From 24 – 26 May 2024, the Brighton Fringe promised us “the true flavours of Normandy! The entertainment was “very Brighton”. Whether it was “très Normandie” is hard to say:
First up was La Sirène à Barbe, the cabaret group based in Dieppe.
The official Brighton Fringe poster (above) was relatively tame. La Sirène à Barbe tells us that their Drag Show inégalable guarantees une explosion de créativité, d’humour et d’extravagance.
The “Brighton-ness” of the act is well captured in this short clip.
La Sirène were joined by sword-swallowing “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Herwan Legaillard. Despite his Breton first name, Herwan was born just in Normandy, at Cherbourg. To enjoy his amazing circus skills, click here.
La Sirène was followed by a late night session with Rouen based DJ Kramder.
The following day a performance by For the Hackers – unlikely name of a group from Dieppe. Their style? A “blend of pop, rock and electro with French lyrics is guaranteed to impress” according to their promotional material. And here they are, on top of their vintage solar-powered bus, presumably somewhere in deepest Normandy. The bus, a tribute to Brighton’s Green credentials, perhaps.
If you were still up at 11pm Christine was there to entertain you for a couple of hours. You may have been a little disappointed to find that Christine was not female: founded in Rouen by Nicolas Lerille and Stéphane (definitely not Stéphanie) Delplanque this duo of tourntableurs [DJs] are, according to Brighton Fringe literature an “electronic/dark/synthwave act”.
But there were perhaps even greater lures to visit the Normandy Weekend: French food. French drink. This is how The Fringe Festival advertised it … all of it true:
Fancy something sweet? Bring the whole family for a Normandy sweet treats tasting, tucking into Cara-Meuh caramels, La Maison Du Biscuit cakes or Caramel De Pommes Dieppois spread. More of a cheese friend? We’ve got you covered with a cheese tasting ticking off the classics like Camembert, Neufchatel, Livarot and Isigny Mimolette. Or why not get into the weekend spirit and chance a calvados flight tasting a wealth of apple brandies.
Those expecting the sort of French farmers’ market such as had been a feature on Hove Lawns some years ago were disappointed. One stall brought over by the hard-working staff of Normandie Tourisme and of Transmanche Ferries – and that was it. Fortunately the calva was much in evidence, both in for tasting and on monsieur’s tee-shirt.
When asked whether any producteurs would be at the event, the answer was: Ils n’ont pas le droit de vendre. C’est Brexit. [They are not allowed to sell anything. That’s Brexit.]
Admittedly, Brexit has made it far harder for French Farmers’ Markets to visit Brighton, but if Heathfield can host one in 2024, why not Brighton and Hove?
And where was all this taking place? If you know Brighton, you will recognise the partially restored St Peter’s Church in the heart of the city.
Vive la Normandie. Vive la France. Vive Brighton & Hove.
French Brighton 