The Robin Hood pub in Brighton is hosting a street party on the 30th of April to celebrate the first bank holiday in May.
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Shakespeare in Love play comes to Brighton theatres this August
Shakespeare is known for writing some of the most famous romantic plays in history such as Romeo and Juliet. But little is known about the romantic life of the acclaimed playwright, which is why the story of Shakespeare in Love is unique. It was first portrayed on the big screen in 1998 and it won seven Oscars. Shakespeare in Love has now been adapted for the theatre and it promises to deliver a comical, and romantic story to a Brighton audience this summer. It has all the iconic themes that Shakespeare fans enjoy, such as forbidden love and tragedy, and there’s also a touch of modern-day female empowerment.
Shakespeare in Love will be performed in Brighton Little Theatre on the 8th -12th of August and in Brighton Open Air Theatre on the 17th-19th of August. It’s suitable for all ages. It will be directed by Claire Lewis. The story follows William Shakespeare who will be played by Lewis Todhunter, as he navigates the troubles of having writer’s block and debt. He meets a noblewoman called Viola de Lesseps who is played by Melissa Paris, and she inspires him to write Romeo and Juliet. They begin a secret love affair as Shakespeare is married, and Viola is betrothed to Lord Wessex who is the villain. Claire Lewis, director, said: “I think this is a really entertaining show, and I think it celebrates all that is good about theatre because it’s got a bit of everything in it.”
Brighton Open Air Theatre (Image: Brighton Open Air Theatre)
Viola de Lesseps’s character is unique because she is not the stereotypical prim upper-class woman, that was common in the Elizabethan era. She is headstrong and passionate about theatre, as she watches all of Shakespeare’s plays. She dreams of performing on stage but women during that time were not allowed to be in plays. Men would play female roles. Viola goes against this societal norm and pretends to be a boy called ‘Thomas Kent’, in order to be cast as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Melissa Paris, actor, said: “That’s a risky thing to do for anyone of that time, but for a woman of that social standing to try and pull that off, I really admire her bravery and her mischief.”
There was a lot of competition for Viola de Lesseps’s character during the auditions for this play. Melissa Paris, said: “I walked out and was like ‘oh that was fun but not a shot in hell’ especially because there were people there that I’ve seen in plays, and I adore.” These auditions were open to everyone, but most of the cast are from Brighton and have been in local theatre shows before. Melissa Paris, said: “We all auditioned in front of each other and that can be really scary. But you go in with the mindset of even if you don’t get it, it’s really enjoyable watching everyone.” Viola’s character also requires a musical background.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes in the 1998 Shakespeare in Love film (Image: Brighton Little Theatre)
This play is not historically accurate, it’s a fictional story. It’s based on the 1998 Shakespeare in Love film that was written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. But some elements of the story are real. Claire Lewis, said: “Some of the characters really existed for example, John Webster was a contemporary playwright of Shakespeare but younger than him, then you’ve got Queen Elizabeth I, that was a fantastic role.” Other characters that existed in real life include Henslowe, who owned the Rose Theatre in London at the time. Kit Marlowe’s character was also a real person, and many believed that he wrote some of Shakespeare’s work. Claire Lewis, said: “A lot of the jokes come from Shakespeare’s plays, so the more you know Shakespeare the more you’ll find it funny.”
Shakespeare in Love is in its early stages of production as the actors were cast this week. Rehearsals will start in June, and they will last for six/eight weeks. The rehearsal process is intense, as the actors will rehearse four times a week. Melissa Paris, said: “It always feels like rehearsals go so fast, you blink and it’s the dress run.” The lines in the play will not be modern and colloquial, and the Romeo and Juliet sections will be in iambic pentameter. Melissa Paris, said: “As much as you can work on a scene, I think you still need to maintain a level of organic emotion that comes out of something because as humans that’s what you do.”
Shakespeare in Love being performed in Noel Coward Theatre in London in 2015 (Image: Noel Coward Theatre)
This is an amateur production of Shakespeare in Love. It was performed professionally on stage between 2014- 2015 and toured successfully. The professional production received many positive reviews. This is the first time that Shakespeare in Love is being performed in Brighton. Tickets will cost between £10-12.
To find out more visit, https://www.brightonlittletheatre.com/events/shakespeareinlove.
Michael Jackson tribute show ‘Michael Starring Ben’ comes to the Brighton Centre this May
Michael Jackson. The King of Pop. The greatest entertainer of all time. These are all names that describe the man who provided the world with legendary music, iconic dancing, and dazzling costumes for thirty years. Seeing Michael Jackson perform live is described by fans as an otherworldly experience. From the unique songs to the outstanding set designs, it’s a memory that will last forever. Ben Bowman, Britain’s top Michael Jackson tribute star, is giving fans the opportunity to experience this magic once again at the Brighton Centre in May. People will be transported back in time when catchy pop songs, red leather jackets, and moonwalks ruled the stage.
James Baker Productions is bringing the ‘Michael Starring Ben’ tribute show to the Brighton Centre on the 19th of May. This show is suitable for people of all ages. James Baker, producer, said: “It’s a family show we tend to get people who love Michael Jackson’s music but aren’t necessarily completely specific about every last detail.” All of Michael Jackson’s popular songs will be performed including Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, and Man in the Mirror. Music from The Jackson 5 will be performed, and there will be a live band and dancers. James Baker, said: “It’s a high energy, all singing, all dancing Michael Jackson live concert. We believe it’s as close as you’ll get to watching Michael Jackson live.”
Ben Bowman performing on stage (Image: James Baker Productions)
This tribute show takes months of preparation from Ben Bowman. This includes rehearsing songs, creating dance routines, and watching Michael Jackson’s past performances. Ben Bowman, Michael Jackson tribute star, said: “I’m always watching footage back of myself and criticising myself because I’m my own worst critic. I’m not just someone who’s walked into this. I’m mad, I’m Michael Jackson as well.” Ben Bowman has been performing this show for eighteen years. Ben Bowman, said: “I’ve had my ups and downs through it, I’ve gone on stage with no voice and just kept my fingers crossed for the two hours.” Ben Bowman’s Michael Jackson costumes are made by a costume designer, and they take weeks to complete. James Baker, said: “There’s a belt that he wears in the show and it’s got 150,000 diamantes sewn into it. That took a long while.”
Imitating someone as renowned as Michael Jackson can lead to negativity and backlash from fans. Ben Bowman, said: “I’ve had in the past ‘too fat’ or ‘don’t sing like him’ and you think well, I’m a different person. I do battle and watch my weight, and diet and work out constantly, and that’s partly as a result of those comments a few years ago.” This tribute show also receives positive reviews, as Ben Bowman is regarded as one of the best Michael Jackson tribute acts in Britain. His show is loved by fans across the UK and in certain parts of the world, such as Sweden, where he recently performed. Ben Bowman, said: “I work closely with my choreographer who is extremely good at translating what I would like, I try to make it as authentic as possible.”
Ben Bowman performing on stage (Image: James Baker Productions)
Ben Bowman first watched Michael Jackson perform live when he was eight years old, and instantly became a fan of the King of Pop. Ben Bowman, said: “I was absolutely starstruck.” He went on to study performing arts at college, as he wanted to pursue a career on stage. Ben Bowman, said: “I was sat in college being told that the minimum wage for a dancer in the West End was £70 so I’m thinking, well, I can make more money by being Michael Jackson.” Ben Bowman had always danced like Michael Jackson when he was a child, and was often told by friends that he sounds like him. He started by performing his Michael Jackson tribute show in halls and at weddings and working for agencies. He now performs in large theatres and arenas with crowds of up to 30,000 people.
Michael Jackson fans are known to be emotional when seeing him perform live. They are often seen crying, screaming, and running onto the stage to be close to the late singer. Some fans have fainted at his shows from the excitement of seeing him, and they were carried off by security. The hysteria created by Michael Jackson has not been replicated by any other musician to that extent. Ben Bowman has experienced similar reactions whilst performing his show. Ben Bowman, said: “People that run up to you at the meet and greets crying and saying, ‘oh my god it was just like watching him’ that’s amazing for me. That’s exactly what I want to create.”
Ben Bowman performing on stage (Image: James Baker Productions)
This performance at the Brighton Centre is part of a UK-wide tour for the ‘Michael Starring Ben’ production. It will be performed in other cities including Liverpool, Leeds, and Birmingham. This production tours all throughout the year, and they perform a few days a week every week. This is the first time that this show is being performed in Brighton. This tribute show is based on Michael Jackson’s three world tours Dangerous, History, and Bad. They have used elements of Michael Jackson’s London O2 arena residency which was set to occur in 2009, before it was cancelled.
Tickets for ‘Michael Starring Ben’ cost £28.50, and they can be purchased from the Brighton Centre’s website.
To find out more visit https://brightoncentre.co.uk/whats-on/2023/michael-starring-ben/.