The Brighton Fringe has been around since 2005 and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most important arts festivals. Many of the shows here will go on to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and it’s a big part of the international Fringe calendar.
It is an open-access festival, meaning that anyone can put on a show (once they’ve registered and found a venue, of course). It doesn’t get any public funding, and you can support it here.
Let’s take a look at shows that may appeal to the STARBURST reader.
Happily Never After
The Maydays are a world-renowned, award-winning improv comedy company based in Brighton. Their dark and gothic comedy show Happily Never After makes a triumphant return to the Brighton Fringe this year. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Beetlejuice, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Addams Family and Lemony Snicket, this is a must-watch for anyone who likes their improv dark.
Robot Vacuum Fight Club
Marketed as “nothing like that Robot Wars”, Robot Vacuum Fight Club invites audiences to select a knock-off Roomba and some weapons then pit their champions against similar machines. This will probably be used as damning evidence when the robot revolution comes, but boy, does it look fun.
Space Planet Mission: The Improvised Sci-Fi Epic
More improv, but this time IN SPACE! Well, set in space at least. The Free Association improv team present a sci-fi epic of the likes you’ve never seen, and will never see again, as it’s improv. Science fiction improv is hard to do well, but if any can, it’s this team.
Inspired by real testimonies of women working in the gaming industry, check out this show from Dogmouth Theatre. Join Player One and Player Two on a comedic journey into video game fandom, the women who love video games, and the problems with a community that doesn’t know how to be nice to each other.
Enter the world of Ghibli. Well, enter Blossoms Cocktail Bar, and enjoy an immersive mix of cinema and cuisines, as My Neighbour Totoro is transformed into a culinary experience. Combining a good movie with good food is always fun.
You can find all these shows and more at the Brighton Fringe 2025, which runs from May 2nd to June 1st.
