Custard Club Brighton Fringe 2026 arrives at the Lantern Theatre this May — a new comedy that blends chaos, identity and sharp humour into one unforgettable night.
Written by Alice Harris-Deans and presented by Whole Headache Productions, this brand new show is the recipient of the Pebble Trust Young Person’s Bursary and builds on a growing reputation for work that is both poignant and unexpectedly playful.
What Is Custard Club?
Five women. Four decades. Twenty tins of custard. One delicious secret.
At the centre of Custard Club is Nancy — a young woman searching for queer community in a way that is anything but conventional.
Her solution?
Summon four women from across the twentieth century to her kitchen table.
What follows is an evening that spirals between:
- passive aggression
- genuine conflict
- drag performances
- and full-scale custard chaos
As identities begin to slip and facades break down, the play explores what it really means to belong — and what it costs to build authentic community.
A Comedy With Something Underneath
While Custard Club is described as a comedy, it moves between tones with intention.
At times, it is sharp, camp and chaotic.
At others, it becomes something more reflective — a look at queer identity, coding and the ways people adapt themselves to fit into the world around them.
The result is a show that doesn’t sit neatly in one genre.Dubbed as the lovechild of Top Girls and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, it is both theatrical and self-aware — balancing humour with emotional depth.
The Team Behind the Show
Custard Club is the latest work from Whole Headache Productions — the team behind:
- VEGAS (Edinburgh Fringe 2024)
- Corpse in the Room (Lambeth Fringe 2024)
Previous productions have been described as:
- “profound” (Everything Theatre)
- “poignant” (The Reviews Hub)
- “an utter delight” (Varsity)
This new production continues that trajectory — combining bold ideas with strong performance and a clear creative voice.
Why Brighton Fringe Should Pay Attention
Brighton Fringe is known for platforming work that feels new — not just in concept, but in voice.
Custard Club Brighton Fringe 2026 fits that space perfectly.
It is:
- unapologetically theatrical
- structurally playful
- and rooted in themes that feel relevant now
This is not just another comedy slot — it is a show that leans into absurdity while asking real questions about identity, belonging and authenticity.
Practical Details
📍 Lantern Theatre, Brighton
📅 24 May, 14:00
📅 25–26 May, 17:00
📅 27–28 May, 19:00
⏱ 75 minutes (no interval)
🎟 https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/custard-club/
For more Brighton Fringe 2026 shows, see our full Brighton Fringe guide.
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