Ahhhh, May – the month every Brightonian looks forward to. It marks the much-anticipated return of our beloved Fringe festival, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of creativity and excitement. The air hums with an energy that perfectly captures Brighton’s artistic and whimsical spirit. With a heady mix of cabaret, comedy, experimental performances, and everything in between, the Fringe is a true melting pot of artistic expression in all its weird and wonderful glory.
Yes, Brighton Fringe is back, and this year it’s extra special as the festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary. From 2nd May to 1st June, over 900 shows and more than 4,000 performances will take over 140 venues across the city, from the grand Brighton Dome to the tiniest of pop-up performance spaces.
We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of some performances at the annual opening night showcase, and if what we saw is anything to go by, this year’s Fringe is set to be a wild ride. From wonderfully deranged comedy featuring human potatoes, to dazzling music and cabaret, the 2025 line-up promises a glorious mix of the weird, the wonderful, and the downright unexplainable. In other words, classic Brighton Fringe.
Our highlights from the showcase: first up, Glenda & Rita: Live brought old Hollywood glamour crashing into the 21st century with their camp and chaotic drag double-act. Think black-and-white movie starlets, memorable one-liners, and fabulous costumes – it’s part cabaret, part time-travel, and entirely good fun.
Then there was SPUDS: Tatties on Tour — and honestly, we’re still trying to process it. Imagine the Chuckle Brothers reincarnated as two anarchic potatoes in a surreal fever dream. Creepy, silly, and laugh-out-loud funny – exactly the kind of madness we love from Brighton Fringe.
All Aboard! An Evening with Pearl and Dean brought the glamour of a cruise ship lounge to Brighton. A camp comedy duo with powerhouse vocals and hilarious banter, this is the show you could (and should) take your mum to.
And we have to mention Ellen Turnill Montoya is Mr Handsome — a one-woman show featuring a comedian dressed as a literal giant hand. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds – and utterly hilarious too.
Our other top picks from the line-up:
The Bitten Peach – The UK’s Pan-Asian cabaret collective brings dazzling drag and electrifying burlesque to the Fringe stage. Expect high drama, high kicks and high heels.
Vibrations from Mars – Gaylien de Mars takes you on a cosmic journey through sound bowls, restorative yoga and ethereal vocals. It’s part meditation, part outer-space voyage.
Debussy’s Romantic Piano by Candlelight – If you’re looking for something more low-key (but no less magical), soak up the sounds of Clair de Lune and other romantic classics, performed by candlelight in a setting straight out of a Venetian masked ball.
My Dad’s Elton John – David from 4 Poofs and a Piano tells the hilarious and heartfelt story of how his dad may or may not be Elton John. Camp comedy meets musical nostalgia.
The Disappeared – A wild and sexy burlesque cabaret telling the true story of a queer LatinX voice robbed of their freedom. Sultry, powerful, and unmissable.
She’s B.Hind You – Pantomime with a deliciously twisted edge – expect laughs, drama and a touch of the unexpected.
InStitches – This Peckham-based improv troupe specialises in short-form comedy. Think Whose Line Is It Anyway? with added chaos.
Cabarave’s CuriousiTEA Party – Big beats, big performances, and big vibes. It’s Alice in Wonderland meets a warehouse rave – and yes, dressing up is encouraged.
It’s worth remembering that this mammoth event receives no regular public funding. That’s right – all 700 events listed in the much-missed Fringe brochure (returning to cafés, pubs and venues from mid-April) are powered by a combination of grants, private donations and sheer Brightonian grit. If you want to keep the magic alive for another 20 years, you can donate to Brighton Fringe here.
So, clear your schedule, grab a brochure (when they drop in April), and prepare for a month of artistic chaos. From deranged potato comedy to masked balls by candlelight, there really is something for everyone.
Friday 2nd May to Sunday 1st June
brightonfringe.org
