Food, Days Out and Travel stories from Brighton, London and the Rest of the World

Sunday

New Fringe Venue The Blue Man - eat tagine and be entertained

~ The Blue Man restaurant, Brighton ~

The Blue Man is a North African restaurant in Brighton that has been around for about ten years.  Having (relatively) recently relocated to Queens Road by the clock tower, it is now situated in the most central location you can get.  This year it will be a Fringe venue for the first time and they are plunging right in with a programme that covers music, theatre, cabaret and lots of comedy.  Intrigued to check out their menu, I also wanted to find out more about it as a Fringe venue and which shows will be performing there.


The Blue Man platter

Booked in for dinner with my Cardiff fella we arrived at the beautifully carved wooden door of The Blue Man last Sunday at 7 o'clock.

Seated upstairs we ordered a platter and lamb tagine so that we could try a range of dishes.  The platter arrived piled high with salad, lamb sausages, halloumi and dips, which looked unbelievably tempting.  As I dipped in I realised the salad was an exotic mix of grated carrot, pomegranate and rose water that combined a satisfying crunch with delicate flavours.  The other winner for me was halloumi served with grilled apple and glazed in honey that disappeared without me stopping for breath.

Full up from the munch the lovely people at The Blue Man had reserved us a table downstairs to check out their Sunday Open Mic.  Listening to around five different musicians we heard a diverse selection of original humourous songs, deeply moving blues and hand clapping 90's influenced rock.  Already a regular fixture, this Open Mic is attracting some great talent and is definitely worth going to.  The venue itself has an intimate, warm and welcoming vibe and is the kind of venue that will be perfect for some Fringe action.

Bottom of spiral staircase


Expected to be their most popular offering The Shakespeare Heptet Fringe Show will be playing folk / blues style music set to the Bard's sonnets.  That's New Wave, Fence Post Blues with percussive soundscapes, three part harmonies, bass, and a 12-string guitar.  With only two dates it's likely to be busy 16-17 May 20:30 £5 (£3) [2hrs].  Other interesting offerings include a funny feminist, a thin fat guy and a play about the Dutch spy and femme fatale, Mata Hari.

Muffragette
Muffragette @marybourkecomic
It's a show about feminism without all the boring preachy bits and it's also very funny too.
"One of the best female acts in the country" (GQ)
"Savage and Lyric" (New Statesman)
"An hour packed with fine routines and beautifully written gags" (The Scotsman) 3-4, 10-11, 18, 25 May 20:30 26 May 20:00 £5 [1hr30mins]

Matt Dwyer
Matt Dwyer: Thick and Thin @comedymattdwyer
Matt Dwyer has experienced both sides of the fat-coin. Previously weighing in at over 26 stone (165kg) he is now, quite literally, half the man he used to be after losing around 13 stone (85kg).
In this funny and honest show, he explores the changing nature of his identity and the differences between being a plus-sized freak and a 'normal' person.
A must-see for anyone who has ever considered losing weight!
Matt Dwyer: Thick and Thin
7, 14, 21, 28-29 May 20:45 Free, ticketed [45mins]


Aletia Upstairs
Mata Hari @AletiaUpstairs
“I’ll know how to die.” As Dutch spy and femme fatale, Mata Hari, is awaiting death by firing squad, she reflects on her life.  Based on verbatim letters and interviews, this illumination of a legendary woman is interspersed with songs and dance by South African, London-based cabaret performer Aletia Upstairs. Directed by Dean Stalham.  "This is one of those little Edinburgh Fringe gems… Upstairs is joyful, sulky, sexy and seductive as Mata Hari. Do go and see this if you can." ***** (ScotsGay)
8 May 20:45 10-12 May 21:45 £6 (£5) [1hr]





Twitter @bluemanbrighton
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bluemanbrighton.com

8 Queen’s Road BN1 3WA  Tel:  01273 726 003
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The Blue Man lamb tagine and platter
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