Plans for theatre in Adrian Bunting's memory

Friends of a former leading light of Brighton’s alternative comedy scene have vowed to make his dying wish come true, and build an outdoor theatre in the city.

Adrian Bunting died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 47 last weekend, and asked his friends to ensure his idea came to fruition.

He ran an alternative comedy and cabaret night in the city in the Nineties called Zincbar, which gave breaks to local performers such as Joanna Neary and George Egg, as well as taking shows Edinburgh.

He was also a playwright, and his political piece Kemble’s Riot won the ‘best theatre’ prize at the 2011 Brighton Festival and is due to play at New York Fringe later this year.

Egg told Chortle: ‘His pioneering character spearheaded a lot of the comedy and cabaret that's come from Brighton over the last 20 years.’

Bunting was diagnosed with cancer just four weeks before he died last Saturday, and comedians were among those paying tribute on his Facebook page.

Susan Murray wrote: ‘Your awesome soul will live on somewhere. How could it not? Will miss your uniqueness.’

And Jo Caulfield added: ‘A great guy, gone too soon. My love to all his family.’

Murray is compering a benefit gig at the Brighton Dome in his memory on June 16, featuring Mark Thomas, Stewart Lee, Tim Vine, Simon Evans and Joanna Neary. Tickets

The money raised will go towards his dream of creating a Brighton Open Air Theatre, for which he had already drawn up plans. A likely site is a former bowling green – and friends of Bunting said the council had been ‘ incredibly supportive’ towards the idea.

His funeral will take place next Friday, and mourners have been told to ‘dress to party’.

Published: 17 May 2013