Fringe Festival 2012
Throughout May, Brighton really came to life with the Brighton Fringe Festival 2012. This wonderful annual festival covers all manner of events from small exhibitions to large-scale productions.
I attended many events, but still didn't manage to get to see as many as I would have liked. However, The Fringe organisers kindly invited me to photograph several events and I am pleased to say that my images have been used by both The Fringe and by the artists I photographed.
Photography Exhibition
The Brighton Photographers Group enjoy taking photographs together and held their first ever exhibition at a local Brighton café - FaB (Food and Barista). The theme was 'Perspectives of Brighton', which had been interpreted in many different ways. It was great to see the eclectic works actually in print, with each photographer's talent clearly on display - I can see this group going from strength to strength and I am very happy to be at the head of it.
Moscow State Circus
The Moscow State Circus brought its latest sensational extravaganza, Babushkin Sekret, to Preston Park for Brighton's public to enjoy. Inspired by 'The Legend of The Twelve Chairs', the new show took the audience on an incredible journey, showcasing the talent of the young performers and variety acts with a mammoth cast of Russia's greatest circus artistes.
Doug Segal - Mentalist
Last year’s sell-out hit returned, and again managed to sell out! If you wonder why, you simply have to witness one of Doug's shows. You'll walk away unable to explain what you've just seen and doubting your own eyes! Doug Segal's mind-reading show is unlike any other. Not only does he predict the lottery numbers, read minds, detect lies and much, much more, he also teaches the audience a trick, which in itself is worth the entry fee!
Hurly Burly - Birdy
This wonderful tented venue took pride of place next to St. Peter's Church. Inside the tent, a fizzing, dark fairytale from The Hurly Burly's resident theatre company took place, with live music and physical mayhem. The characters and energy really drove this performance to a new level, and the team were very engaging. Mechanical magic was supplied by Circus Kinetica.
Melody La Rouge
I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing 'Chicago' cabaret funny lady, Melody La Rouge. She sang a selection of hits from Kander & Ebb in her exhilarating tribute to Broadway's best - Liza Minnelli & Chita Rivera! "Oozing the showbiz glitz of the songs and the sexiness of cabaret ... well-sung set of much-loved standards by a charismatic performer." (Fest Magazine).
Hendrick's Library of Delightfully Peculiar Writings
On a hot summer's day under the shade of a huge red tent, Major Jack Union regaled us with tales as long as your arm. Whether bounding after Bandersnatch, flying after Air Kraken or staking out Vampires, Major Jack has seen it all, shot it all, and mounted it all on his wall. We listened to his tales over tea, as he enchanted and ensnared us with extracts from his guidebook 'How to Bag a Jabberwock'.
Divinely Bette
Divinely Bette brought the beloved songs and comedy of the brilliant Bette Midler to life in front of my eyes, highlighting the musical hits of Bette's career and celebrating the buxom comedienne’s trademark ballads, raucous humour, and upbeat comedy songs. Personally, I thought this show was well thought-out, flowed well and titillated the audience :)
Incidentally, I did attend several other shows and exhibitions, but I didn't always have my camera with me - I'm not a workaholic, ya know! I can highly recommend the Fringe Festival so if you didn't manage to catch it this year, well, there's always next year ;)