Key Sussex Brighton and Shoreham venues combine for major new children and family festival

Running from April 9-24, it brings together Komedia, Ropetackle, Brighton Open Air Theatre and The Old Market.

Spokeswoman Francesca Lynn said: “The incredible full programme has been announced for Back to Live, a unique children’s festival from four Sussex seaside venues - Komedia, Ropetackle, Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) and The Old Market (TOM).

“This special season of children’s events celebrates the return of live performance and includes the international phenomenon Stomp – which originated in Brighton back in 1991 – along with work from fantastic companies including The Minack Theatre, Theatre Fideri Fidera and Box Tale Soup.”

Events include: Stomp, Dig by Pied Piper Theatre Company, The Hug by Long Nose Puppets, The Bubble Show, Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron by Theatre Fideri Fidera, Short Stories Tall Tales: The Giraffe Who Wouldn’t Bath by Hannah Summers, The Kiss That Missed by The Minack Theatre, Kidz With Attitude – Hip Hop, Funk and Soul for Kidz and guardians, The Little Prince, Little Grimm Tales by Box Tale Soup, Great Grimm Tales by Box Tale Soup, First: Snoofilated by Spun Glass Theatre, Out Of The Deep Blue by Autin Dance Theatre and The Hogmoor Troll by 440 Theatre.

“Komedia are best known for comedy, present one of the largest, most diverse arts and entertainment programmes in the UK and have been programming children’s work since its inception in 1994.

“BOAT is Brighton and Hove’s premier outdoor venue – a 400-seat amphitheatre nestled in Dyke Road Park.

“Situated on the banks of the River Adur in Shoreham-by-Sea, the Ropetackle Arts Centre is a multi-award-winning, purpose-built venue that attracts some of the biggest stars in the UK and beyond.

“TOM has been hosting innovative family shows since opening in 2011; its festival-like programme is the cornerstone of its identity, hosting over 200 different events every year from the venue’s multi-format space.

“Back to Live brings together three groups who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic: young children who have never had the chance of experiencing live performance; performers whose tours have been cancelled and their new work not shown; and venues who have a mountain to climb to win back audiences.”

Founding director of Komedia, Colin Granger said: “After two years of lockdowns, closures, and the terrible consequences of a pandemic, we feel there has never been a better time to celebrate live performance and all the joy that it can bring. We are therefore delighted to be working with the charity Komedia Kids and our colleagues at the participating venues to take what we hope is a small step towards recovery.

“Back to Live will include a Pay It Forward campaign where audiences can buy an additional ticket or two which venues will then, in partnership with local charities, allocate as free tickets to families who might not usually be able to afford to come. This echoes the overall ethos of Komedia Kids which aims to create affordable and meaningful opportunities in the arts for children and young people.”

www.backtolive.org.uk

The Back to Live programme is follows:

Stomp

The Old Market

Tuesday 29th March – Sunday 1st May (no shows on Mondays), various times

The internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning phenomenon is coming ‘home’, returning to Brighton and Hove, the city where it all began! See the full-scale spectacle up close and personal like never before.

All ages

Dig by Pied Piper Theatre Company

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Saturday 9th April, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm

A gentle theatre experience for the very young, with music, rhythm and songs, bringing to life the world of growing plants, busy bugs, wriggling worms and ever-changing weather!

Ages 6 months – 2 years

The Hug by Long Nose Puppets

Komedia

Saturday 9th April, 11am (Doors 10.30am) and 2pm (Doors 1.30pm)

Based on the heart-warming and funny book The Hug by Eion McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar. Starring a Hedgehog and a Tortoise both in search of a restorative hug.

Ages 2 – 7

The Bubble Show

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Tuesday 12th April, 2pm

The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, and bubble art! Enjoy bubbles inside bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles and even fire bubbles!

Ages 3 – 12

Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron by Theatre Fideri Fidera

Komedia

Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th April, 2pm (Doors 1.30pm)

Inspired by Robin Hood and Sir Lancelot, our feisty heroine Will Tell goes on a madcap comic adventure to rescue her dad Wilhelm Tell from the Bad Baron Boris’s deepest darkest dungeon. Perfect family entertainment.

Ages 6+

Short Stories Tall Tales: The Giraffe Who Wouldn’t Bath by Hannah Summers

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Friday 15th April, 11.30am and 1.30pm

Short Stories brings stories to life through live performance and interactive, creative play. Join an adventure, explore through the senses and let your little ones’ imaginations run free.

Ages 1 month – 4 years

The Kiss That Missed by The Minack Theatre

Brighton Open Air Theatre

Friday 15th and Saturday 16th April, 2pm (doors 1pm)

The Little Prince’s goodnight kiss has escaped into the forest and the brave, fearless knight must bring it back… But is he fearless enough? This classic picture-book is a favourite bedtime story for boys and girls everywhere.

Ages 3+

Kidz With Attitude – Hip Hop, Funk and Soul for Kidz and guardians

Komedia

Saturday 16th April, doors 11am

This day-time club is for kidz and guardians to break out their best moves on the dancefloor. Expect DJs, dance-offs, a fully stocked bar, vinyl giveaways, soft play and face painting.