We continue to support Brighton Fringe artists and the local arts ecosystem through our bursary schemes

 

Brighton Fringe banner photo by James Ratchford


The Pebble Trust Young People’s BURSARIES

Each winter we offer bursaries to young people who plan to put on an event at Brighton Fringe the following May. The event could be in any category including theatre, literature, visual arts, comedy, dance, cabaret, film or music. The awards are intended for artists at the beginning of their careers and applicants must be aged 25 or younger, live in Brighton and Hove and be bringing an event to the Fringe for the first time.

A panel of expert judges pick the winners who each receive £500 towards production costs. This money could be used for venue or equipment hire, marketing, props, tech support etc.

Bursary winners receive £500 plus:

  • Up to three professional mentoring sessions with our judges. These sessions, which take place between January and May, have proved invaluable to previous bursary winners in the run-up to the Fringe.

  • Brighton Fringe registration fees paid by The Pebble Trust. Once registered, the winners are part of the biggest arts festival in England and can access all the benefits offered by Brighton Fringe Participant Services.


WINNERS 2024

Oceana Bertino-Kavadellas - El Viaje

Based on interviews with Oceana’s grandmother, Abuela, El Viaje uses storytelling, music, song, and physical theatre to share her exciting yet heartbreaking journey from Cuba to Puerto Rico, to North America. A powerful show that invites the audience to question the things that are worth fighting for.

Isobel Songer - Flat 4

A one-women show exploring the joys and complexities of female friendship, Set in a two bedroom University flat and combining theatre and spoken word, this performance unveils the dramas of two girls of two girls living together in their early twenties.

An Exploration of Brighton Identity with ProjectOurs

ProjectOurs is a Brighton based film collective for women and gender minority filmmakers. This exploration of identity will combine visual art and projected images with physical theatre and performance art.

 

The Brighton Fringe International Touring AWARD in association with The Pebble Trust

 

2022’s Outgoing award winner was MOTHERLOAD! by Urban Foxes Collective

Outgoing

The outgoing touring bursary enables the winner to tour their Fringe event to one or more international Fringe festivals. Previous winners have travelled to cities such as Amsterdam, Sydney and San Diego. Up to £3,000 is available to be put towards travel, accommodation and other related costs. Judges from The Pebble Trust and the World Fringe Alliance select the winning show which is announced at the Awards Ceremony held on the final Sunday of Brighton Fringe. Entrants must be from Sussex.

2022’s winner was MOTHERLOAD! by Urban Foxes Collective, a quirky take on the subject of climate catastrophe which was funny and thought-provoking at the same time.

Applications are made via the Brighton Fringe website.


Incoming

In addition to the outgoing touring award, The Pebble Trust offers up to £3,000 to a winner from an international Fringe to bring their event to Brighton.  This year’s winner is Adelaide-based Britt Plummer with Fool’s Paradise

FOOL'S PARADISE - A Comedy of Cross-Continental Courting, Clowns and Catastrophes

Presented by FRANK. Theatre and Richard Jordan Productions, in association with Pleasance

Fest Magazine ‘Top Theatre Picks’ 2024! 

You’re cordially invited to the wedding of the year! Whether you're a fan of Amelie or When Harry Met Sally ★★★★ “You’ll be laughing, throwing confetti, and tapping your toes to this clever, fun performance.” (Fringe Feed)  Rising-star Britt Plummer's bittersweet long-distance love story’s a ★★★★ "Delectable and thought provoking” (Edinburgh Festival Magazine), heartbreakingly hilarious show which fuses storytelling, puppetry, and clowning into a modern-day fringe rom-com, ★★★★ “....may do for hand sanitisers what Ghost did for pottery” (Event Adelaide).

The Pebble Trust International Touring Bursary Incoming Winner 2024
WINNER 2024 Adelaide Fringe 'Tour Ready' Award - NZ Fringe Festival
WINNER 2024 FRINGE WORLD Weekly 'Theatre & Performance' Award
WINNER 2023 Adelaide Fringe 'Tour Ready' Award - Fringe World Perth

The Incoming award winner for 2024 is Fool’s Paradise from Adelaide. Photo Credit: Naomi Reed