MAY-SEPTEMBER 2020 NOTICE ON COVID-19 There is currently great uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and how it may affect our programme. For the most up to date information regarding show cancellations, please visit the relevant production’s page on our website: brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk Patron Simon Evans Patron Amanda Redman MBE BOAT takes the health and wellbeing of all our visiting artists, staff, volunteers WELCOME TO BRIGHTON OPEN AIR THEATRE’S 2020 SEASON and audience incredibly seriously. At the time of print, our intention is to operate our Summer Season as usual, but we will continue to follow advice issued by the 2020 marks BOAT’s 6th year as one of Sussex’s premier outdoor theatres, and we have a jam- government and Public Health England in order to protect everyone connected to packed season ahead to celebrate. From Shakespeare to David Walliams, Dracula to Sherlock Holmes and The Beatles to Mozart, we’ve got something for everyone this summer! BOAT. Please visit our website and follow us on social media for the latest updates. BOAT seats 485 people in a specially designed Greek-style theatre in leafy Dyke Road Park. The 2020 season runs from 1st May to 27th September, with 62 companies and 141 performances across a variety of disciplines, including theatre, dance, comedy, music, puppetry, circus and family shows. The theatre generally opens an hour before performances start, and you’re welcome to settle down with a picnic, or enjoy our selection of great value drinks and snacks available at our fully licensed bar. Seating is unreserved, but you get a great view from anywhere. Remember to plan for all weather; bring layers, a hat, waterproofs and sun cream - performances go ahead whatever the weather! Our big news this year is that we’re thrilled to have been granted planning permission to build some brand new facilities, including accessible toilets, a permanent box office, and an increased backstage area. Keep an eye on our social media accounts and sign up to the newsletter for updates on the season and our BOAT-build campaign. Finally, we’d like to thank everyone who continues to support BOAT, whether it’s our terrific team of volunteers who help steer the ship at every performance, the brilliant artists gracing our stage every night, or you the audience, without whom none of this would be possible. Enjoy the season; we can’t wait to welcome you aboard! The Brighton Open Air Theatre Team PLAN YOUR VISIT • FAQ’s on page 31 brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk BrightonOpenAirTheatre @BoatTheatre Brightonopenairtheatre 3 SUSPICIOUSLY ELVIS GOES POP MINOTAUR TALES FROM THE SHED ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THE BALLET Funky Moose Productions All Greek To Me Chickenshed Let’s All Dance If you have ever wondered what Elvis would have done Love and the labyrinth. At the heart of the labyrinth, the Tales from the Shed are vibrant, interactive theatre shows A fantastical new ballet for the whole family! Stunning with Bruce Springsteen, Lady GaGa, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Minotaur skulks. His sister, Ariadne, loves him, but she that are informal, lively and amazingly engaging, as the dancing, much loved characters and super costumes Mars, Kylie Minogue, Erasure, Amy Winehouse, The also loves the great hero, Theseus. Who will she save, performers and audience share the same space within an bring the famous tale to life in this magical ballet Smiths or even Robbie Williams, now’s the time to find and who will escape from the labyrinth? inclusive environment. We guarantee that shows will be production. out! fun, really silly and that there will be plenty of colourful With their distinctive mix of storytelling, physical theatre Come and join Alice as she enters the curiouser and puppets - from Can-Can the beautiful bird to laid back So dig out your favourite 80’s, 90’s and 00’s outfits, and and music, All Greek To Me tell this timeless tale of love curiouser world of the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Lion Down and The Thing That Goes Blurgh! come and party Suspiciously Style! Thangyerveramush!! requited and love betrayed. Mad Hatter. Don’t be late for this very important date! Thurs 7 May Fri 1 May Sat 2 May Doors 10.30am | Start 11am & Doors 12.30pm | Fri 8, Sat 9 May Doors 6.30pm | Start 7.30pm Doors 1pm | Start 2pm & Doors 6pm | Start 7pm Start 1.30pm & Doors 3pm | Start 4pm Doors 10.30am | Start 11am & Doors 1pm | Start 2pm Full £15 | Conc £7.50 | Group (10) £13 Full £12 | Conc £10 | Family £40 | Group (10) £8 Full £7 | Conc £5 | Family £20 | Group (10) £5 Full £12 | Conc £10 | Family £40 | Group (10) £8 THE MIKADO JEKYLL AND HYDE OLD SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY CINDERFURY: PUTTING THE Opera Anywhere National Production Company TotRockinBeats CINDERELLA CULT ON TRIAL Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, flees in search of his A comedy with all the drama left in! Back by popular demand for the third year running! The Travelling Talesman true love, Yum-Yum. TotRockinBeats & The Dad La Soul crew, throw-down A show that stays true to the original tale whilst Cinderella. You think you know this classic rags to riches an amazingly funky, three hour, outdoor, family-friendly, Yum-Yum, however, is betrothed to Ko-Ko, the Lord High embracing the comedic magic of theatre in a hilarious plot, but the bit you know is just the middle, a sanitised, hip-hop, funk and soul block party. Executioner, against her will. Things, as you can see, fast-paced spin! Full of unexpected highs and lows, saccharin, PG construction. There are more than 700 are complicated! But can everything be righted before quick costume changes and sharp wit, enjoy this classic Featuring: Top DJ’s, MC’s, live graffiti, B-Boys and Girls, versions internationally filled with patriarchy, misogyny, someone loses their head? Expect hijinks, lots of energy novella as one wild ride that will leave you breathless and outdoor crafts, kids entertainment and much more! incest, talking horses and ill-fitting footwear. In this and clever wordplay as all is revealed! helpless with laughter. A very sensible farce! workshop production we are inviting the audience to judge them all with a modern eye. 16+ Sun 3 May Wed 6 May Sun 10 May Wed 13 & Thurs 14 May Doors 1pm |Start 2pm Doors 12pm | Start 1pm & Doors 6pm | Start 7pm Doors 2pm | Start 2pm Doors 6pm | Start 6.30pm Full £16 | Conc £14 | Family £45 | Group (10) £12 Full £15 | Conc £12 | Family £40 | Group (10) £10 Full £12 | Conc £8 Full £10 | Conc £8 | Group (10) £5 4 Theatre Comedy Family Music Other brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk BrightonOpenAirTheatre @BoatTheatre Brightonopenairtheatre 5 CLARISSE ROUD WORKS & GUESTS AN ICE THING TO SAY CUMBIA CHANGE THE BANGKOK RULES Vertebra Theatre Super Cumbia and the League of Joy Printers Playhouse This very exciting triple-bill of contemporary dance brings A “Cumbia del Monte” experience awakens us from the The UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners, together a team of multicultural, highly talented artists. A Visual Theatre Performance blending ice installation, long sleep of routine and gives us back the ability to play more commonly referred to as The Bangkok Rules, were music, movement, puppetry and live cinema to look at Clarisse Roud Works and Guests invite you to experience as children. Featuring Latin folklore instruments, mixed unanimously voted for by the UN General Assembly. The the modern human of the Anthropocene Era and our an intimate and a reflective journey portraying captivating with reggae rhythms and lyrics that contain conscience Rules thus provide a monitoring mechanism and good relationship with nature, and we invite the audience into choreography. The company offers a display of and optimism. Break through the walls of fear of practice guidelines to which member states have chosen a multi-sensory interactive experience of our own icy meaningful dance inspired by symbolism, aligning grace movement and be free of prejudices dancing with Super to adhere. landscapes. with strength and engaging audiences with narrative Cumbia and the League of Joy! gestures and bold, expressive physicality. This is the story of four women stuck in this system. Sat 16 May Fri 15 May Doors 1.30pm | Start 2.30pm Wed 20 May Thur 21 May Doors 6.30pm | Start 7.30pm Doors 6.30pm | Start 7.30pm Doors 6.30pm | Start 7.30pm Doors 7pm | Start 8pm Full £12 | Conc £10 Full £12 | Conc £10 Full £10 | Conc £8 Full £10 | Conc £8 | Group (10) £5 MR STINK Heartbreak Productions You’re invited to celebrate Annabelle’s 10th birthday, hosted by everyone’s favourite MP candidate, Janet Crumb! (Almost) everyone is welcome… that is, everyone apart from Chloe’s particularly smelly new friend, Mr Stink. Join Heartbreak Productions for David Walliams’ best- seller Mr Stink on the outdoor stage. Bring a picnic and dress for the weather. Packed with fun, humour and a ABBA MANIA heart-warming message, this touching tale provides the Handshake perfect family entertainment. With all your favourite ABBA hits including Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous, Dancing Queen, Winner Takes It All, and Super Trouper, the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute bring you a show not to be missed! Fri 22 & Sat 23 May Doors 6pm | Start 7pm Sat 23 & Sun 24 May Sun 17 May Doors 1pm | Start 2pm Doors 1pm | Start 2pm Full £22 | Conc £20 Full £14 | Conc £10 | Family £44 | Group (10) £10 6 Theatre Comedy Family Music Other brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk BrightonOpenAirTheatre @BoatTheatre Brightonopenairtheatre 7 LADY MACBETH Ethereal Theatre Company ‘I dare do all that may become a man’ Set in a matriarchal world in an alternate timeline, where women are dominant.