The Rotunda Theatre, the blue geodesic dome venue in Regency Square, will not be part of Brighton Fringe 2027. Brighton Fringe says the Rotunda is not a registered or accredited venue for 2027 and there are no plans for it to be. The venue’s operator, Grist To The Mill, told Sussex News it would consider legal action.
Brighton Fringe is a regular fixture in the city’s What’s On calendar, and the decision affects the independent theatre companies who use the domes.
How it unfolded
September 2026. Brighton Fringe says the Rotunda Theatre was formally notified that it would not be invited to return as a venue.
16 October. Brighton Fringe publishes a statement saying the Rotunda is currently listing Brighton Fringe 2027 as a destination for its pop-up venue and is not a registered or authorised venue.
19 October. Brighton Fringe publishes a further statement on venue accreditation for 2027. Sussex News reports the story the same day and updates it on 21 October.
What Brighton Fringe says
The festival’s statement of 19 October says the venue will not be part of the 2027 festival, and that there is “no Venue Managers Agreement or commercial contract” between Brighton Fringe and the Rotunda “to contravene”.
“Rotunda Theatre is not a registered or accredited Brighton Fringe venue for 2027, nor are there any plans for it to be.”
Brighton Fringe, statement of 19 October 2026
An earlier statement on 16 October says Brighton Fringe “operates a formal venue registration process”. The festival says the process protects artists’ fair treatment, investment and wellbeing, and audiences’ safety and access. Both statements are on the festival’s venues page.
What the Rotunda says
Sussex News reports that the Rotunda has been in Regency Square for five years and offers three performance spaces for independent theatre companies and performers. It is run by Grist To The Mill, whose shows have included The Ballad Of Mulan, The Unknown Soldier and The Fox, The Slipper and The Severed Head.
According to the report, the shows Grist To The Mill registered for 2027 were also rejected. The company said it did not understand the reasons for the decisions and could not get a satisfactory explanation. It said it is concerned about the effect on the Rotunda’s business and on the companies and performers who use it.
It also said it would consider legal action against Brighton Fringe. Grist pointed out that The Actors theatre is also absent from 2027, which would leave four fewer theatre spaces next year.
What it means for shows and audiences
Brighton Fringe says shows booked outside its registered network cannot be included in its official printed brochure and would not get Brighton Fringe Artist Services support or pastoral care. It also says tickets for those events will not be available through the official Brighton Fringe Box Office.
Sussex News reports the festival also said performances at unregistered venues operate independently and will not appear in its brochure, website or central ticketing platform.
What happens next
Grist To The Mill told Sussex News it plans to carry on independently, with the Rotunda and its productions running outside the official programme, and that it has local support and a loyal audience. The Rotunda’s own website lists a Brighton run from 1 to 23 May 2027 at Preston Manor.
Brighton Fringe directs anyone with questions about a venue’s status to its Festival and Events Team. For the wider city arts calendar this season, see our guide to Brighton Dome Autumn 2026: What's On, Dates & Tickets.
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