The surprise of the year was when The Forty Part Motet came to Fabrica as part of the 2011 Brighton Festival.  With more than 38,000 visitors it was a real hit!

Arguably, one of the many highlights in the Theatre Royal Brighton’s year was Tracie Bennett’s amazing Olivier-nominated recreation of Judy Garland in End Of The Rainbow.

The Great Escape was massive, with Sufjan Steven’s sold-out show at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall arguably the best festival performance of the year.

It was also a big year for the city on film as the remake of Brighton Rock starring Helen Mirren hit the big screen.  A whole host of local film makers also released features including Brighton -based Ben Wheatley’s creepy horror thriller Kill List.

It was hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks who caused  the biggest impact nationally, as their debut single Down With The Trumpets became a feel-good anthem when it was released in September.  They have worked with long-time hero Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) on latest single Mama Do The Hump.  With album Stereotypical hitting the top ten when released in October and three shows already sold out in Brighton this won’t be the last we see of them.

The fire garden created by French outdoor alchemists Compagnie Carabosse in St Ann’s Well Gardens was probably the most successful Brighton Festival outdoor show ever.  The flaming sculptures and installations were paired with fittingly eccentric live music.  It made for a spectacular, and very Brighton, night-time stroll.