Brighton Fringe revises dates for 2021 festival

Originally they were aiming for the 2021 festival to run from May 7-June 6, with registrations closing on February 19.

Amid the current lockdown, they have revised the dates for the festival.

It will run from May 28-June 27, with registrations closing on April 2. Priority booking for Friends of Brighton Fringe opens April 12. Tickets will be on sale from April 16.

After the success of allowing digital events in their autumn season, Brighton Fringe are offering participants the option to present work both online and offline as part of the festival to ensure wider access.

Register at https://www.brightonfringe.org/take-part/

The tagline for this year’s Brighton Fringe is Celebrate.

Julian Caddy, CEO of Brighton Fringe, said: “As the world emerges tentatively from a pandemic that has so profoundly affected all aspects of our lives, it is a time to celebrate – not only that our freedoms are returning, but that the arts sector, which has been so badly affected by the restrictions, is coming back to entertain us. There is still a way to go but we are here to help lead a celebration of what we love - and we can’t wait!

“Following in the footsteps of Argos and IKEA, Brighton Fringe will not be producing a printed brochure in 2021 and will instead be reaching audiences in new ways. All events will be listed on the Brighton Fringe website and the official Brighton Fringe app (download now to get ready for March 18 when tickets go on sale) and the newsletter remains the best way to keep up with all the latest news about the festival.”

In 2019, Brighton Fringe entertained more than 600,000 people with a programme of 1,034 events and 4,774 performances (including everything from comedy and circus to theatre and tours) taking place throughout May and June. In 2020, despite the pandemic, Brighton Fringe was able to present a much-scaled back autumn season, featuring 87 events at 18 venues, including 44 digital events to over 12,000 people.

“According to our 2019 and 2020 audience survey data, 98 per cent of attendees agreed that Brighton Fringe makes a positive contribution to Brighton’s image and 94 per cent believe Brighton Fringe encourages greater participation in community life and events.

“Our 2020 audience survey data also tells us that 90 per cent of audiences felt safe when attending Brighton Fringe autumn season events and 88 per cent of audiences feel confident to attend Brighton Fringe events in 2021.”

Julian added: “Brighton Fringe continues to champion accessibility and will highlight events that are accessible to a range of audiences with particular access needs, including those with visible and invisible disabilities, as well as showcasing and supporting the work of D/deaf, disabled and neuro-diverse artists.

“There will also be a programme of free fringe academy workshops running from December, open to everyone, on topics such as Funding, Arts Council Project Grants and Marketing for your event.”