Drama curriculum favourite Gecko’s Kin to be first on stage at Brighton Dome’s newly refurbished Corn Exchange

Award-winning physical theatre company Gecko, a recommended practitioner on GCSE and A-level theatre and drama syllabuses, bring their new show Kin to Brighton Dome’s refurbished Grade I listed Corn Exchange from 1-4 November 2023.

Commissioned by the National Theatre, Kin is the eighth show from Gecko, whose critically acclaimed productions highlight the complexity of modern life. Kin reflects on migration as a part of human existence, having been inspired by a conversation Gecko’s Artistic Director Amit Lahav had with his grandmother, Leah, about the journey his family made from Yemen to Palestine in 1932 to escape persecution. It is a provocative, poetically intoxicating story of desperation and compassion.

Hailed by The Guardian as “visually stunning...brave...and physically distinctive”, Gecko’s work is created through collaboration, experimentation and play. For Kin the company’s extraordinary international ensemble draws upon their own experiences of migration, racism, empathy and home alongside Lahav’s story, using unbarred emotion to produce a powerful piece combining physical theatre, dance and a compelling global soundtrack.

Lahav said: “Every production that I create starts with a personal reflection combined with a current wider societal issue. Kin was ultimately inspired by the desire to delve deeper into the complex mix of migration stories that make up who I am. We all have migration stories whether we’re aware of them or whether they’re more distant, and that excites me because we have the potential to encourage a profoundly positive, celebratory voyage towards empathy. We exist both where we’ve come from and where we’re going; this is what I wanted to explore through the creation of Kin.”

Tickets are available at a reduced rate for school and college groups for the performances on Wednesday 1, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November. Gecko is also offering all school and college bookers an accompanying classroom workshop, led by the company’s performers, also at a discounted rate. Suitable for Year 10 and upwards, participants will have the opportunity to experience the company’s unique style of movement and physical theatre, gaining insight into the creative process behind a show.

The opening of Kin will mark live performance returning to Brighton Dome’s historic Corn Exchange and Grade II listed Studio Theatre, following a major refurbishment. The restoration is the result of a long-term vision between Brighton & Hove City Council, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and Brighton & Hove Museums to reunite the historic Royal Pavilion Estate as a major UK cultural destination.  

Audiences can expect a diverse programme of theatre, dance, comedy, classical and contemporary music from emerging and established artists, alongside community and participatory events. Anita’s Room, a new creative space supported by The Roddick Foundation, will also be available for use by artists, companies and community groups, as part of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival’s ongoing commitment to support artists and develop bold and innovative new work.

For more details visit brightondome.org

For school and college group bookings and workshop information contact Brighton Dome’s ticket office: [javascript protected email address] / 01273 709709