One Man, Two Guvnors at Theatre Royal Brighton

It's a few years now since the Theatre Royal Brighton made the brave move away from the traditional Christmas pantomime. I've never really been a fan of panto so I was delighted that the Theatre Royal was offering an alternative. Initially they chose to host musicals but this year's big show is One Man, Two Guvnors and as the smash-hit comedy is set in Brighton it seems only fitting that it comes home for Christmas.

Gavin Spokes (Francis Hensall) OneMan2Guvs, NT by Johan Persson

This was another example of a play I had intended to go and see when it was on in London but never quite got round to it so I was thrilled to finally get the chance to see it. Of course there is always a slight sense of trepidation when going to see something that has been so popular for so long - can it really live up to all the hype? And I'll be honest during the opening scene I was starting to wonder what the fuss was about but once the focus shifted to Francis Henshall the laughs really started. There are moments of pure slapstick, the timing of which was perfect. There's also some audience participation and while Francis was cheeky, there was no hint of malice. During last night's performance there was an added bit of audience participation which could have really thrown some actors but Gavin Spokes (Francis Henshall) rolled with it and made it so funny. Although kudos to the audience member for perhaps the most Brighton heckle ever - hummus sandwich!

It's not all slapstick though, there are some fabulous one liners and even a bit of satire. But the big laughs are drawn from the farcical moments of misunderstandings and mistaken identities. This is really Francis Henshall's show but I did also love Alan Dingle the ridiculously hammy actor. I should also mention The Crazes, the 1960s live band who helped to liven up the potentially tiresome scene changes.

While this isn't a traditional Christmas show, it is a festive treat. Tickets are selling fast for the three-week run so if you want to see it, get in quick! See the Theatre Royal website for details and to book.

Charlotte

#LoveBrightonPTP - Pass the Parcel competition

This year we decided that we really ought to get into the festive spirit a bit more so on Monday we launched a Christmas competition - don't worry though as there is still plenty of time to get involved!

Each weekday we will post a festive image and we would like our followers and fans to share the image as a sort-of modern day Pass the Parcel. And that is all you have to do! The following day we will then select a winner out of all of the people who have retweeted, regrammed or shared the image using #LoveBrightonPTP. It's that easy.

Here is the list of amazing prizes that are up for grabs:

• A luxury stay for two at drakes hotel
• *Free silver bike service and breakfast while you wait at Velo Cafe
• Hot stone massage for two at the Treatment Rooms
• Overnight stay for two at boutique Blanch House
• *Children's Book Bundle courtesy of The Book Nook
• *Family ticket to see Sleeping Beauty at Emporium
• 3 hour introduction to sea kayaking with BK Kayaking
• £50 voucher for Creased Cards
• Festive baking gift pack from Purple Heart
• Lunch for two, including a bottle of wine, at Curry Leaf Cafe
• Pampering spa day for two at The Sp@ The Grand
• *Overnight stay with breakfast at Gulliver's

Of course as we are now on Day 5 of the competition some of the above prizes have already been won (the ones marked with a *) but as you can see there are still lots of great ones in the pot!  

 

Each weekday at midday we will post a photo on Twitter and Instagram and for a chance to win all you have to do is retweet / regram or share using #LoveBrightonPTP.

 

 

 

Normally you will only have until the end of the day to enter but as it's Friday you have all weekend to take part so once you've done it make sure you get your family & friends to enter too, on the condition they share the prize with you obviously!#

 

For full competition details go to: bit.ly/LoveBrightonPTP

Good luck!

Charlotte

 

VisitBrighton Greeters and City Champions

At VisitBrighton we are fortunate enough to have a fantastic group of volunteers working with us either as Greeters or as City Champions.

Any visitor to the city can book a Greet, it's a free service and a great way to get under the skin of the city. Greets typically last one and a half to two hours and whether you think you know Brighton or not you are bound to discover something new. I've been on a couple and even though I grew up here and now work for VisitBrighton I still learnt a lot!

The City Champions are here to welcome visitors as they arrive and answer any on-the-spot questions. Most weekends City Champions will be at Brighton Station and/or Pavilion Gardens handing out maps and Rough Guides (all free!) and ready to answer any questions. They are easy to spot in their resplendent blue and orange uniforms.

I have always really admired anyone who works voluntarily and it just shows how much these people love their city, the fact that they give up their free-time to ensure our visitors receive a friendly welcome and get a chance to see all the city has to offer.

So as a thank you for all their hard work our lovely visitor services manager Suzanne, arranged a reception in the Mayor's Parlour where the volunteers got to meet the Mayor as well as being given an exclusive tour of the Council Chambers. At the event Sue announced that this year there have been over 175 Greets and the City Champions have welcomed over 9,000 people! So again a big thank you to all our volunteers from everyone at VisitBrighton.

Photo credit: Stephen Lawrence / Snap It Now

You can book a Greet at www.visitbrighton.com/greeters and when you arrive look out for the blue & orange uniforms of the City Champions. If you live here and would like to share your enthusiasm for Brighton & Hove with visitors then why not apply to be a City Champion?

Charlotte