To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Brighton Dome has been providing outstanding live performances in…

This is an envelope dating from July 1915 addressed to the Kangra District in the state of Punjab, situated in Northern India. The ‘Pavilion & Dome’ stamp on the back confirms that the letter was sent from the Indian Military Hospital based at the Royal Pavilion Estate between 1914-1916. The Indian Army played…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.In the early part of the 20th century, the Brighton, Hove and Sussex…

Before the coronavirus pandemic, our Heritage Volunteers were involved in the process of cataloguing and preserving the Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival archives. The archives contain a wide range of ephemera, ranging from concert programmes, posters and tickets to press photographs, architectural plans of the venue…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.The Prince Regent was passionate about horses and took great pride…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.During the Second World War the Royal Pavilion Estate played its…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.The hydrangea was one of the plants selected by William Townsend…

In August 2019, 39 concert tickets dating from 1901-1903 came up for auction at Brighton and Hove General Auctions in Woodingdean. They were discovered, along with six Edwardian era ‘Snap’ cards, under the floorboards during a local house clearance. The tickets are for a variety of events at Brighton Dome and the Music…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Of the imported plants chosen by William Townsend Aiton, who was…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Early pictorial representations of the Royal Pavilion gardens show…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.George, Prince of Wales was first formally introduced to Maria Fitzherbert…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.During the 1780s George, Prince of Wales rented a small lodging…

In September 2020, we commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Art Deco refurbishment of Brighton Dome. Architect Robert Atkinson (1883-1952) transformed the Concert Hall into the venue we recognise today. He also re-purposed the Corn Exchange and designed the building that would eventually become the Studio Theatre. Art…

The Royal Pavilion Estate is renowned for its distinctive architectural style, drawing on a variety of oriental influences. This week, as we celebrate the theme of ‘hidden nature’ as part of Heritage Open Days 2020, we will be looking at how these Asian influences informed the design of the Pavilion gardens. In 1802,…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.It is difficult to imagine that the beautiful seaside retreat of…

This week as we celebrate ‘Hidden Nature’ in heritage as part of Heritage Open Days 2020, take a look at how nature has inspired Brighton residents in the past and the role that the Royal Pavilion Estate has played in bringing people together to enjoy nature, in these short films by British Pathé.This first film from…

To commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Art Deco refurbishment of Brighton Dome and the Corn Exchange, we’re revisiting the story of last year’s restoration of the statue of Ceres, the Roman Goddess of Agriculture, which stands above the entrance of the Corn Exchange on Church Street.Ceres was sculpted in 1935 by…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Did you know that world boxing champions have competed on numerous…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Go to any market town and you are likely to find a corn exchange,…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Queen Charlotte Sophia is a notable figure in the history of the…

To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2020 we are publishing a series of blogs researched and written by Brighton Dome's heritage volunteers. The blogs reveal the fascinating stories connecting Brighton Dome's history with the Royal Pavilion Estate and the city.Brighton Dome was built between 1803 and 1808 and stands 65 ft high…

Contractors working on the refurbishment of Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre have continued to progress with essential works to protect and conserve the historic Grade I and Grade II listed buildings. Since lockdown was implemented, Westridge Construction have been complying with government guidelines on…

Brighton Dome boasts a 217-year long history, learn more about the venue with our ten fascinating factsWhen it was first built in 1806, the Brighton Dome roof was constructed of thousands of panes of glass. At the time it was the second largest dome shaped building in the country, after St Paul’s Cathedral. The 174-metre-long…

Forget The Rock and Hulk Hogan, Brighton Dome has it’s own legendary wrestlers – Francis ‘the Cornish Wonder’ Gregory and John ‘Italian’ Devalto. We've enjoyed delving into our extensive archives and stumbled across quite a surprise – in addition to our past lives as a stable, military hospital and postal…

Brighton Dome was an important centre of activity for Brighton members of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the early twentieth century, with suffragette leaders Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, Emmeline Pethick Lawrence and Lady Emily Lutyens at the forefront of the WSPU. In 2018, Brighton Dome was officially…

Louise Peskett joins us on Fri 7 Feb for a lunchtime talk delving into the history of women entertainers who have appeared in some of Brighton’s much-loved venues, including our very own Concert Hall. We speak to Louise to find out more about the notorious women of Brighton and what to expect from her talk. Hi…

Were you mesmerised by Pink Floyd’s first performance of Dark Side of the Moon? Did you sneak into David Bowie’s infamous 1973 Ziggy Stardust gig as a teenager? Have you got a special memory of taking part in Brighton Festival Children’s Parade? Or did you ever perform on the Brighton Dome stage?Brighton Dome &…

As we continue our exciting journey to restore and reunite the Royal Pavilion Estate buildings and gardens, we have been celebrating our rich history and heritage through a series of heritage events at Brighton Dome. Here is a look-back at events celebrating our history and future:Heritage Organ TourWe opened our…

Three new magnificent paper chandeliers are hanging in Brighton Dome’s foyer this Christmas. Made by pupils from local primary schools together with Brighton based arts charity Same Sky, we invited hundreds of children to take part in a craft project inspired by Brighton Dome’s unique history. Brighton Dome hasn’t…

Brighton & Hove City Council and The Royal Pavilion & Museums have been awarded initial support and development funding of £214,400 by The National Heritage Lottery Fund in order to progress plans to improve and enhance the historic Royal Pavilion Garden. Improving and protecting the Royal…

While we’ve been transforming Brighton Dome for the future, we have recruited Historical Research Volunteers to dig into our past and uncover stories from our 216-year long history. Heritage volunteer, George Meredith uncovers one of many fascinating stories...During World War I, Brighton Dome operated as a hospital for…

Architectural photographer Carlotta Luke has been documenting the transformation and restoration of Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre and its heritage features. Based in East Sussex, Carlotta is originally from New England, USA, and specialises in architectural documentary photography. Her work…

Gather round! This Halloween, we thought we’d share with you some eerie tales from our storied past, of ghosts and ghouls, mysterious moments and paranormal sightings on the Royal Pavilion Estate. Our venues have seen a lot in their 200 years of history; as the Prince Regents stables, host to a military hospital during…

October is Black History Month in the UK, giving us an opportunity to pay tribute to just some of the amazing performers who have taken to the Brighton Dome stage in the past as well as to look forward to those coming soon!Highlights from Brighton Dome’s history: Early jazz pioneers, the Southern Syncopated Orchestra,…

Fela Kuti was a legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, composer, musician and political activist. His parents sent him to London in 1958 hoping that he would study medicine and become a doctor. Instead, Kuti decided to study music and composition at Trinity College London. In an interview in Songlines, his son Femi recalls…

As the city gears up for Brighton & Hove Pride 2019 we took a look at some of the many LGBTQI+ artists that have graced our stages during our 152 year-history as a performance venue.Douglas Byng’s last ever performance, Brighton Dome Pavilion Theatre, 1986Douglas Coy Byng (1893 to 1987) was a cabaret megastar. Aged…

Brighton Dome is proud to support Fly the Flag, a UK-wide arts initiative marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 24 to 30 June. Artist and activist Ai Weiwei has created a special flag, commissioned to educate future generations about the importance of human rights.…

Architectural documentary photographer Carlotta Luke shares with us her favourite photos from her work documenting the grand transformation of our Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre as well as the new Gallery and Creative Space.Jun 2017My first site visit to the Corn Exchange was also the first time I had been…

An Art Deco statue depicting the Roman Goddess of Agriculture is being restored as part of our building refurbishment. Standing above the entrance to the Corn Exchange on Church Street, Ceres was sculpted in 1935 by renowned artist James Woodford OBE RA (1893-1976).The statue was crafted by Woodford in a distinct ornamental…

Take a look at the latest progress on-site, as heritage feature continue to be restored, new spaces and state-of-the-art facilities are being built. The new Gallery space is really starting to come together, with flooring being placed on the lower floor and on parts of the upper floor. These two spaces will become…

As part of the major redevelopment works to our Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, and the brand-new spaces, improvements are being made to ensure all areas are more accessible for everyone.This includes new and accessible toilets, new hearing assistance systems, and a new public lift inside the Ticket Office, providing…

While we’ve been transforming Brighton Dome for the future, we have recruited Historical Research Volunteers to dig into our past, and uncover some of the fascinating stories from our 200-year history. This month, the volunteers have been focusing on the pioneering black artists who have graced our stage. Here's…

The Royal Pavilion Estate's wartime history played an important role in the recovery of wounded soldiers. Find out more about the care soldiers received from the Pavilion Military Hospital and 'Dr Brighton' The Pavilion HospitalBetween 1 Dec 1914 and 28 Aug 1920, over 10,000 wounded soldiers were nursed back to health…

A couple who met at Brighton Dome have returned to the venue to launch a public competition to name a seat in the refurbished Corn Exchange or Studio Theatre.Matt and Marianne Barton from Hove contacted us as part of a memory collecting project, which asked the public to share their special stories of Brighton…

The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert on Sun 14 Oct includes Sir Hubert Parry’s symphonic poem for orchestra From Death to Life which was a Brighton Festival commission in 1914, see the event page.In 1914, 104 years ago, concert goers would have gathered in the Brighton Dome Concert Hall to see the premiere…

We are celebrating our rich heritage of artists by naming seats in the refurbished Corn Exchange when it reopens next year.Our first is dedicated to Paul Robeson, bass baritone singer, film actor and political activist.He performed at the grand opening in 1936 following a former transformation of Brighton Dome by architect…

Visitors will be given a unique opportunity to peek into Brighton Dome’s ambitious redevelopment works as part of Heritage Open Day this Saturday (15 Sep, 10am - 4.30pm).The Corn Exchange doors on Brighton Dome’s West Corridor will be opened for the first time since works began, to give visitors a taste of the extensive…

We have some exciting events this autumn that look back and celebrate over 200 years of our history, from tours and talks to activities and concerts, there is something for everyone!Ninety-Four Years of Brighton’s Own OrchestraFri 14 Sep, 1pmTake a look back through ninety-four years of Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra in…

Our brand new spaces are really starting to come together. Glass for the skylight is now installed, so you can begin to picture the new Gallery Bar, looking in to the venue through grand Corn Exchange windows, and the Creative Space above which will provide bright, natural light."I was impressed with how…

The 200 to 300-year-old remains of 18 individuals, discovered during redevelopment work at our Corn Exchange on the city’s Royal Pavilion Estate last year, have been laid to rest at the Memorial Cemetery, Woodingdean. The remains, which were found underneath the area formerly used as the venue’s mini conference room,…

100 years on from the first women in the country being granted the right to vote, Brighton Dome has been officially recognised as one of 41 buildings across England that were at the centre of suffragette action. The sites, which include Westminster Abbey, Epsom Racecourse, and Manchester’s Free Trade Hall, have been…

Our Studio Theatre is really making progress, with the steel frames now installed to form the new balcony seating. Heritage features of the Corn Exchange can now be seen, with the paint completely stripped off the arched roof. On the north side of the space, the balcony structure is complete, with the steel in place…

Imagine, or re-live, the moment David Bowie performed Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane at Brighton Dome, on this day in 1973, with help from Melita Dennett's wonderfully detailed recollection of the show (even down to the nail varnish she wore)“And then came the news I'd been awaiting: Bowie was playing in Brighton.…

As part of the major refurbishment of the Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre we will be installing brand new seating, including fixed balcony levels in both venues. The work will not only increase the number of seats (up to 500 in the Corn Exchange and 200 in Studio Theatre), it will improve the sound-proofing,…

WW1 letters and a 200-year-old Quaker burial ground were among last year’s exciting discoveries during our redevelopment work at the Studio Theatre and Corn Exchange. We caught up with the team at Archaeology South East to find out more about what they have learned from their post-excavation assessments:Uncovering a…

Over 40 years after playing host to Abba’s famous Eurovision victory, our historic concert hall is to stage BBC2’s Eurovision: You Decide 2018, co-hosted by Måns Zelmerlöw and Mel Giedroyc Eurovision: You Decide, the national song selection show for the UK entry, will take place on Wed 7 Feb 2018, live from Brighton…

Throughout its history, Brighton Dome has played host to some of the world’s finest black and Asian artists, across artforms, from Jimi Hendrix in 1967 to Anoushka Shankar in 2003.Among the legends who have graced the stage at Brighton Dome are early jazz pioneers, the Southern Syncopated Orchestra, which played at Brighton…

We had a wonderful time hosting the celebration of African Caribbean arts and culture at the Black History Month Family Day.Thank you to everyone who came along to enjoy this special event and to those who contributed their time and energy. We remember some of our favourite moments with this photo gallery...Maracatu opened…

Two more burials, believed to be 200-300 years old, have been uncovered at the historic Quaker’s Croft site which was discovered earlier this month during redevelopment work at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on the city’s Royal Pavilion Estate.This recent discovery - thought to be the final remaining burials on-site –…

New images - which have just been released - give a unique insight into excavations at the historic Quaker burial site which was discovered during redevelopment work at Brighton Dome Corn ExchangeA total of 15 complete skeletons have been exhumed and removed from underneath the area that was formerly the venue’s mini…

The historic site has been discovered during redevelopment work at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.Skeletons have been uncovered on-site and are in the process of being exhumed respectfully and sensitively from underneath the area that was formerly the venue’s mini conference room. The remains are thought to be from 'Quakers…

A Blue Plaque unveiled at Brighton Dome honouring music legends Abba is one of 47 announced on Wednesday 14 June by BBC Local Radio, BBC Asian Network and The British Plaque Trust, commemorating people or places that have influenced the musical landscape across the country.BBC Sussex’s Blue Plaque, on Brighton Dome,…

The historic Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, itself once a popular skating rink back in the 1870s, is to be the unique setting for a one of the fastest growing sports in the world, Roller Derby (Sat 10 Dec, 4.45pm). Played on roller skates it's a high impact, high scoring, full contact sport.Brighton's home team - the Brighton…

Do you have any memories of Brighton Dome Corn Exchange or Studio Theatre (formerly Pavilion Theatre)? As we prepare for their refurbishment we’d love you to share your stories with us and contribute to the history of our iconic venues.Alongside a major refurbishment of the nationally-important Corn Exchange…

Ahead of her talk at this year’s Heritage Open Day, Alexandra Loske, Curator at the Royal Pavilion, gives an insight into some of the lesser known facts about this gem in the heart of the cityLast year I became the Curator of the Royal Pavilion Archives and have been spending much time looking at materials relating…

Brighton Dome will be celebrating the rich heritage of our Grade I and II listed buildings as we open our doors for our fourth annual Heritage Open Day of free family entertainment on Sunday 11 September, 10am to 5pm.Events and entertainment include behind-the-scenes tours of Brighton Dome, which give visitors…

A brief history of Brighton Dome Concert Hall Next time you're visiting Brighton’s famous 'Dome' (now our Concert Hall) to see a show try to arrive early. Take your seat in the stalls, relax and take a moment to imagine these surroundings as the home of Prince George's horses. That's right, not much longer than 200 years…

Brighton & Hove City Council, The Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove and Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival are delighted to announce that their joint vision to revitalise the Royal Pavilion Estate has been awarded nearly £5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).The money will help to pay…

Crumbs it's already Christmas! We hope you all have lots of excellent plans and heaps of fun, but if you fancy a little break from all the traditional yuletide activities and want to see some high-flying daredevilry, bewitching dance or a spot of satirical comedy, then we’ve got plenty of events for you to enjoy over…

311-year-old instrument is played at Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra concert. A cello once owned and played by the Prince Regent, later King George IV, is to feature in Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra’s November concert at Brighton Dome. The instrument, made in Naples in 1704 by Alessandro Gagliano, was allegedly…

Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival have been awarded $80,000 from the prestigious American Express foundation to restore some of Brighton Dome’s heritage features.The grant will enable a variety of improvements including renovations of the Dome’s decorative pinnacles, distinctive mosaic flooring and upgrades to…

Brighton Dome's colourful history and heritage...Our venues have seen a lot. What building completed in 1808 hasn’t? Here's a little kiss and tell piece about a few of the things we’ve seen and heard.Some believe that we are situated on the site of a Saxon cemetery, which could explain some of the alleged paranormal…

Brighton & Hove City Council and Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival are delighted to announce that their joint vision to revitalise the Royal Pavilion Estate has received a significant funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).The Heritage Lottery Fund has earmarked a sum of £5m to the project - subject…

We are delighted to announce that the first phase in the vision to revitalise the Royal Pavilion Estate has received another significant funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).HLF has earmarked £5m towards the project - subject to plans being successfully developed at the next stage – for which they are…

This weekend Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra join us for Sublime Shostakovich. In homage to a lineage of influential Russian composers - who have shaped the form of classical music as we know it - they'll present a stunning evening of music performing Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No.2 alongside works from Tchaikovsky…

We are delighted to announce that Arts Council England has pledged £5.8m towards a major revitalisation of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival’s heritage venues following a successful bid by the joint custodians of the Royal Pavilion Estate – Brighton & Hove City Council and Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival.The…

Forget the Rock and Hulk Hogan, Brighton Dome has it’s own legendary wrestlers – Francis ‘the Cornish Wonder’ Gregory and John ‘Italian’ Devalto. With the next in the series of Brighton Dome Discovery Tours on the horizon we've  taken the opportunity to delve into our extensive archives and stumbled…

Love football? Hate football? Either way - we've kicked about a few ideas of events for you to enjoy over the coming World Cup weeks here at Brighton Dome.Brighton Dome Discovery TourSun 22 Jun & Sun 20 JulCome explore Brighton Dome's rich heritage on our special behind-the-scenes guided tours. Discover more about…

Barry and Gay Fearn, patrons and long standing supporters of Brighton Dome and Festival, recently made a gift to refurbish the beautiful bells and trumpets that surround the angels on the organ screen in the Brighton Dome Concert Hall. Gay made this gift as a surprise to Barry to mark his 80th birthday. She wanted to do…

The city of Brighton and Hove can lay claim to a vast number of truly exceptional cornerstones in the history of popular music. Pink Floyd debuted Dark Side of the Moon here, Fat Boy Slim’s Big Beach Boutique was a date saved in everyone’s diary, and we were even the setting for one of The Who’s - and arguably Stings’…

Don’t miss this chance to perform on the world-famous Brighton Dome stage and be part of a video installationOn 6th April 1974 ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest at Brighton Dome with their performance of Waterloo. To celebrate 40 years since their victory on Thu 27 Mar we are offering the rare opportunity to perform…

One of the key tenets of the project being led by Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and the Royal Pavilion & Museum - is that in addition to the financial benefits accruing to the two partner organisations there will be economic impact on the city of Brighton & Hove itself. The project will have a major impact…

The Royal Pavilion Estate is the heart of Brighton & Hove’s city centre, recognised by its iconic domes and its designated Cultural Quarter status.The two custodians of the estate - Brighton & Hove City Council’s Royal Pavilion and Museums and Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival - are working together in a…

You may have seen the exciting news about the glass roof being installed in the new Gallery space, so take a look back at some of the other exciting milestones of the building works so far.Feb 2017Work began to strip the Corn Exchange interiors of all carpets, curtains and wall panels, with some of the original…