A Glorious Homecoming
Entitled simply The Palace Pier Performers, the show and its surrounding project mark a significant cultural moment for Brighton and the wider UK coast. After decades in which end-of-the-pier variety shows vanished from our summer schedules—replaced by theme park rides and virtual experiences—this revival is being welcomed with open arms by both locals and visitors alike.
“Brighton Palace Pier has always been about fun, about making memories,” says Anne Ackord, CEO of Brighton Palace Pier. “This show takes that ethos and gives it a fresh, modern heartbeat. We’re proud to revisit our past and, at the same time, create something entirely new.”
For co-creator Allison Ferns, the project is not only a professional triumph but a deeply personal one. “My first ever proper job was on the Palace Pier selling seafood and Brighton rock,” she explains with a smile. “Now I’m coming full circle—not just back to the pier, but back to my performing roots. My very first show was in an end-of-the-pier production in Eastbourne. This feels like home.”
Jack Pallister agrees. “It’s a complete privilege to bring back seaside entertainment to one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks. There’s something timeless about variety—it’s joyous, unpredictable, and inclusive. Our goal is to make people laugh, cheer, and maybe even sing along.”
From Chaplin to the Spice Girls
To say the Palace Pier has history is to understate things dramatically. Since its grand opening in 1899, the pier has been the beating heart of Brighton’s tourist economy and social life. In its heyday, it hosted everything from orchestral concerts and comedy revues to appearances by cultural giants such as Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. Even the Spice Girls once took a spin down its timeworn planks.
While the performances may have dwindled over the decades, the appetite for accessible, family-friendly fun has never gone away. “We’ve seen a huge demand for live experiences that bring people together,” says Allison. “After everything we’ve all been through in recent years, audiences are crying out for joy—and what better place to deliver it than at the end of a pier?”
The show promises a riotous mix of song, dance, comedy, and cabaret—infused with a uniquely Brightonian spirit. Audiences can expect everything from slapstick sketches and show tunes to cheeky singalongs and even surprise guest appearances. With its early 20th-century inspiration and 21st-century inclusivity, this is entertainment that bridges the generations.
Call for Performers
In true variety tradition, the creative team is casting a wide net to find the stars of tomorrow. Auditions for The Palace Pier Performers will take place on Tuesday, 1st July, at Horatio’s—the pier’s in-house venue—and are open to performers aged 18 and over. The team is particularly keen to hear from triple-threat talents who can sing, dance, and act. But more than that, they are actively encouraging applicants from all walks of life.
“Inclusivity and representation are absolutely central to this project,” explains Jack. “We want the troupe to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Brighton itself. Whether you trained at RADA or perform at open mic nights down the pub, if you’ve got something to say and the confidence to say it with jazz hands—we want to hear from you.”
Interested performers are asked to email pierperformers@gmail.com to register their interest, with slots expected to fill fast. “We’re not just looking for polished professionals,” says Allison. “We’re looking for personalities. For people who will connect with an audience, make them laugh, and send them away with a spring in their step.”
A Community Reconnected
While the launch of the show is exciting in itself, its wider implications are even more profound. In an era when traditional arts venues are under increasing pressure and local artists struggle for stage time, the return of regular live performance to Brighton Palace Pier offers a vital new platform.
“We see this as the start of something bigger,” Anne Ackord explains. “Yes, it’s a show—but it’s also a movement. We want to reignite the idea that the British seaside can be a place for culture, not just candyfloss. We want schoolkids to come down for workshops. We want older audiences to feel welcome. We want Hen Parties and grandparents and everyone in between. This is Brighton—anything goes!”
The production will run throughout the summer and into the autumn, with the possibility of themed specials around Halloween and Christmas. As the show evolves, the team also hopes to work with local musicians, writers, and comedians to keep the programme fresh, funny, and reflective of Brighton’s creative pulse.
Nostalgia Meets Now
It’s no accident that this revival is happening now. As the UK reimagines its holiday habits post-pandemic and families look closer to home for summer fun, traditional destinations like Brighton are enjoying a renaissance of their own. With its inclusive message, affordable ticket prices, and central location, The Palace Pier Performers may well become the must-see show of the season.
“There’s something beautifully democratic about the pier,” says Allison. “You don’t need to book six months in advance. You don’t need a dinner jacket or a gold card. You just turn up, grab an ice cream, and take a seat.”
And that’s the magic, really. In a world of streaming, algorithms, and high-priced West End tickets, the idea of turning up on a sunny day and watching a live show with your family—within earshot of the waves—feels almost radical.
Jack puts it best: “We’re not trying to compete with Broadway or the West End. We’re offering something different. Something human. Something joyful. And we think the world needs more of that right now.”
Curtain Up!
Whether you’re a Brighton local, a day-tripper from London, or a tourist discovering the joys of the English seaside for the first time, this new show is set to offer something truly special. With its combination of nostalgia, community spirit, and knockout performances, The Palace Pier Performers is more than just entertainment—it’s a love letter to the coast.
So dig out your sunhat, take a stroll down the boards, and get ready to cheer. Because the show is back on. And it’s brighter than ever.
To audition for The Palace Pier Performers, email pierperformers@gmail.com
Auditions will be held on Tuesday, July 1st at Horatio’s, Brighton Palace Pier.
Follow @bbcsussex, @bbcsurrey, and @bbcradiokent for behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.
Let’s hear it for the seaside showbiz revival—and the team who dared to dream it back into being.