BRIGHTON FRINGE 2023, WHAT TO SEE DURING THE KING'S CORONATION

By Federica Purcaro (University of Brighton Press Placement)

Brighton Fringe 2023 is returning from May 5 to June 4 with more than 500 events in more than 100 venues across Brighton and beyond. 

Events varying from comedy, to theatre, to cabaret and so much more, are ready to delight and entertain audiences for a full month. You don’t want to miss out on the fun. 

The day after Brighton Fringe 2023 kicks off, is very important in this country, as King Charles III’s coronation is taking place in London, ready to be seen by millions all over the world. History being made right in front of our eyes.

If you want to celebrate the King in a Fringe way, or if you just want an excuse to go out and have fun, here is a compilation of events taking place around the coronation’s time, from May 5 to the 8.

From vibrant cabarets to tea dances and royal drag shows, we got you covered.

SWINGING AT THE SPIEGEL, MAY 8, 13. £17 (Brighton Spiegeltent)

Brighton Jazz Mafia return to the splendour of Brighton Spiegeltent, featuring two events capturing the glorious swing era.

Expect immersive events with amazing authentic music and dance displays. 

Come in vintage costume or as you are to enjoy these magnificent music spectaculars.

RAGROOF TEA DANCES, MAY 7, 28. £16 (Brighton Spiegeltent) 

The legendary Ragroof Tea Dance is coming back to Brighton Spiegeltent, featuring vintage tunes, glamorous costumes, glorious dance displays, and trademark Instant dance classes.

On May 7, get ready to dance through decades of music! Since King Charles was born in 1948, British dancehalls have seen a whirlwind of dance crazes, from jitterbug to jive, the twist to the locomotion, the mambo to the macarena – and not forgetting the Saturday night fever frenzy of the 1970s and beyond!

It’s a gender-neutral approach to the dancefloor, so don’t be afraid to wear your finest party wear and don’t worry, everyone from absolute beginners to experienced dancers is welcome to dance their way out of the ballroom and into the disco. 

CABARET BOHEME: STAGE AND SCREEN. MAY 6, 7. £16 (Brighton Spiegeltent)

Join the King and Queen of cabaret as they add the Crown Jewels to your Coronation weekend!

Vocal powerhouse, Chris Hide and vocal diva, Veronica Blacklace Cabaret Boheme, are returning to Brighton Spiegeltent for a ninth year in a row. Ready for you to enjoy is a show inspired by Hollywood movies, Broadway musicals and even a Netflix series, accompanied by phenomenal live vocals and a visual masterpiece of gravity-defining aerial circus. 

ROEDEAN FESTIVAL FRINGE CONCERT, MAY 5. £10 (Roedean Chapel)

To celebrate Roedean’s community spirit and love for music, talented young musicians have prepared a festival concert where they will perform concerto movements with orchestra and a semi-staged performance of Purcell’s Opera Dido and Aeneas by the Roedean Choir, joined by parents, staff and musicians.

Brought to you by a community for families and all. 

UNITED QUEENDOM, MAY 26, 27, 28. £18 (Brighton Spiegeltent)

What better way to celebrate a coronation than with United Queendom!

Celebrate your inner Queens, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, ability or religion in this extravagant show. Elements of queer culture fused with circus, variety and burlesque, brought to you by a cast of London’s finest cabaret performers and international circus royalty.