Brighton Festival to return after losing nearly two-thirds of income to coronavirus

Friday, 29 May 2020 14:53

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Brighton Festival: preparing for 2021 (photo: Brighton Festival)

Organisers of the Brighton Festival said they're preparing for the 2021 event after losing "almost 65%" of their income following this year's cancellation because of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to leading staff, they're looking forward to retaining the same guest director as this year, the poet and author Lemn Sissay.

They claimed it's grown, over more than half-a-century, to become the "largest and most established annual multi-arts festival in England", and involves music, theatre, dance, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and community events.

This year, to replace performances and workshops taking place in public venues, festival bosses put together a digital, on-line programme during the lockdown.

The "Brighton Festival At Home" featured a selection of artistes and events drawn from shows already booked.

Festival leaders said it attracted audiences from across the world, including Sussex schoolchildren and their families who took part in their own children's parade at home — ordinarily, a popular street event.

Chief Executive Andrew Combden praised ticket-holders who allowed the festival to turn the price of their tickets into donations:

"The public's support, through donating back ticket purchases, making a voluntary donation or accepting a credit voucher, shows the level of affection for Brighton Festival.

"There has been a huge gap in the city's cultural life this year and we want to deliver a Festival that is stronger than ever but is also responsive to how arts events will need to adapt to make audiences feel safe."

The 2020 Brighton Festival was the first to be cancelled in the event's 53-year history.

In recent years, organisers said it's brought more than 150,000 visitors to the city for its three weeks of events each May.

The 2021 dates will be May 1 – 23.