The Old Market (TOM) in Brighton is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a major £100,000 fundraising campaign supported by Fatboy Slim and STOMP. TOM has hosted over 200 annual events, including music, theatre, comedy, dance, and film, and now aims to secure its future.
Celebrating 200 Years
Built in 1825, TOM is now owned by The Old Market Charitable Trust.
Executive Director Nic Connaughton said: “Your support is crucial in securing The Old Market’s future for generations to come.”
Creative Director Helen Jewell added that TOM continues to champion artistic experimentation and inclusivity.
Fundraising Campaign
The campaign invites contributions of all sizes, with incentives ranging from social media shoutouts to having seats or spaces named in supporters’ honour. TOM hopes to raise £100,000 by December 2025 for essential upgrades and financial stability.
Signature Programmes
TOM is home to several notable initiatives, including:
- Reigning Women: Launched in 2018, this programme highlights female-identifying artists. Upcoming shows include I AM – OommoO by LULA.XYZ, Or What’s Left of Us by Sh!t Theatre, and M-Othering by Chess Dillon-Reams.
- #TOMtech: Supporting over 350 artists since 2016, this platform bridges performance and technology with innovations like VR and motion capture.
- In The Box: A new immersive music experience featuring artists like Fatboy Slim and Phil Hartnoll.
Upcoming Highlights
Some key performances and events to look forward to include:
Theatre and Dance:
- I AM – OommoO (April 5-6) – An Afro-Futuristic exploration of memory and identity.
- Or What’s Left of Us (April 2-3) – A humorous take on grief through folk music.
- Toxic (May 6-7) – A powerful story of love and trauma by Nathaniel J. Hall.
- M-Othering (May 30-31) – A celebration of cross-generational care and resilience.
Music:
- Submotion Orchestra (May 1) – A genre-blending performance of electronica, jazz, and soul.
- James Lavelle presents UNKLE Sounds (May 2) – A one-off DJ set featuring deep cuts and club classics.
Family:
- Stick Man (September 25-28) – A beloved family show based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Website: https://www.theoldmarket.com/
