(Brighton &) Hove Grown Festival Returns for Another Season

Following a successful launch in 2016 that saw over 1,000 people attend 29 shows, (Brighton &) Hove Grown is back for 2017, and has "grown" even more!

(Brighton &) Hove Grown takes place between 24th March and 2nd April 2017. Featuring 59 performances of 37 shows over 10 days across 4 venues - and every performance is either written by, or stars, local talent.

Guy Wah, founder of ZLS Theatre and co-founder of Hove Grown, explained "After a successful first year we were keen to make this year bigger and better, so we're really pleased with the variety of shows on offer in 2017. We're delighted to yet again be able to provide a platform for talented new writers and performers in the local area."

The Sweet Dukebox, Artista, The Purple Playhouse and The Claremont will host a broad range of performance styles, ranging from one-person comedy shows to all-singing, all-dancing theatrical performances, vibrant spoken word, and deliciously different cabaret. There is something in (Brighton &) Hove Grown for everyone; even a specific category for family-friendly shows. All tickets for (Brighton &) Hove Grown shows are under £10, with some shows just £5.

Sarah Johnson, Assistant Venue Manager for Sweet Venues, and co-founder of the festival, says "In support of our continuing mission to shine a spotlight on venues specifically in the Hove area, we are not only delighted to have the Sweet Dukebox and Artista return, but are absolutely thrilled to welcome The Purple Playhouse and The Claremont as first time festival destinations. These venues in the heart of Hove work tirelessly year-round to bring the City a diverse range of performance and artistic endeavour, and we're delighted to be able to support them in raising their profile within the local community."

One key criteria for entry to the festival is that shows are less than two years old. Many shows are receiving their first outings, and others have been re-worked for the festival.

Rachel Shorer will be presenting 10 Mistakes Every Girl Makes in Her Twenties at the Sweet Dukebox. This will be the first public performance of her completed spoken word show exploring the pitfalls of becoming an adult in the social media age.

At the Purple Playhouse, Rose Collis presents The Trials of Colonel Barker, an adaptation of her critically-acclaimed book Colonel Barker's Monstrous Regime. The play explores some of the most dramatic events in the extraordinary and complex life of Valerie Arkell-Smith aka 'Colonel Sir Victor Barker DSO', who veered from tragedy to farce, from fame to obscurity, but always strove to remain 'a perfect gentleman'.

Comedian Jane Postlethwaite is debuting her latest work in progress - The House - a series of character monologues - at Artista. It will feature characters from her sell-out show Made In Cumbria, as well as a range of new characters.

Magician and comedian David Terrence will be reading minds at The Claremont in Fried Mind Show, which will also be heading to Brighton Fringe in May.

Alongside all those shows, there'll be more theatre, comedy, spoken word, and family-friendly shows. Brochures are starting to hit the streets now, so be sure to pick one up to see details of the full range of events.

JD Henshaw, Artistic Director of Sweet Venues, is also pleased with the festival's progress: "I am delighted to be able to support Hove Grown in 2017. As we enter our second year, I cannot help but look back on 2016 - at the fantastic success our performers and their work found in the festival - I consider that and marvel at what excitement we have in store this year. More shows on offer, new venues to explore... the 2017 festival will truly let Hove Grown bloom along with those early spring days!"

(Brighton &) Hove Grown will be hosting a launch party at the Sweet Dukebox on Thursday 23rd March from 7.30pm. All are welcome.

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