Cutting-edge theatre and acclaimed performance
Coming to the Corn Exchange for five nights in November, Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is an epic story of a beautiful but unlikely friendship between an enslaved woman and her former master.
East Sussex-based choreographer Ben Duke’s Lost Dog company performs Juliet & Romeo (12–14 Nov), a humorous and heartfelt dance duet that reveals the real story of Shakespeare’s most famous couple and documentary theatre-dance hybrid performance Woodhill uses gut-punching choreography and music to tell the true story of the deaths of three men at HMP Woodhill and their families’ fight for answers (9–10 Oct).
The familiar becomes unexpected as award-winning cabaret artist Fatt Butcher queers choral music in nightclub celebration Congregational (30 Oct) and acclaimed dance duo Thick & Tight present variety show-cum-biology lecture Natural Behaviour: an exploration of what it means to be natural or unnatural through a queer lens (13 Oct).
In the Studio Theatre:brand-new shows include CRUSH, which follows the meet-cute of two Somali teenagers in an eating disorder clinic (29–30 Sep); Man or Bear, a darkly comic play about fear and friendship inspired by a viral meme (7 Oct); and Fire Fire, a play about climate change, taking big risks and discovering shared purpose (12 Oct).
Later in the season, acclaimed one man show Nation presents a fable about national identity and the political power of stories (2–4 Nov), while award-winning performance artist Louise Orwin embarks on helter-skelter nosedive through the TikTok universe in FAMEHUNGRY (27–28 Nov).
Feel-good laughs from your favourite comedians
From 16–25 October, Brighton Dome Comedy Festival returns, and this year we’re partnering with Komedia to bring even more laughs!
Elsewhere: Phil Wang, Russell Howard, Lucy Beaumont and Greg Davies perform in the Concert Hall (27 Nov, 28–29 Nov, 3 Dec, 8–9 Dec); Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler records a live version of his podcast, featuring a special guest (5 Nov); and Saturday Night Live UK stars Paddy Young and Larry Dean bring stand up to the Corn Exchange (12 and 13 Dec).
Unmissable live music from around the world
In the Concert Hall: rapper and record producer Earl Sweatshirt teams up with premier NYC underground hip hop artist MIKE on 3 Sep and English rock band Embrace perform as part of their 30th anniversary tour on17 Nov. On 2 October, the electrifying Les Amazones d’Afrique reverberate the Corn Exchange with their blend of traditional West African music and fresh electronic sounds.
Sublime classical music
Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra open a new event season at Brighton Dome on 27 September with Rhapsody on the Theme of Paganini. The season continues with a Stravinsky and Mozart piano concerto pairing; a jazz and strings fusion riot drawing on baroque, contemporary and rock pieces; and a sweeping journey through music inspired by the arctic.
London Philharmonic Orchestra present a series of concerts including Dvořák’s Cello Concerto played by cellist Kian Soltani (3 Oct) and a celebration of 20th century American classical music headed by violinist Elena Urioste (7 Nov). Our Sunday morning Coffee Concertsreturn from 20 September, featuring performances from new and emerging musicians, with free tickets for ages 8–25.
Step into Brighton’s unique history
On 20 September, come and explore Brighton Dome’s history through the lives of those who have worked here at our free Heritage Open Day. On the same day, Ashley Valentine plays music from 1920s films on the famous Brighton Dome organ.
In October, we mark Black History Month with a creative writing workshop that explores Brighton’s history as a home for Black creativity (13 Oct) and a talk about jazz pioneers the Southern Syncopated Orchestra who visited Brighton Dome in 1921.
World-class talkers and thinkers
Our Words & Debate programme includes celebrated technology critic Cory Doctorow (8 Sep),writer Marina Hyde (26 Sep),physicist and science communicator Jim Al-Khalili (1 Nov) and wordsmith Susie Dent (6 Dec). Our spoken word night Status Flo also returns, hosted by our former in-house artist AFLO. the poet.
Fun for all the family
Beloved CBeebies show In the Night Garden Live comes to life on stage on 12 Sept,with a very special visit from a flying Pinky Ponk.
Across October half term, music- and belly-laugh packed Your Toys by Lewes-based company Slot Machine Theatre uses extraordinary puppetry skills to create a cast of characters from toys belonging to children in the audience. At Brighton Dome Comedy Festival, comic duo Shelf are back with child-friendly music and sketches in The Kids Show 2and for older children, swear-free standup showcase Live at Brighton Dome BLEEPED returns to the Corn Exchange on 24 October. There are also free comedy workshops for young people aged 11–16, offering coaching from comedy professionals and the chance to perform onstage.
Later in the year, Family Day Take Part honours the city’s diaspora communities through workshops, performances and global cuisine for all ages (7 Nov) and theatre show Rabbit & Rey and the Lost Things mixes puppetry, visual storytelling and beautiful twists of the imagination to follow a funny and touching quest (22 Nov).
Throughout autumn, our popular Crafty Kids workshops offer opportunities for children aged 3–11 and their grown-ups to get creative together, with all materials provided and all mess tidied up!
Immersive and heartwarming festivities
December is packed with events to enjoy with friends, family and colleagues. Duck Pond isa spectacular circus reimagining of Swan Lake from acclaimed Australian company Circa (23–28 Dec) and Ceilidh the Musical is a brand-new interactive musical celebrating one of Scotland’s oldest and most-beloved traditions (15–20 Dec). For young families, The Adventures of the Little Red Heni s an energetic adaptation of the much-loved fable (21–24 Dec).
And don’t miss concerts and singalongs from Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus (12 Dec), Brighton Festival Chorus with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (13 Dec) and Choir with No Name (15 Dec), organ-accompanied karaoke with Brighton’s own Ida Barr in ORGANOKE (18 Dec) and the return of Brighton’s Big Drag Pageant (10 Dec).
We are thrilled to share our autumn events programme for Brighton Dome’s three beautiful stages. We welcome some absolutely brilliant artists and performers this season, with local superstars appearing alongside international talents. Whatever your taste, we hope there is something for you to find light in as the nights draw in.”— Lucy Davies, Director and CEO of Brighton Dome
Comedy at Brighton Dome is sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter.