We have a jam-packed programme of critically-acclaimed dance, award-winning comedy and more from incredible LGBTQ+ artists this autumn, as well as fun festive shows from Brighton’s favourite drag performers and choirs in December. Read on to find out what’s in store…
Award-winning cabaret artist and vocalist Fatt Butcher turns hymn music on its head in Congregational (30 Oct): a rousing celebration of queer community. Part concert, part-communion, Fatt Butcher blends house and trance with gospel and classical in this newly-composed choral service paying tribute to the queer nightclub, performed by a live choir of LGBTQ+ vocalists with DJ and piano accompaniment.
Somewhere between a variety show and a biology lecture, Natural Behaviour (13 Oct) by acclaimed performance company Thick & Tight is a queer dance piece inspired by the natural world. With a distinctive mix of dance, theatre, mime and poetry and imaginative, unconventional choreography featuring a pantomime horse, the dust in Quentin Crisp’s room, a blade of grass and a lesbian seagull, the show embraces diversity across genres and species, asking what it means to be natural or unnatural.
Brighton Dome Comedy Festival, this year in partnership with Komedia for the first time, hosts acclaimed LGBTQ+ comics this autumn (16–25 October). Comedian and filmmaker Simon Amstell’s new show I Love It Here explores first loves, queer awakenings, rebirth and surrender.Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated Catherine Bohart looks at the funny side of mental health, lesbian break ups and family dynamics in Borrowing Trouble. And BBC New Comedy Award winner Dan Tiernan talks about coming out as gay (and a crystal enthusiast) in Quartz and All.
Later in the year, Saturday Night Live UK star Larry Dean talks queer marriage and refusing to grow up in Hellbent (13 Dec) and internationally acclaimed Australian comedian Josh Thomas embraces the silly side of life in Jiggle Jiggle (6 Dec).
Brighton’s Big Drag Pageant returns for their annual winter spectacular, featuring a cast of all-star contestants. Hosted by Brighton-based drag artist Alfie Ordinary, expect jaw dropping performances and killer runways from the best of Brighton’s unique and outrageous alternative drag performers. Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus are back with their new Christmas concert, A Merry Murder Mystery, a camp musical whodunnit. And Brighton’s own rapping pensioner Ida Barr returns with ORGANOKE, an evening of organ-accompanied Christmas karaoke and festive antics.
Comedy at Brighton Dome is sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter.
