Brighton festival season: reviews
Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit
A delightful show perfect for the Open Air Theatre. It was a beautifully sunny evening which made it even more special, and the blankets brought out halfway through to keep everyone cosy were a nice touch. The audience question session at the beginning set the whole production up brilliantly and immediately got everyone engaged. The improvisation was unbelievably clever, well thought out, and consistently hilarious – I was giggling the whole way through. The cast were incredibly quick-witted, and made the audience feel fully involved in the action. Shoutout to the detective who found the humour from even the driest details. I’d love to see it another ten times just to see where a different set of prompts takes the story.
Alice Ella: Chronically sick, Hormonal Slag
This one-woman cabaret show struck just the right balance of humour and insight, shining a light on the realities of living with ME. It was funny in all the right places, while maintaining a sincere and enlightening undertone throughout. Alice Ella has an incredible voice and an intrinsic commitment to making her audience smile. Combined with fabulous costumes (I wanted every single one of them!) and wonderfully catchy songs, it made for a hugely entertaining performance. I felt like I learned a lot about the impact of chronic illness while singing along to some of the most delightfully ridiculous numbers. Sweet, sincere, and silly all at once.
In the cosy Hideaway of The Walrus, Shaggers delivered exactly what a late-night Fringe comedy show should be; intimate, cheeky and consistently hilarious. Five comedians, each with their own Brighton Fringe shows, gave us a taste of their material while tackling all things sex, dating and relationships in short sets that had the room laughing from start to finish. The mix of straight and LGBTQ+ perspectives kept things fresh and inclusive and, as a queer comedy lover, I was delighted. We were still talking about it days later, always the sign of a great night out.
Ghibli Taste & Tales at Blossoms
As massive Studio Ghibli fans, we arrived at Blossoms for their immersive Howl’s Moving Castle dining experience with very high expectations and left completely charmed. Seated in a cosy velvet booth with a themed welcome cocktail and popcorn as the film began, we were guided through a thoughtful menu inspired by the film. Highlights included a charcuterie board served as Sophie packed for her journey and an inventive take on Calcifer’s bacon and eggs, elevated by an unexpected potato gratin. Finished with cherry chocolate cake and refreshing Japanese lemonade, it was a magical evening throughout. We’re already planning to return for Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro.
Beneath the nostalgic charm of the Tivoli Tent in the Spiegel Gardens, All Star Circus delivered a joyful and genuinely impressive family experience. Before the show had even begun, members of the cast were already meeting and greeting excited children, setting the tone for a warm and welcoming atmosphere. What followed was a mix of circus skills, comedy and incredible talent from a cast that was both funny and exceptionally skilled. Several acts featured tricks I’d never seen before, giving the whole show a fresh, modern energy while still capturing the magic of a classic circus.
