F Laughing Horse at the Brighton Fringe - 2024: Perfvenue

The Walrus

The Walrus (Fringe Venue 259)

10 Ship Street. Phone: 01273 025 749

 Bar Food WiFi AirCon Children until 6pm, 18+ Only After this

In central Brighton, a stone’s throw from the beach and on historic Ship Street in Brighton’s famous Lanes, you’ll find the Walrus with its labyrinth of eclectically-decorated rooms and endless winding passageways. You’ll also discover a wonderful hidden two-story roof garden, restaurant and spacious bar. There are also a two performance spaces for Fringe shows. The large "Basement Room" located downstairs, and the more intimate "Raised Room", located to the rear of the ground floor bar - both hosting Fringe shows all day and night at weekends, and in the evenings during the week.


The Venue

The Walrus is located very centrally in Brighton's Lanes, and is a few seconds walk from the beach. It's a large bar spread out over a number of floors and rooms and features a main bar, first floor restaurant, basement nightclub and two-floor rooftop beer garden. It's nearby to everything, a number of  otherFringe venues large and small, and the area of Brighton traditionally used for the Fringe Box Office and outdoor Fringe performances.

There are two performance spaces for Fringe shows. The large "Basement Room" located downstairs, and the more intimate "Raised Room", located to the rear of the ground floor bar - both hosting Fringe shows all day and night at weekends, and in the evenings during the week.


The Performance Space: The Basement Room

Located downstairs, the Basement room is a large room, with low ceiling and a lot of atmosphere for Fringe shows. There is a bar located at the back - this can be open or closed for people attending shows. The room is reached by internal stairs from the main bar, and the performance space is completely separate from the public areas of the bar.

  • Stage: 375cm x 250cm raised to 10cm. Ceiling height 224cm. Can remove front row of seating for more space on flat floor (this would reduce capacity).  
  • Backstage: Yes, there is backstage space to left and right of the stage. can be curtained of by performer as the stage is quite deep.
  • Capacity: 110 - Mix of booth seating, theatre style rows and high tables and stools at the back.
  • Lighting: Basic Stage lighting to Flood the stage.
  • Blackout: Possible with room and spots turned off. There are fire exit and safety signs that need to stay illuminated.   
  • PA System: In House PA system. Large mixer at Sound Position with multicore to stage. 3 Cable Mics, Mic Stands and small audio jack to plug in MP3 Player provided.
  • AV: None available - the room is suitable for you to bring your own projector and screen. There is one that can be borrowed from the owner of the venue if available.
  • Storage: There is a very small area for equipment at the venue for props and equipment, shared with other groups.
  • Green Room/Performers Area: No
  • Bar: There is a bar in the room, this can be opened or closed for show audiences. This is separate from the venues main bar.
  • Accessibility: This performance space is not wheelchair accessible as it is down a full flight of stairs. 

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The Performance Space: Raised Room

Located to the rear of the ground floor the Raised room is a smaller room ideal for solo shows, it is located up a short flight of 5 steps and is separated from the passageway by a thick curtain.

  • Stage: 3m x 1.5m flat on floor.
  • Backstage: No
  • Capacity: 60 - Rows of seating and some small tables
  • Lighting: Basic Stage lighting to Flood the stage.
  • Blackout: Not possible.
  • PA System: PA system. Mixer at Sound Position with cables to stage. 3 Cable Mics, Mic Stands and small audio jack to plug in MP3 Player provided.
  • AV: None available - the room is suitable for you to bring your own projector and screen.
  • Storage: There is a very small area for equipment at the venue for props and equipment, shared with other groups.
  • Green Room/Performers Area: No
  • Bar: There is no bar in the room, the nearest bar is along a passageway and into the main bar area of the venue.
  • Accessibility: This performance space is not wheelchair accessible as it up a short flight of 5 steps. 

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The Basement Room stage, with seating set for social distancing in 2021

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The Basement Room space, with seating and booths removed - from left of stage.

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The basement room, looking at stage area outside of the Fringe and unrigged

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Fringe Audience in the Basement Room

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The Raised Room - venue outside of Fringe and not in rigged state - looking towards stage area, which will be where the fixed seatings is

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The Raised Room - venue outside of Fringe and not in rigged state - looking towards rear of room