Brighton's Strange Cages are one of the country's most vivid live acts, a band that have made strides in their short existence gaining support from the likes of Clash, Fred Perry and Q Magazine. We caught up with Drummer Ellis ahead of their performance at the Spectrum all day Festival this weekend. When did…

Breathe Panel have crafted a unique sound based around the intuitive songwriting partnership of Josh Tyler and Nick Green.Recalling thoughtful days spent outdoors, Nick's vocals wash across bright, shimmering guitars and intricate drum patterns to create something beautifully expansive yet highly introspective. They're…

Porridge Radio were not only selected by The Guardian as favourites to watch in 2018, but were named 'the greatest band in the world' by Everett True on the strength of half a song. Band leader and singer/songwriter Dana Margolin tells us more about this unique 5-piece. When did you start writing music?When I…

Find out more about One Eyed Jacks, seven musicians creating soulful melodies with punchy rhythms and funky harmonies.In our newest SPECTRUM interview series, we talk to the one of the hottest live bands in Brighton today. When did you start writing music?We started writing together not long after meeting at…

Taking their cues from an expansive array of sources, Dark Horses blend psychedelia, rock and electronica with moving image, monochrome lighting and photography.We had a chat with the band ahead of their performance at SPECTRUM's upcoming day festival. When did you start writing music?We started writing together in…

Careening out of Brighton at a ferocious pace, DITZ combine feedback oddness with hardcore inspired riffs.  When did you start writing music?Cal, Caleb and Jack started writing music in their teenage years, although we starting writing collectively as a band in rehearsal roomsHow did you meet?We all met at university…

Normanton Street have quickly amassed a loyal following of fans around the world. In anticipation of SPECTRUM's upcoming day festival, we had a chat with the group about their unique fusion of soul, hip-hop and spoken word.When did you start writing music?It was around five years ago when we first met up with Phoebe…

Babii (ex Us Baby Bear Bones) is one girl, using every limb available to make ethereal yet tough electronic music. Despite the serious tone of the lyrics, Babii still has an essence of playfulness when it comes to the sounds and textures that decorate her songs.When did you start writing music?When I was a smaller…

We caught up with George, lead singer of Murmur, one of the unique acts featuring in the upcoming SPECTRUM day festival. The four piece's massive sound is all about rumbling, fuzzy bass lines, guitar filled choruses and socially conscious lyrics.When did you start writing music?Ben and I have been writing all…

In anticipation of SPECTRUM's upcoming day festival, we sat down with Chloe Bodur, a 19-year-old singer/songwriter who fuses elements of neo-soul, jazz and pop to create an utterly distinctive style. When did you start writing music?My Mum claims that I was already making up my own songs in the bath when I was a toddler.…

In anticipation of this month's upcoming edition of SPECTRUM, Brighton Dome sits down with HUSH, one of the unique acts featuring in the February Showcase:When did you start writing music?Thomas (Guitarist and Songwriter): I started writing for this project in 2015 but it wasn't until last October that I started writing…

In anticipation of this months upcoming edition of SPECTRUM, Brighton Dome sits down with Lebeaux, one of the unique acts featuring in the February Showcase.When did you start writing music? For as long as I can remember! The earliest memory I have is with me and my Monsters Inc. notepad. I used to write tune after…

In anticipation of this months upcoming edition of SPECTRUM, Brighton Dome sits down with Isle of CC, one of the unique acts featuring in the February Showcase:When did you start writing music?I did a little when I was in secondary school, but never showed anyone because I was embarrassed. I starting writing again when…

Brighton Dome sat down with Oliver Dimsdale, star of BBC’s He Knew He Was Right, who will be performing in Dear Esther Live on 2 Feb as The Narrator. How did you get involved in Dear Esther Live?I played one of the main characters in [The Chinese Room’s] Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture, so I auditioned for Dear…

Journalist Jessica Rings reflects on Selina Thompson’s challenging and provocative exhibition.Selina Thompson’s Race Cards makes even the most open minded of us feel ignorant as she takes us on an important journey through identity politics with her 1000 questions about race.The exhibition is 'a good old…

Hear the uplifting stories of two people helped by the Choir With No Name, who are bringing The Big Christmas Singalong! to Brighton Dome on Fri 15 Dec. Following a barnstorming performance from their London choirs at Brighton Dome last Christmas, The Choir with No Name - an organisation running choirs…

Journalist Jessica Rings speaks to the artist behind Race Cards, the immersive installation about identity politics, and what to expect from her show which explores the notion of 'playing the race card'.Could you explain where the idea for Race Cards came from?The idea of race cards came from the commonly used phrase:…

We spoke to Christina Gelsone about the flying sculptures, bespoke "in the round" staging & world class silent comedy of her Christmas show: Air PlayWhere did the idea and inspiration for Air Play come from?In 2010, we saw Daniel Wurtzel’s air sculptures in a video, and we were entranced. Our job, as modern…

Spend five minutes with 'savage comic' Margaret Cho and discover more about what you can expect from her latest show Fresh Off the Bloat.If someone hasn’t seen you perform before, what should they expect?I am a savage comic with a lot of experience having spent nearly 35 years on the job!You’ve described Fresh…

After taking over the streets for Brighton Festival, the Storytelling Army are back under one roof on 6th December with more epic stories from the people of the city. Stef O’Driscoll, Artistic Director of nabokov Theatre Company, who worked with the Festival and local partners Cascade Recovery Cafe, The Clocktower…

Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and Brighton & Hove Music & Arts (BHMA) have united to create a city-wide hub for creative and cultural learning. Brighton & Hove Music & Arts provides music and arts education and performance opportunities for all children and young people across the city,…

We spoke to Vanessa Kisuule ahead of her show Sexy, a funny, fretful and fearless dive into the seriousness and silliness of sexiness through comedy, spoken word, dance and various states of undress.Where did the idea and inspiration come from?In all honesty, I have been obsessed with this topic my whole life and…

Jazz electronica trio GoGo Penguin have re-scored Godfrey Reggio’s cult film Koyaanisqatsi. Pianist Chris Illingworth tells us about the creative process, and following (or not) in Philip Glass’ footsteps.How did it come about that you chose to re-score Koyaanisqatsi?There's a great arts venue in Manchester…

Iconic Brighton record label Tru Thoughts turned eighteen in 2017 and we are celebrating with a big birthday party, featuring two stages of funk, soul, tropical and electronic music. Co-owner and founder Rob Luis tells us more about the label, past, present and future.What can audiences expect from the October 18th…

Comedian and star of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here Joel Dommett, talks about touring, his stint in the jungle, and other extreme physical challenges, ahead of his show at Brighton Dome.Joel Dommett is mid-way through his huge national tour. Is he knackered? Not really. ‘Essentially, I’m doing two hours work…

Our Brighton Digital Festival special edition of SPECTRUM is curated by Lara Rix-Martin the founder of Objects Limited, a record label in its second year, that only releases music by those who identify as female or non-binary. Here she tells us more about the label.I started Objects Limited with the aim to give…

Tap Factory is an international hit show featuring urban tap dance, percussion, comedy and acrobatics Tap Factory was created by choreographer and Artistic Director Vincent Pausanias, who wanted to create a show that would showcase the magic of rhythm at its highest possible technical level. Performed by some…

The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company founded by Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar and her husband Kalamandalam Vijayakumar has been bringing the ancient South Indian dance drama Kathakali to UK audiences for 30 years. Ahead of their Brighton shows, Barbara describes her colourful journey to India and to Kathakali,…

Creative coach, yoga and meditation teacher, DJ, writer, and spacemaking event maker Dionne, will lead a free early morning yoga session in the Royal Pavilion Gardens set to live Indian classical music for the first of our two Rise and Shine events. Here Dionne shares her own morning yoga routine.People often…

Russell Howard tells Mark Wareham what it means to become the first UK comic to play China, to break Frank Sinatra’s and Manilow's record for consecutive nights at the Albert Hall. In his most political show yet, he explains how one comic intends to pull us all back together in the wake of Trump and Brexit.Where…

Following the exciting discovery of a 200-year-old Quaker Burial site during the Corn Exchange redevelopment, we spoke to some of the team from Archaeology South East who are carrying out the excavations, Darryl Palmer (Assistant Director, Head of Fieldwork & Survey), Garrett Sheehan, and Dr Paola Ponce.Can…

Simon Magnus, artistic director of arts charity Root Experience gives us an insight into Hidden Project, which explores people’s experiences of living with a hidden condition, ahead of The Hubbub an interactive art installation showcasing the project and Hidden Project Conversation Day.What inspired Hidden…

American comedian Gabriel Iglesiasbrings his storytelling talents to bear on British audiences with the Fluffymania World Tour. He tells Brian Donaldson what we can expect.The numbers which revolve around hugely successful comedian Gabriel Iglesias are nothing short of mind-boggling: his social media presence can…

Conductor and artistic director of the United Nations Orchestra Antoine Marguier spoke to The Argus reporter Josh Walton about their forthcoming concert.Musicians from over 20 countries will take a break from international diplomacy to play together as an orchestra in the UK for the first time.Employees working…

Ben Duke, director of KIN, the new show from the UK's hottest circus company Barely Methodical Troupe, gives us a taste of what to expect.Can you tell us what your show is about?I could if you forced me but words don’t really capture it that accurately. If I had to describe the show in a sentence or be subjected to a…

By Diane ParkesChoreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, one of three choreographers for Danza Contemporánea de Cuba, tells us about her career and passion for dance.Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has worked with top dance companies across the globe – and yet she says there is something special about Danza Contemporánea de Cuba.Which…

Ambreen Razia tells all about The Diary of a Hounslow Girl, coming to Brighton at the end of March, and the inspiration behind the show.What exactly is a ‘Hounslow Girl’?Apparently just like a Chelsea Girl and an Essex Girl, we also have a Hounslow Girl, which is the name for the stereotype of young British Muslim…

Children’s TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson gives us her best tips, advice and stories about her encounters with various animals before she brings her Naomi's Wild & Scary tour to Brighton this April.What are the best things about working in children’s TV?I love that no two days are the same. I get to travel…

Acclaimed stand-up Stewart Lee talks about Brexit, the BBC, and why he is still going strong after 28 years on the comedy circuit.How are you Stewart?I’m ok, but I got bitten by a spider during the previews of this new show and ended up in hospital for a week. They knew what it was at A&E immediately – a false…

Peter Back previews the next BPO concert: The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra brings the light, colour and vibrancy of the Mediterranean to the Dome on Sunday afternoon with a performance of Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony. Written in a sunny room on the Piazza di Spagna in Rome, and completed in Naples, the work…

Writer and performer Femi Martin gives us the low-down on her first solo theatre show How to Die of a Broken Heart where she shares some of her most embarrassing and painful experiences, but with plenty of laughs along the way.How and where will the show be staged?The show will be in the Founders Room on 25th…

Alice in Wonderland, a magical ballet based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass, is brought to Brighton Dome this festive season by Ballet Theatre UK. Artistic Director Christopher Moore gives us the low-down on what it takes to create a new ballet and the work that goes on…

A visually rich production that explores themes of migration through darkly atmospheric songs and breathtaking stop-motion animation with Martin Green (Lau), Adrian Utley (Portishead), Dominic Aitchison (Mogwai), Becky Unthank (The Unthanks), Adam Holmes and Whiterobot.Martin Green is well known for musical experimentation…

Honest, powerful and tender, Tighten Our Belts is a show about the cost of austerity for people in Brighton and Hove created by Brighton People’s Theatre - a brand new theatre company comprised of non-professional actors working in collaboration with professional theatre-makers. Director Naomi Alexander talks to us about…

In this guest interview James Rampton delves into Josh's success, The Last Leg and upcoming tour What Do I Do Now...Josh Widdicombe has a flourishing TV career. He co-presents the award-winning C4 programme, The Last Leg, one of the most popular comedy shows on television. He has also made memorable appearances on…

The comedian, broadcaster and co-host of The Great British Bake Off, gives the low-down on her new tour Live! in Spectacles, coming to Brighton Dome in September.What prompted you to hit the road with your new tour, “LIVE! in Spectacles”?It’s a good time to look back on my life so far. I fully intend to live to the…

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…

Last year we brought you Q+As on how to be A Theatre Producer and A Production Manager. Now, with the help of Simon Callaghan Photography, you can find out how to take brilliant, professional-looking photographs, even if you're an amateur! Here are my top 5 tips to hugely improve your event photography.Whether…

Music producer Laura Ducceschi announced as winner of the £10,000 Arts Foundation fellowship for the Producer of Live Music category supported by PRS for Music Foundation.Last night at London’s 20th Century Theatre, special guest Sebastian Faulks announced Laura Ducceschi as the winning producer in this category supported…

Have a peek backstage as Pirates of the Carabina prepare to open Flown, a beautifully bonkers Christmas circus show, here this Sat 19 Dec - Sun 27 Dec at Brighton Dome.

Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival’s Production Manager Andy Furneaux discusses his role for #LoveTheatreDayWhat does your role entail? Under the Head of Production and Deputy Head of Production, I lead a team in the pre-production of all events that come to the spaces at Brighton Dome. As well as this I am responsible…

TEDxBrighton caught up with this year's host Laurence Rickar. Larry (as he would prefer you all to call him) is a BAFTA-winning comedy writer and actor, probably best known for his work on the hit BBC sketch show Horrible Histories and the Sky 1 fantasy comedy Yonderland.What are you doing right now?I'm on a train, which…

The choreographer discusses her double bill Material Men and Strange BloomsOver the course of her highly individual choreographic career, south Indian-born Artistic Director Shobana Jeyasingh has created work for a variety of venues and contexts including theatres, outdoor and indoor sites and on film. Ahead of her Brighton…

We sent the rather cheeky and adorable residents of Avenue Q for a day out around our fair city.See what our felted friends make of Brighton’s i360, the nudist beach and seagulls… Avenue Q The Musical is coming to Brighton Dome from Tue 22 to Sat 26 Sep. Click here to find out more and book. 

Duckie co-creator Simon Casson and Artistic Director of Border Force Joshua Sofaer discuss the experimental club night’s latest show.Experimental performance and arts collective Duckie have been blurring the boundaries between theatre, nightclubs and ‘arty show business’ for the last twenty years. Whether it is parties…

Brighton Dome's colourful history and heritage...Our venues have seen a lot… What building completed in 1808 hasn’t? We thought it was time to do a little kiss and tell about a few of the things we’ve seen and heard…Now, some believe that we are situated on the site of a Saxon cemetery, which could explain some…

The Umbrella Club - Brighton Dome’s membership club for children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their siblings and carers – completed its second full season of performances with an awe-inspiring underwater adventure – in Otherworld, an interactive show designed for all children and young people…

In 1987 What the Body Does Not Remember, the debut work from Wim Vandekeybus and Ultima Vez, stunned the world of dance. Almost three decades later and with a new cast, the show still stands as one of the most exciting pieces of dance ever made. See it here at Brighton Dome this February. Watch the trailer for this…

A Christmas CarolEnjoy a sneak peek behind-the-scenes of this classic story retold through the magic of balletBallet Theatre UK’s interpretation of the classic tale brings a host of colourful characters vividly to life, from Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser impervious to Christmas cheer, to the three spirits who help him…

Get to know Cirque AlfonseThe family that plays together, chops wood together and performs death-defying feats together... stays together.Family performers Cirque Alfonse head to Brighton Dome this January. Including phenomenal feats of agility and strength, Timber! stars the whole family from 66-year-old grandad…

Experimental pianist and earsthetic’s first artist in residence Sarah Nicolls discusses the creation of her ‘Inside-Out Piano’ and the development of her new piece Moments of Weightlessness, which pushes the boundaries of what a piano can do…How did you get into experimental piano playing and composition?I started…

In the Studio / Park is a series of videos commissioned by Jasmin Vardimon Company and produced by the company’s Associate Director Guy Bar-Amotz. The series includes eight short videos offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Park rehearsal room through the eyes of rehearsal director Vinicius Salles. Throughout…

An interview with Action Hero's Gemma PaintinPaying homage to the trite story-lines, inspiring locker room speeches and cheap sentimentality of American teen sports movies, Action Hero’s new show Hoke’s Bluff challenges the audience to explore what it means to be a winner (on the inside). We caught up with one half…

Brighton Dome are proud to release - a very limited run - of our first ever music & culture magazine, featuring loads of extra content for our most dedicated, music-lovin’, bar-hugging, gig-going, arty-party audience, with a pure aim of giving you an insight into our venues and the artists we’re proud to present…

Brighton Dome are chuffed to have been chosen by music hub Songkick for a feature article as part of their Venue Spotlight series. They interviewed our Music Producer Laura Ducceschi about how we set about providing ‘one of the most expansive and bountiful event schedules in the UK’ Included in the interview…

Are you an artist focused on cross-art form and interdisciplinary exploration?Do you have a work that is new and in development, that you’d like to test on audiences in a dedicated space with full technical support?The Works is an ongoing series dedicated to developing work by people like you: theatre makers, dancers,…

Our latest brochure is out - it's slick, it's streamlined, it's jam-packed with amazing events and best of all it's readable almost anywhere!We'd love you to take it for a test run and see just how readable it really is. So... just where will you read yours? Take and share a picture of our new brochure and/or you…

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…

We spent some time with Duckie co-founder Simon Casson to see what these brilliant purveyors of mischief, music, dance and performance had in store for their upcoming trip to Brighton for Pride and their latest clubbing extraganza.So just what is Duckie: Mods versus Rockers? Is it a club? Is it a contest? Is…

The Energy Show is an explosive (literally!) theatre show for families. It explores the different forms of energy through spectacular experiments live on stage. Expect rockets, fireballs and explosions and some pretty splendid costumes and set! Here at Brighton Dome on Wed 18 Jun.The Energy Show is staged in a Steampunk…

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…

By Alastair CooperTo describe my experience of classical music as limited would be generous. It would be more honest to describe myself as woefully ignorant to anything beyond my experience of pre-pubescent piano lessons and the build up to Champions League football. I can’t differentiate Bach from Brahms or Beethoven…

We were really pleased to be asked to play as part of earsthetic at Brighton Dome, the opportunity to appear on such a great bill wasn't to be passed up. It also meant we could work with Bartosz Dylewski to get some cracking visuals in place. Unfortunately, for various reasons I couldn't get to any of the other…

We thought you'd like to get an insight into the world of Brighton Festival planning from our Head of Creative Learning at Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, Pippa Smith. Here she tells us just what it’s like to work with local teachers on the iconic Brighton Festival Children’s Parade:What…

We thought you may enjoy a few photos from our recent Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds show. It was a pretty spectacular night, but you don't have to just believe what we say - take a look at the photos, by the wonderful Victor Frankowski, and read on to see what the critics thought...'Magnetic as ever. At the end of this…

We’re feeling pretty honoured to be hosting TEDxBrighton.Many of you will have indulged in a TED video at some point in your lives, their insightful, eclectic range of videos will have informed many an on and off-line discussion.If you’ve not heard about TED or TEDx before then here’s a little bit more about their…

Our Director of Development, Barbara Macpherson, took some time with our production team finding out just what it’s like to do a changeover in our Concert Hal l- from a seating to standing show. This is a big job, which involves working through the night and a huge amount of effort and skill. Read on to find out just…