Last Friday, May 1, Brighton Open Air Theatre (Boat) kicked off its 2026 season, which will run until September.
This year, the outdoor venue is offering a range of live performances, comedy, music and family entertainment.
Speaking to The Argus ahead of the launch night, general manager Will Mytum said: “We are feeling really great.
“The weather’s beautiful, we’ve made some fantastic on sight improvements and we have a fantastic programme planned.
“As usual, we’ve got all sorts going on. There’s really something for everybody.”
The theatre’s 2026 season began on May 1 (Image: Marc Brennan)
The season comes amid an awaiting verdict on plans to install an artificial grass pitch and multi-use games area at Bhasvic, on Dyke Road, Brighton.
The proposed development also features the associated works including lighting, access ramps, hard surfacing and a storage container, and would sit on land west of the college which is currently used as a playing field.
The college says the development will provide a “much-needed sport facility” which will contribute to the health and well-being of both students and the wider community.
However, Boat shared a strong objection against the proposal with concerns about their future if the plans were to be approved.
It says the plans look to build only 50m away from the theatre and any noise from the pitches would make non-amplified performances “utterly unviable”.
Will described the support as “wonderful”, having highlighted the public support for the venue.
He said: “We got so much support from people; it was really heartening. There were almost 2,000 objections to the application and not just for Boat. There were concerns about the environment, traffic and noise.”
“It was really wonderful what’s come out of it, it’s really demonstrated how loved Boat is and how many people care about it. I just hope the planning committee takes this into account.”
(Image: Brighton and Hove Planning Portal)
The charity said that around 75 per cent of their performances use spoken word (non-amplified), which would no longer be able to go ahead if the plans were approved.
The findings suggested that a noise management plan was implemented as part of the development and advised that all perimeter fencing is fixed to the support posts t or reduce the sound from ball impact.
It also recommended that a “no-whistle policy” was implemented during the time of Boat performances.
The findings said that the “proposal meets with the environmental protection criteria and are considered acceptable in terms of noise”.
Boat also carried out its own noise assessment survey, which Will said found that the proposed site would cause “significant disruption” to the theatre.
Speaking to The Argus in January, Will said: “Sustained shouting, ball impacts on fencing and whistling from dozens of people across several hours would utterly overwhelm anything on our stage.
“We are not exaggerating when we say that the future of the theatre would be in serious jeopardy if these plans go ahead.”
Aerial Shot Of Bhasvic, Playing Fields, Boat And Dyke Road Park
In an official statement, Bhasvic responded to public concerns highlighting the facilities benefit for students and the wider community, as well as addressing Boat’s concerns.
It said: “Our hope is that the clear educational benefits, the promotion of physical exercise, and the needs of young people and the community will lead to the approval of this project.
“As part of that approval, we can work with Boat and the planning committee to ensure that both facilities can co-exist together, rather than taking an ‘us or them’ approach to this development.
“We want these desperately needed facilities, and we want Boat to thrive. Both things are possible.”
The proposal is set to be discussed at a planning committee meeting in the coming months.
The full application can be found on the Brighton and Hove City Council planning portal, via reference: BH2025/02901.
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