Brighton Dome in WW1 and WW2

At this Open Day, discover the sights and sounds of the Royal Pavilion Estate during the two World Wars. Delve into the sights and sounds of the tea-dances held weekly at Brighton Dome during WW2 from the perspective of one of the young girls who attended and have a go on the dance floor yourself. Come along dressed in your best in the style of 1940s!

WW1 Dance Workshop

10.30am–11.30am | Free but booking required 

Sussex Swing will teach the Allies’ Waltz – a dance popular around WW1 on the Dome Concert Hall Stage. 

WW2 Dance Workshop

12pm–1pm | Free but booking required 

Sussex Swing will teach the energetic lindy-hop, an African American dance originating in Harlem, New York City that became popular throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

Hair-workshop

1.30–2.30pm | Free and sign-up to book on the day

In the Mezzanine area of the Dome Foyer, Lizzie will be teaching us how to do some popular ladies hairstyles from the 1940s. Her knowledge comes from being part of WW2 re-enactment groups for many years and she was shortlisted for the BBC show 'Hair'. We will have all the things you will need to do this workshop but please bring your own hairbrush/comb.

Exhibition 

10am–4pm 

There will also be an exhibition in the foyer featuring costumes of the 1940s from Gladrags costume hire, ‘Letters from the wars’ including the personal letters and photographs of Joan Nash, a young girl who attended Dome Dancing with her friends during WW2, and letters from the Indian Soldiers, and soldiers who lost their limbs during WW1.

PLUS the café will be open all day and the sounds of the 1940s will be playing in the foyer and café-bar area.