Thank You for Keeping the Show on the Road
As 2021 comes to a close, we reflect on some of the happy moments we experienced and were able to share with our audiences. Thanks to everyone for helping us keep the show on the road by cooperating with our safety measures.
We are eternally grateful for the support from our loyal audiences, members, funders, donors, and staff. We hope you have a safe and happy festive season and look forward to seeing you again in 2022.
#HereForCulture
January
To keep our audiences entertained at home during lockdown, we partnered with Fane Online to present a series of livestream talks featuring celebrated authors and TV personalities.
February
Despite complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the refurbishment of Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre continued with major architectural work being completed, including replacing 16,000 Welsh slate tiles on the Corn Exchange roof.
Together with Future Creators we joined the Kickstart Employment Scheme as a gateway organisation for the creative and cultural sector in the South East region.
We proudly partnered on the ABCD for Cultural Recovery which aims to support Brighton & Hove’s arts and creative sector affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
March
We joined forces with Brighton Women’s Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day at home with a series of free online events.
Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra performed live from our Concert Hall for a livestreamed event.
April
We received vital support from the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund to ensure we could bring events back to audiences, online, outdoors and safely back on stage with Brighton Festival in May.
May
Brighton Festival returned with arts outdoors, online, and safely back on stage in our Concert Hall, with Guest Director Lemn Sissay MBE.
The venue participated in the 5G Festival Alpha Trials with Digital Catapult, industry partners and artists to test out the latest 5G technology.
June
We continued entertaining our audiences at home with livestreams from Africa in the Lounge.
July
Akila Richards, Tanushka Marah, Emma Frankland, and Victoria Fox Markiewicz were selected as our first In-House Artists - a new support scheme for local artists to help develop their creative work.
Brighton Festival announced its guest directors will be a joint collaboration between Syrian architect Marwa al-Sabouni and Brighton theatre artist Tristan Sharps.
September
Following the lifting of restrictions, we welcomed artists and audiences safely back in our venue at full capacity, kicking off with Passenger’s hometown gig.
Image: Ailish Earnshaw
Heritage Open Day returned and for this year’s theme of Edible England we celebrated the rich history of Brighton Dome through a series of in-person and online events exploring our culinary links to the past.
October
Nick Cave performed a sold-out show with Warren Ellis to celebrate their acclaimed album CARNAGE.
Refurbishment work continues in the Corn Exchange to reveal the original wooden beams, restored to the designs created by architect William Porden over 200 years ago.
Brighton Dome employee Graham Cameron exhibited a series of illustrations reflecting on his experience of lockdown and the impact of Covid-19.
November
Easy Life perform their debut album Life’s a Beach
Brighton & Hove Black History’s family day returned after a two-year hiatus.
December
Little Simz received a rapturous reception on her sell-out tour.
Normanton Street produced a song with Varndean School, inspired by the people of East Sussex, featuring local artists Bobbie Johnson and AFLO the poet.
To wrap up the year, Circolombia bring their circus-concert Acelere, with a special curtain raiser performance by young people from The Circus Project.
