White Wall Cinema: Tender Mercies - Robert Duvall Tribute
2026-05-27 19:40 - 22:30 (Europe/London) | Wagner Hall
*** PLEASE NOTE DOORS OPEN AT 7.40PM SO YOU CAN ENJOY OUR BEER GARDEN PRIOR TO THE SCREENING***

Directed by multi–Academy Award, Palme d’Or, and Golden Globe–nominated filmmaker Bruce Beresford, and based on an original screenplay by Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Horton Foote, (who won Oscars both for this script and for his 1962 classic screen adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird) this understated and deeply affecting film stands as an elegantly simple triumph. It also marks the only time Robert Duvall won an Academy Award, taking home Best Actor at the 56th Oscars for this role.

The story is so compelling that it was, in essence, revisited in reverse with Crazy Heart, starring Jeff Bridges (who won an Oscar for his role, Duvall himself also appeared in the film). Where the 2009 film charts a descent into alcoholism, this earlier 1983 made tale offers a path toward redemption. Mac Sledge, a once-prominent country singer with a troubled past, awakens after a night of heavy drinking on the floor of a roadside motel and resolves to change his life. What unfolds is a gentle, reflective portrait of a man attempting to rebuild himself, forming a bond with a young widow and her son, reconnecting with his estranged daughter, and confronting the lingering echoes of his former fame.

Duvall’s deft, deeply felt performance transforms what could have been an overly sentimental narrative into a nuanced character study with lasting emotional resonance. The film’s authentic richly drawn characters, and natural chemistry of the cast, combined with a subtle touch of romance and a quietly inspirational, bittersweet tone, elevate this elegantly simple work. Powered by a superb, Oscar-winning screenplay, it remains a impressive testament to the strength of restrained storytelling and one of the finest achievements of Duvall’s remarkable career.

DOORS: 7.40pm*

START TIME: 8.30pm*

RUN TIME: 92 mins

CERT: PG (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).

*Please note – doors open at 7.40pm, Please try to allow extra time to get seated prior to the performance start time of 8.30pm. There will usually be no admittance from 20 minutes after the films stated start time. No hot food or alcohol from outside the premises is allowed. All alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises must be purchased from the bar as per the conditions of the venue’s licence

Tickets & More Info

Brighton Fringe: MAN!FEST: A Boy Band Fantasy
2026-05-28 17:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-29 17:30 - 21:00
A drag musical comedy about your new favourite boyband trying to survive their second world tour. Join Ash Trey, Cody Pendant, Ruben Cox, and Ewan May as they attempt to tackle the threat of female empowerment and the maturation of their tweenage fanbase, while meeting the demands of the all-powerful ‘Management’. .

MANIFEST tackles toxic masculinity and the corporate capitalisation of young women through over-produced pop songs and strictly regimented choreography.

Following their acclaimed debut at Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe with 60 Minutes of Mood Swings in 2023 and 2024 and their role on Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artist Development Programme in 2025, OnTheNose returns…

A funny, relatable comedy… but it also gut punches you when you’re not quite expecting it. Edinburgh Reviews, ★★★★★

SHOW 1: DOORS 5.30pm | PERF. 6.00pm SHOW 2: DOORS 7.30pm | PERF. 8.00pm

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

Brighton Fringe: Legends of Bubbleland
2026-05-30 11:00 - 12:30
From the creator of The Bubble Show® comes a dazzling new adventure full of bubble artistry and visual magic!

Journey through the awe-inspiring legends of Bubbleland, as they are brought to life in a breathtaking theatrical experience made of soap and water. Watch as the master of bubbles breathes life into: light, water, plants, animals, stars, and even the essence of human nature itself — in a celebration of creation!

This magical production is a feast for the senses, featuring fire effects, poetic puppetry, light-displays, majestic music, and brand-new bubble masterpieces never seen before. Whether you’re discovering bubble theatre for the first time or returning for more, this show promises a fresh and unforgettable delight for all ages.

Don’t miss this mesmerizing family spectacle that will leave you spellbound. Book your tickets today and enter an enchanted realm where dreams do come true — through the wonder and joy of bubbles!

The Bubble Show: flawlessly simple and full of wonder. Deadline News, ★★★★★

Engaging showmanship from bubble maestro the Highland Joker. The List, ★★★★

An Olympian feat- every bubble a wonder and delight, fast approaching utter perfection. Get Your Coats On, ★★★★★

DOORS 11.00am | SHOW 11.30am

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

Brighton Fringe: Vaxinated 2 - A Musical Booster
2026-05-30 19:00 - 22:00
Step into a world where glamour meets showtunes! Rubella Vaxine takes centre stage in a high-camp, high-octane drag extravaganza featuring iconic numbers from the great musicals. From belt-your-heart-out ballads to razzle-dazzle showstoppers, she spins Broadway classics into something delightfully queer, wickedly funny, and unmistakably Rubella.

Expect bold looks, big vocals, and even bigger personality as she brings your favourite musical moments to life with a twist. Whether you’re a theatre kid at heart or just here for the glitter, this show promises laughs, gasps, and a standing ovation you’ll feel in your soul.

Accompanied by the phenomenal talent of Izzy Owen on keys and maybe some surprise guests will also be popping in too. You will not want to miss this one-night only event at the Brighton Fringe!

Lights up. Wig secured. Let the overture begin.

Savagely funny – Fantastically silly. THE GUARDIAN (Alternative Perrier Nominees), ★★★★★

Brighton is rightly, very proud of this company. The Argus, ★★★★★

Bucket collection on the night supporting THE TERENCE HIGGINS TRUST.

DOORS 7.00pm | SHOW 7.30pm

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

Brighton Fringe: Legends of Bubbleland
2026-05-31 13:30 - 15:00
From the creator of The Bubble Show® comes a dazzling new adventure full of bubble artistry and visual magic!

Journey through the awe-inspiring legends of Bubbleland, as they are brought to life in a breathtaking theatrical experience made of soap and water. Watch as the master of bubbles breathes life into: light, water, plants, animals, stars, and even the essence of human nature itself — in a celebration of creation!

This magical production is a feast for the senses, featuring fire effects, poetic puppetry, light-displays, majestic music, and brand-new bubble masterpieces never seen before. Whether you’re discovering bubble theatre for the first time or returning for more, this show promises a fresh and unforgettable delight for all ages.

Don’t miss this mesmerizing family spectacle that will leave you spellbound. Book your tickets today and enter an enchanted realm where dreams do come true — through the wonder and joy of bubbles!

The Bubble Show: flawlessly simple and full of wonder. Deadline News, ★★★★★

Engaging showmanship from bubble maestro the Highland Joker. The List, ★★★★

An Olympian feat- every bubble a wonder and delight, fast approaching utter perfection. Get Your Coats On, ★★★★★

DOORS 1.30pm | SHOW 2.00pm

TICKETS / VENUE INFO / ACCESSIBILITY

White Wall Cinema: Lurker - New Release Special
2026-06-03 19:40 - 22:30
*** PLEASE NOTE DOORS OPEN AT 7.40PM SO YOU CAN ENJOY OUR BEER GARDEN PRIOR TO THE SCREENING***

Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival Lurker was named as one of Variety’s Top 10 Films of the Year, where well-known critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “Lurker has been made with the craft of early vintage Polanski crossed with an up-to-the-minute awareness of what pop culture has come to mean when the famous and their fans are now chasing each other’s tails.” Critically acclaimed across the board racking up a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the site’s critic’s consensus reads, “Devilishly examining the intersection of fame and obsession to thrilling effect, Alex Russell’s directorial debut delivers on all fronts.”

The story begins when Oliver (Archie Madekwe – Midsommar, Saltburn), a pop musician on the verge of stardom, visits a popular Los Angeles clothing store and bonds over shared musical taste with retail worker Matthew (Théodore Pellerin – On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Beau Is Afraid). Invited to a live show, Matthew seizes the opportunity to enter Oliver’s inner circle. But as Oliver’s fame accelerates and his entourage expands, featuring Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms), Zack Fox (Abbott Elementary), Daniel Zolghadri (Y2K), and Sunny Suljic (mid90s), Matthew must prove himself as more than just another admirer. As relationships strain and tensions mount, Matthew’s fixation deepens in parallel with Oliver’s rising profile, and proximity becomes a matter of life and death.

With its propulsive plotting, taut suspense, and incisive take on contemporary culture, Lurker unfolds as a cat-and-mouse thriller of escalating unease. A fresh, distinctly modern para-social story, it is also a fascinatingly universal tale that makes up the latest entry in continuum of movies including All About Eve, The King of Comedy, Misery, Single White Female, The Fan, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

DOORS: 7.40pm*

START TIME: 8.30pm*

RUN TIME: 101 mins

CERT: 15 (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

*Please note – doors open at 7.40pm, Please try to allow extra time to get seated prior to the performance start time of 8.30pm. There will usually be no admittance from 20 minutes after the films stated start time. No hot food or alcohol from outside the premises is allowed. All alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises must be purchased from the bar as per the conditions of the venue’s licence

Tickets & More Info

Brighton Astro: Can space-enabled technologies impact sustainability?
2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:30
DOORS: 7.00pm

LECTURE: 7.30pm

Register to Attend

Our speaker this month is Simon Kartar:

This question is usually asked and answered by technologists, entrepreneurs and investors. What would happen if instead we asked those we don’t usually hear from, including those on the front line of the polycrisis – would we learn different, more nuanced, more sustainable, lessons?

Simon Kartar works in the space sector, where he uses curiosity and insights from other disciplines to navigate complex climate justice, humanitarian and disaster risk reduction challenges.

If you sign up via meetup but can no longer attend, please update your status to say that you are no longer attending so that someone on the waiting list gets a place. Please only come along if you’ve signed up, as we’re limited on space so won’t be able to fit anyone else in.

Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically. Brighton Astro is inclusive and welcomes everybody.

White Wall Cinema: Summer Archive Sale
2026-06-06 12:00 - 18:00
A special weekend long event, we open the White Wall Cinema archive for a massive sell off of films from our collection, with over 1000 Blu-Ray and DVD bargains to choose from as well as a selection of film poster art. As ever, all profits go to upgrading White Wall Cinema!

Not only that but there is also our special soundtrack beer garden where you can grab a drink and take in the summer sun whilst enjoying a selection of songs hand picked from our favourite movie soundtracks.

DOORS: 12.00pm

CLOSED: 6pm

More Info

White Wall Cinema: Summer Archive Sale
2026-06-07 13:00 - 17:00
A special weekend long event, we open the White Wall Cinema archive for a massive sell off of films from our collection, with over 1000 Blu-Ray and DVD bargains to choose from as well as a selection of film poster art. As ever, all profits go to upgrading White Wall Cinema!

Not only that but there is also our special soundtrack beer garden where you can grab a drink and take in the summer sun whilst enjoying a selection of songs hand picked from our favourite movie soundtracks.

DOORS: 1.00pm

CLOSED: 5pm

More Info

Café Scientifique: Talking to strangers
2026-06-10 19:00 - 21:30
Prof Gillian Sandstrom

DOORS 7PM | SPEAKER 7.30PM

Please note that we are entirely dependent on donations from those who attend our events. You can make a donation as you arrive or leave; we are happy to accept cash or card payments. All donations greatly appreciated!

Please ensure you REGISTER prior to attending!

Gillian Sandstrom is an associate professor in the psychology of kindness at the University of Sussex and author of Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How ‘Small’ Talk Can Add Up To a Big Life. Her research has been featured in The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, and media outlets around the world. She has been interviewed for BBC Breakfast, Woman’s Hour, Claudia Hammond’s All in the Mind, and Guardian Science Weekly. She lives in Brighton.

In our daily lives, we can’t help but cross paths with strangers: riding in a lift, waiting at a bus stop, buying groceries. Most of the time, we hardly notice (and if we do, we carefully ignore each other).

Prof. Sandstrom has been studying these seemingly tiny, everyday moments for more than 15 years. She will share research about:– why talking to strangers can seem scary or difficult for many of us (it’s not just you!)– why it’s worth pushing past our fears and reaching out to people.

Prof. Sandstrom started doing this ‘me-search’ because she found that talking to strangers was enjoyable, valuable and meaningful – despite being shy and introverted herself. Through the stories of her own conversations with strangers, she will share practical tips that will help you give it a go yourself.

Register to Attend

White Wall Cinema: BLUE MOON - New Release Special
2026-06-16 19:30 - 22:30
*** PLEASE NOTE DOORS OPEN AT 7.30PM SO YOU CAN ENJOY OUR BEER GARDEN PRIOR TO THE SCREENING***

One of cinema’s most beloved filmmakers, Richard Linklater, the director of Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, School of Rock and Boyhood, returns with his latest and perhaps most deeply affecting work yet. Elegantly crafted and richly atmospheric, the film stars Ethan Hawke in what may be the finest performance of his career: a moving portrait of Lorenz Hart – brilliant, balding, witty, talented, queer, lonely, and quietly unraveling.

Set entirely over the course of a single after-show party, the film captures the painful moment Hart realises both his professional success and personal companionship are slipping away. As he trades stories and sharp observations with an obliging bartender (Bobby Cannavale – Boardwalk Empire), his latest infatuation Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley – The Substance), and his soon-to-be former writing partner Rodgers (Andrew Scott – All Of Us Strangers, Fleabag), a quietly devastating and unexpectedly funny story unfolds creating one of the most poignant films in recent memory.

Brimming with New York sophistication, bittersweet wit and graceful reflections on art, love and loneliness, this genuinely remarkable Oscar nominated screenplay is elevated by Hawke’s truly mesmerising Oscar nominated performance. Achingly funny, deeply humane and heartbreakingly sad, the film paints a luminous portrait of a virtuoso writer blessed with extraordinary charm yet haunted by profound insecurity and isolation. With immense empathy, Linklater brings to life a complex, melancholy and long-overlooked creative force, a man desperate to be loved, even as he remains convinced he is unlovable. Comes highly recommended as the most underappreciated Award season triumph of this year’s crop.

DOORS: 7.30pm*

START TIME: 8.20pm*

RUN TIME: 100 mins

CERT: 15 (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

*Please note – doors open at 7.30pm, Please try to allow extra time to get seated prior to the performance start time of 8.20pm. There will usually be no admittance from 20 minutes after the films stated start time. No hot food or alcohol from outside the premises is allowed. All alcoholic drinks consumed on the premises must be purchased from the bar as per the conditions of the venue’s licence

Tickets & More Info

AndAlso: A Summer Celebration Show
2026-06-26 19:00 - 22:30
This summer, for one night only, we’re taking over Wagner Hall and filling it with the improv we love.

AndAlso: A Summer Celebration Show is our chance to bring the whole community together — students, teachers, friends, and a few very special guests — for an evening of joyful, high-quality improvised performance. Let us do some make-em-ups for you.

What to expect:

A night of Brighton’s best improvisation, featuring:

The AndAlso Talent Development team ‘Arcadia‘

The AndAlso teachers

Special Guests

Plus a few surprises on the night

The AndAlso community continues to grow, with plenty more to come in 2026, so come and celebrate with us.

This is one of our biggest shows of the year, and it won’t be the same without you.

DOORS 7.00pm | SHOW 7.30pm

TICKETS

Space Jam: The (Unofficial Parody) Musical
2026-06-30 18:30 - 22:00
A LIVE-ACTION ANIMATED PARODY MUSICAL

The world premiere for the live action animated musical! Space Jam: The (Unofficial Parody) Musical is a non-profit fan project, following the adventures of basketball legend “Baikal Gordon” and his clumsy sidekick “Sam Cadullaque” as Baikal is enlisted to save the inhabitants of the cartoon world from a group of evil space aliens.

This full length musical features real life actors playing off of an almost entirely animated cast, all live on stage!

With a fully original score, all new animation built from the ground up, and top notch voice talent bringing the cartoon cast to life, take a trip back to 199​6 and experience a hilarious musical spoof of an all time classic complete with fresh twists and surprises…

Join us for a very special world first performance, complete with a costume contest with a £50 cash prize. More details on the costume contest available here:

TICKETS

DOORS 6.30pm | SHOW 7.00pm

Book and Lyrics by Luc Ashton Tucker | Music and Lyrics by Ellis Ashton Tucker

Full Content Warnings Available at: https://www.riverkite.co.uk/space-jam-the-parody-musical

Entry requirements: 18+ (or 13+ with adult supervision at all times).

Space Jam: The (Unofficial Parody) Musical Relaxed performance
2026-07-01 13:30 - 17:30
A LIVE-ACTION ANIMATED PARODY MUSICAL

Space Jam: The (Unofficial Parody) Musical is a non-profit fan project, following the adventures of basketball legend “Baikal Gordon” and his clumsy sidekick “Sam Cadullaque” as Baikal is enlisted to save the inhabitants of the cartoon world from a group of evil space aliens.

This full length musical features real life actors playing off of an almost entirely animated cast, all live on stage!

With a fully original score, all new animation built from the ground up, and top notch voice talent bringing the cartoon cast to life, take a trip back to 199​6 and experience a hilarious musical spoof of an all time classic complete with fresh twists and surprises…

This is a relaxed performance, which features additional accessibility changes to the show. House lights will be left on, and there will be significant alterations to the sound design and visuals. Please find a full document containing all of the accessibility changes here:

TICKETS

DOORS 1.30pm-5.30pm

Book and Lyrics by Luc Ashton Tucker | Music and Lyrics by Ellis Ashton Tucker

Full Content Warnings Available at: https://www.riverkite.co.uk/space-jam-the-parody-musical

Entry requirements: 18+ (or 13+ with adult supervision at all times)

Space Jam: The (Unofficial Parody) Musical
2026-07-01 19:00 - 22:00
A LIVE-ACTION ANIMATED PARODY MUSICAL

Space Jam: The (Unofficial Parody) Musical is a non-profit fan project, following the adventures of basketball legend “Baikal Gordon” and his clumsy sidekick “Sam Cadullaque” as Baikal is enlisted to save the inhabitants of the cartoon world from a group of evil space aliens.

This full length musical features real life actors playing off of an almost entirely animated cast, all live on stage!

With a fully original score, all new animation built from the ground up, and top notch voice talent bringing the cartoon cast to life, take a trip back to 199​6 and experience a hilarious musical spoof of an all time classic complete with fresh twists and surprises…

TICKETS

DOORS 7.00pm | SHOW 7.30pm

Book and Lyrics by Luc Ashton Tucker | Music and Lyrics by Ellis Ashton Tucker

Full Content Warnings Available at: https://www.riverkite.co.uk/space-jam-the-parody-musical

The recommended age for this show is 15+, and attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times

Brighton Astro: The Dark Universe
2026-07-02 19:00 - 21:30
DOORS: 7.00pm

LECTURE: 7.30pm

Register to Attend

Our speaker this month is Dr David Bacon from the University of Portsmouth.

The Universe is a most peculiar place, apparently full of several ‘materials’ which we cannot directly see: dark matter and dark energy. In this talk, David will describe the current cosmological observations that have led to this conclusion, and discuss the increasingly baffling behaviour of this dark sector of the Universe.

David Bacon is Director of the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth. He is a cosmologist who operates at the interface between observations and theories, particularly interested in dark energy, gravitational lensing, the clustering of galaxies, and tests of the theory of gravity.

David carried out his doctoral research at the University of Cambridge, then moved to the University of Edinburgh as a Research Fellow. He continued his career as a Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth, where he has happily spent the last 20 years on research, teaching, and eventually leadership.

If you sign up via meetup but can no longer attend, please update your status to say that you are no longer attending so that someone on the waiting list gets a place. Please only come along if you’ve signed up, as we’re limited on space so won’t be able to fit anyone else in.

Attendance is free, but we would be grateful if those of you who are able to could donate a few pounds to help cover the cost of hiring this event space. We will have a card reader and a money box you can drop your donations in on the night. We also have a bank account you can donate to electronically. Brighton Astro is inclusive and welcomes everybody.
