Brighton is one of the most culturally exciting cities there is, and the theatre on offer here plays a big part in that. We put together a list of our favourite theatres to check-out and societies to join during your Freshers!
The Theatre Royal is perhaps the most famous venue the city has to offer: a grade II listed building situated in the heart of town that opened in 1807, and since then has seen its stage graced by some of the best actors the country has produced – this summer a production of Pinter’s No Man’s Land featured living legends Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart –. The next few months will see productions of classic works of literature like A Room with a View and A Tale of Two Cities adapted for the stage, ideal for any book lovers out there. Those into opera will not be left short either with performances of two of Verdi’s finest works, Nabucco and Aida. Nor is there a shortage of musicals on offer, with West End hits Blood Brothers and Sunny Afternoon, the story of The Kinks, stopping off at Brighton as they tour the country.
If the Great British Summertime manages to actually give us a few days of sunshine then there is no better place to head to than the Brighton Open Air Theatre.
Situated in Hove, you can enjoy plays in this beautiful outdoor theatre, and this September offers Treasure Island and Middleton’s The Revenger’s Tragedy amongst others.
Make sure you keep an eye out for shows at Brighton Little Theatre, a not-for-profit that puts on plays year round. 88 London Road is also a leading venue that has an exciting line up in the coming months, including Sweeney Todd, Wait until Dark and Beauty and the Beast. If Spoken Word and Performance Poetry are your area of interest then make sure you join the Wordsmiths Society here at Sussex, and head down to Hammer and Tongue at Komedia on the first Thursday of each month for some Poetry Slam action.
Kate Tempest, poet, playwright, author, musician and all-round genius will also be heading down south on December 9th for a gig at All Saints Church, an evening not to be missed.
Lastly, if you’re hoping to be on the stage rather than in the audience then get involved with Sussex University Drama Society (SUDs) or Sussex Musical Theatre Society (SMuTs) and become part of productions here at Sussex!
Society Spotlight: Interested in Music performance?
Big Band
Auditions are held at the start of every year for Jazz Singers, Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones and Rhythm!
Show Choir
The University of Sussex Show Choir is a society giving students the opportunity to rehearse and perform a huge range of songs, from jazz to modern pop to old classics, showtunes and lots more!
Folk Music
Come along every Friday from 6-8pm to meeting room 2 in Falmer house! We celebrate, listen to and play folk music at our weekly meetings and at shows around campus, and we organise trips to see folk gigs and music around Brighton.