The 2012 Brighton Festival is being held from 5-27 of May in the lovely, seaside city. The guest director for the year is Vanessa Redgrave, a world-renowned, Oscar-winning actress and resident of Britain. The festival celebrates different forms of the arts through forays into subject matters such as music, dance, theatre, visual art, and film. There are talks scheduled about these various subjects as well as performances, film screenings, and circus activities. Many of the events are free to the public and include activities for all ages.
The Festival has contemporary music events each year for people to attend which has included live acts such as Bon Iver, Reggie Watts, and DJ Cale in recent years. The Festival has introduced a new event for 2012 called "The Morning After," which takes place the morning after a live concert or performance. This series features a talk by a member of the artist's production or creative team. They will speak about what it takes to set up such a large event, the creative process, and more.
The Brighton Festival will also include visual art set up throughout the city and Festival grounds, as well as film screenings in different locations throughout the city. Dance has included such amazing acts as the National Ballet of China, as well as many more contemporary solo and group dance projects.
Outdoor events are happening non-stop this year, from picnics to many different parades. Parades travel throughout the city of Brighton so locals and visitors have a chance to catch the arts on parade during this time of year. The "Books and Debate" program invites festival attendees to listen to debates held by interesting and influential authors and figures about subjects relating to the main theme of the Festival.
Performances from theatre companies from around the world will take place during the Festival. One of the plays premiering at the Festival is "The Rest is Silence," a deconstructed version of Shakespeare's Hamlet. This will be performed in a circle venue so that the play can be viewed from all sides during the production. Other companies performing include Shakespeare's Globe and dreamthinkspeak from Brighton. Classical music is another part of the Festival that should not be missed. There will be lunchtime concerts, orchestra events, an afternoon recital at the Glyndebourne Opera House, and many other special features.
Children can enjoy a four-day festival just for them that features many activities. There is drawing, story telling sessions, and many children's book events. Children are welcome at most other events in the festival as well. So whether you live local or staying in one of the many
Brighton hotels this event is not to be missed!
