that every win actually adds up to failure, which gives you a pretty clear idea of the tone they are aiming for. It is the kind of concept that relies heavily on the interaction between the host and the audience, typical of the smaller, more intimate shows you often find during the Fringe.

If you are looking to catch this, the performances are scheduled to run from 15 May to 17 May 2026. The show is being hosted across three different venues under the Laughing Horse banner: The Temple Bar, Caroline of Brunswick, and The Walrus (Hideaway). Since these are part of the Fringe programme, it is worth noting that the event is free to attend. Given the nature of the venues and the comedy format, it is the kind of show that generally attracts an adult or young adult audience, though it is always worth checking the specific venue policies if you are planning to head down. It is a straightforward setup: a game show that is designed to go wrong, playing out in some of the city's familiar pub performance spaces over those three days in May. These venues are well-known spots for comedy in Brighton, often providing a relaxed, informal setting that suits this type of DIY performance. It offers a specific type of comedy experience that fits well within the broader, eclectic programme that Brighton Fringe usually puts together each year, providing a chance to see something a bit different without the usual formalities of a theatre production.