Get out the picnic blanket and the bottle of sparkling wine, the BOAT has announced its new season of shows. Running from the 21st April 2023 to the 17th September it looks like another sparkling selection of shows.

“Something for everyone” is a rather overused phrase but in this case there usually is something for everyone. There is theatre, stand up comedy, music, poetry, drag and even a bit of wrestling. Shows for kids, shows for families and shows for grown ups.

The blurb says

We kick off with a bang in April with fabulous music from Joe Stilgoe, weekend family shows, and even some bank holiday wrestling action! In May we have our usual eclectic mix of Brighton Fringe shows, including cabaret, circus, ballet, improvisation and poetry. In June, our Summer Comedy Festival returns for the third time, featuring some of the biggest names in stand up comedy. Other highlights include David Walliams’ Bad Dad in half term, Duke’s Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night, and Identity Theatre’s Under Milk Wood.
 
July sees Horrible Histories return with Barmy Britain, a production of Macbeth from National Production Company, BOAT favourites Sarah Mann Company’s large-scale production of Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III, and IK Productions start the summer holidays with a bang with their new version of Hercules.
 
Soak up the August sun with performances from our Patron Simon Evans, a Pride weekend full of Drag, Changeling Theatre presenting two shows in rep, Illyria’s large-scale Peter Pan, and local legends Brighton Little Theatre’s ambitious production of Shakespeare in Love.
 
There’s no slowing down in September, with TIMT’s Much Ado About Nothing, loads of music, and Show and Tell closing out the season in style with a full week of comedy with Stand-Up Under The Stars.

Personal hilights would include

The Madness of George III by the Sarah Mann Company. They did Alan Bennetts “Lady in the Van” a few years ago and it was amazing. Much better than the film.

Summer Comedy Festival is a week of shows featuring all your favourite locals (Stephen, Simon, Suzi, Angela, Zoe and Mark) along with a few big names down from London.

Music includes Joe (son of Richard) Stilgoe and a bunch of the best cover bands this side of Eastbourne Bandstand. Eagles, Pink Floyd, Mods & Rockers, Soul and R&B. And not forgetting the Brighton Beach Boys.

Wrestling is a newish addition to the line up. Expect a very family friendly show. The only real jeopardy being a leap off the top ropes onto a really solid concrete floor.