Brighton audiences are in for a treat this autumn as one of Britain’s most iconic radio comedies comes back to life on stage. Round the Horne – the beloved BBC series that drew up to 15 million listeners each week in the 1960s – is heading to the Theatre Royal Brighton on Tuesday, November 4 2025 as part of its nationwide 60th anniversary tour.
Originally broadcast between 1965 and 1968, Round the Horne was a true game-changer for British comedy. With its anarchic sketches, outrageous parodies, and unforgettable regulars like Rambling Syd Rumpo and J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, the show made household names of Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Betty Marsden.
But what makes Round the Horne particularly special – and why it feels so at home in Brighton – is its lasting impact on LGBTQ+ culture. The series famously featured Julian and Sandy, two flamboyant, quick-witted characters who spoke in Polari at a time when homosexuality was still illegal. Their bold, camp humour smuggled queer culture into mainstream households in a way that was both affectionate and subversive, paving the way for greater representation.
Now, Apollo Theatre Company is bringing this comedy classic back for modern audiences with a live stage production that recreates the raucous atmosphere of the original BBC recordings – complete with live sound effects, a band, and a lovingly curated selection of sketches by the show’s original writers, Barry Took and Marty Feldman.
Director Tim Astley said: “I was born 20 years after Round the Horne aired its final episode and discovered it as a teenager. Even then, I knew it was special. Barry and Marty’s writing had something for everyone – big characters and ridiculous scenarios on one level, and wonderful wordplay and innuendo on another. Listening back now, I catch jokes I missed the first time. It really is timeless comedy, and an absolute joy to perform for audiences young and old.”
Actor Julian Howard McDowell will play Kenneth Horne, alongside a cast who bring the classic characters to vivid life.
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Address: New Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1SD
Tickets: Theatre Royal Brighton
