Coronavirus lockdown claims 5,500 performances

This year’s Brighton Fringe will not be going ahead in May, organisers have announced.

The news comes just three weeks after the programme was announced featuring more than 5,500 performances in 170 venues across the city from May 1 to 31.

Organisers are now planning to run in September or October – a similar timescale to many other rescheduled events..

Brighton Fringe chief executive  Julian Caddy said: ‘On behalf of the thousands of people who have invested so much in putting on Brighton Fringe, I am devastated to say that we are unable to proceed in May due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

‘ I would like to thank you for all the work that you have done and also to thank all our funders, partners, sponsors, patrons, friends and the ticket buying public for your ongoing support, trust and patience at this difficult time.

’t is incredible to believe that a mere three weeks ago we launched our brochure and ticket sales for 1,035 events in 170 venues, with more than 5,500 performances due to take place across the city of Brighton & Hove. We were ready to welcome 160 international events from 32 countries with 50 international collaborations.  Over that time Covid-19 has grown from being a far-away news story to a pandemic affecting everyone, all over the world.  

‘But we won’t give up that easily.  After consulting with key stakeholders we are looking to reschedule Brighton Fringe to take place in September and October, when we have been advised that it will be again safe to proceed.  

‘We do not know yet what this Brighton Fringe will look like but we will now work with all our participants, venues and partners to make it the best it can be - for all involved.

‘We will be back and we can’t wait for you to be able to finally dive into the best Brighton Fringe that we can create, for all of us.  By September and October, I think we will definitely need and deserve it!’

Published: 18 Mar 2020