Good morning, Brighton. An action packed second half to the week here in town with The Great Escape returning for the 20th anniversary celebration showcasing more than 450 upcoming artists from across the globe in 30+ venues.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

- Phil Reynolds

🚽 Trainspotting The Musical, adapted by Irvine Welsh from his cult novel and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, hits the Edinburgh Playhouse from 19 October before a major UK tour, landing at Brighton Dome from 8–13 March. Thirty years after the era-defining 1996 film, the story’s drug-fuelled, working-class anti-heroes – Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy and Kelly – return to the stage with a predominantly Scottish cast led by Robbie Scott as Renton. Watch original Trainspotting Trailer

The show mixes new songs (by Stephen McGuinness and Welsh) with iconic tracks from the film, using the original’s dark humour and raw energy to explore today’s quieter addictions – from screens to consumerism – and a growing sense of powerlessness under extreme wealth and political inequality. This isn’t a nostalgic reboot but a gritty, loud, and unexpectedly big-hearted look at how little the hunger for escape has really changed. Tickets selling fast - More Info & Booking

🥕 B&H is one of five areas in England chosen for a new government pilot to improve food in schools, hospitals and other public services. The city will receive £155,000 to overhaul how food is bought, aiming for healthier, fresher, more local and environmentally friendly meals, while creating more opportunities for small local growers and producers.

The scheme is part of a national effort to use the huge buying power of public bodies to raise meal standards and support local farmers and food businesses. Brighton & Hove’s Gold Sustainable Food Places award and the long-standing work of the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership were key reasons for its selection, with the government keen to build on the city’s collaborative model. Councillor Mitchie Alexander called the pilot a “vote of confidence” and said it will help ensure everyone can access healthier, local food choices. Read full press release from DEFRA.

🎶 The Great Escape, Brighton’s beloved new music festival, turns 20 in 2026, running today until saturday. Spread across more than 35 walkable venues – from Brighton Dome to basement bars, converted churches and a beach pop-up on Madeira Drive – it’s all about musical discovery. And it’s on our door step!

Over 450 emerging artists from around the world play in intimate spaces. Wristband access lets you wander between gigs and stumble on future headliners. Described as “the Cannes of the music world,” the festival is deliberately decentralised and also hosts a major music industry conference, drawing 4,000+ professionals and cementing Brighton’s status as a global music hub each May. If you can find a few hours over the next 4 days, why not listen to some new music by the beach. Full line-up and schedule.

🌦️ | 📈 15° | 📉 5° | ☔️ 70% | 🌬️ W 14mph | 🌊 3-4ft

🌦️ | 📈 14° | 📉 5° | ☔️ 50% | 🌬️ NW 8mph | 🌊 1-2ft

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Cinema’s aren’t going to fill themselves. Break a habit of a lifetime, turn off Netflix, get off the sofa and potter down to your local Picturehouse.

Duke of York’s Picturehouse - Book

The Sheep Detectives | Top Gun (40th Anniversary) | Tours of the Duke of York’s | National Theatre Live: The Audience (2026 Encore)

Dukes at Komedia - Book

Project Hail Mary | Devil Wears Prada 2 | Our Land | Michael | Normal & Ben Wheatley Q&A | Superworm | Hokum

🎭 There’s not a snowball’s chance we could include the full schedule of Festival, Fringe & Open Houses events in The Scoop for the whole of May so we’ll add our 🔥 hot picks 🔥 each newsletter and you can peruse the every listing on their respective websites. Now be gone with you and go find something excellent to watch.

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. If you liked it, share it with a fisherman. Together we’ll get him hooked 🎣