‘Something for everyone’ at Brighton Dome this winter

In theatre, the “spectacular” (Dame Judi Dench) Eddie Izzard performs Shakespseare's Hamlet comes to the Brighton Dome stage. Tim Crouch’s legendary piece of experimental theatre An Oak Tree stars a different celebrity every night – none of whom have seen the script before. Previous stars include acclaimed actors David Tennant, Jessie Buckley and Sophie Okonedo. 

Sutara Gayle – AKA Reggae icon Lorna Gee’s Legends of Them (***** The Stage) is a breath-taking, roof-raising chronicle of her extraordinary life and the legends that have guided her, with electrifying original reggae and gospel-infused tracks.

And award-winning local theatre maker and “Fringe legend” (Time Out) Victoria Melody tells the uncovered story of the 17th-century radicals The Diggers in Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival commission Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak.

In music, Jazz Connections is a new slot at Brighton Dome Studio Theatre spotlighting the finest emerging talent in UK jazz: this season, it’s Nu-jazz extraordinaire and Jazz FM 2025 Instrumentalist of the Year Mark Kavuma, plus saxophonist, composer and the “name on everyone’s lips right now” (BBC Radio 3) Emma Rawicz with her dazzling new project INKYRA.

What’s in the Salsa is a night of Latin music, dance and storytelling with local Afro Latin singer and poet Adriana Lord, giving audiences an insight into the rich and diverse roots of salsa. Brighton Dome continues to develop its reputation as the place to hear unique voices and discover new artists.

In books and talks, audiences can see some of their favourite stars from a new angle. Arundhati Roy, the internationally acclaimed author and political essayist, discusses her life and work with writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch. Miriam Margolyes gives us her From A to Z of wit, wisdom, and unfiltered stories; Merlin Sheldrake delves into the hidden life of fungi; and Manic Street Preachers have an exclusive conversation with music journalist and recent biographer Keith Cameron. Brighton Dome’s popular, regular spoken word night STATUS FLO returns, featuring award-winning poet and author Salena Godden and, for a special edition for Black History Month, spoken word poet and former battle rapper BIG SCOOP.

The reopened Corn Exchange welcomes world-class dance to its stage with Gary Clarke’s DETENTION, a vivid piece of dance theatre exploring the impact of Section 28, the 1988 legislation from Thatcher’s Government that prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in schools. “Full of dynamism and urgency” (The Guardian), the show will feature a local community cast of LGBT+ people. Deciphers sees a beautiful and powerful collaboration between two acclaimed choreographers come to life: Naishi Wang and Jean Abreu combine Chinese and Brazilian dance elements to explore what is gained – and lost – in translation. And looking ahead to spring, MÁM will sweep audiences into a whirlwind of myth and magic with its hypnotic fusion of contemporary dance and wild Irish tradition, from acclaimed Irish choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan and his company Teaċ Daṁsa. Presented by Dance Consortium in partnership with Brighton Dome.

For families, The Colour of Dinosaurs is a science pop gig all about dinosaurs for ages 6 and up, with a dinosaur-themed Crafty Kids workshop for younger kids on the same day, plus other sessions throughout the season, including Halloween shadow puppets and Crafty Christmas. The theatre adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s popular book A Squash and a Squeeze comes to the Corn Exchange, as does a production of Michael Rosen’s beloved We’re Going on a Bear Hunt featuring entrancing puppetry. 

In comedy, the Brighton Dome Comedy Festival returns with more than 25 events across 9 days, from stand up and improv to clowning and podcasts, featuring Channel 4’s Rosie Jones, Brighton’s Jen Brister and Suzi Ruffell, Celebrity Gogglebox’s Babatunde Aléshé, plus comedy for all ages, including a brand new children’s show from Spencer Jones. Elsewhere, the autumn season features comedy legends Sara Pascoe, Stewart Lee, Ross Noble and more.

In classical music, BBC Radio 3’s popular radio show Friday Night is Music Night comes to Brighton Dome Concert Hall: audiences can join the BBC Concert Orchestra to celebrate the unique heritage and musical history of the venue and enjoy classical favourites. Sunday morning Coffee Concerts – free for ages 8-25, funded by Strings Attached – see the return of audience favourites including Fibonacci Quartet, plus young, up-and-coming talent the Dogoda Quintet, formed in 2023 at the Royal Academy of Music. London Philharmonic Orchestra and Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra return with exciting autumn seasons featuring a diverse repertoire, from Prokofiev to Stephen Sondheim, The Romantics to Britten’s Serenade.

This festive season, internationally renowned circus troupe FLIP Fabrique bring Blizzard to Brighton Dome Concert Hall, with gravity-defying fun celebrating the wonder and joy of winter. Animated classic The Snowman returns, accompanied by a live orchestra, there’s a Christmas Ceilidh coming to the Corn Exchange, and A Town Called Christmas is a charming festive adventure for ages 3 and up. 

Brighton’s Big Drag Pageant is back with this year’s theme, The Snow Ball; Musicals Mayhem with local icon and cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat will be an evening of drag, music and glamour; and Disabled + Disobedient offers a cosy Christmas celebration for disabled and neurodivergent artists, audiences and allies: a space to chat and connect, with pop-up cabaret performances, games and crafting. Plus Our Roots NYE with Gal Pals and Polyglamorous returns to the Corn Exchange for the ultimate queer party to bring in the New Year.

Comedy at Brighton Dome is supported by Mayo Wynne Baxter