The End of the Pier Show
Brighton Pier
If you live in, near or are holidaying in the next two weeks in Brighton then you’ll be pleased to know that it’s beloved End of the Pier Show has made a spectacular return for Summer 2026, with an even bigger celebration of Britain’s rich seaside entertainment traditionally at the iconic Brighton Palace Pier.
Following a hugely successful debut season, the hit family musical returns with an extended 16th – 28th August 2026 run (no performance 22nd August, with twice-daily performances at 1pm and 3pm, before making history later this year with the show’s first-ever Christmas production.
This is a joyous celebration of the past, present and future of seaside entertainment, End of the Pier Show combines musical performances, comedy, storytelling and choreography in a fast-paced 50-minute theatrical experience that captures the magic of Britain’s famous pier shows for a new generation. The show features classic seaside favourites alongside modern hits all performed in the unique setting of Horatio’s Bar at the very end of Brighton Palace Pier.
At the heart of the production are the much-loved Palace Pier Performers, Ted Brickley, Ella Whettingsteel, Neith Alexandra, Jada Castledine & Harry Butcher. The production is written and produced by Brighton favourites Allison Ferns and Jack Pallister, whose shared passion for live entertainment and Brighton’s unique heritage has helped create a show that is funny, nostalgic and unmistakably local. Returning as Musical Director is acclaimed theatre musician Josh Mills, whose dynamic musical arrangements bring together timeless seaside classics with contemporary chart favourites, creating a soundtrack that appeals to audiences of every age.
Writer and Producer Jack Pallister said: “There’s something incredibly special about bringing live theatre back to where it belongs at the end of the pier. Seaside entertainment is woven into Brighton’s history, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating that tradition with audiences old and new. The response to the show has been phenomenal, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for an even bigger 2026 season.”
Writer and Producer Allison Ferns said: “Growing up in Brighton, the Palace Pier has always been a huge part of my life. In fact, my very first job was selling cockles and mussels there, so this feels like a real full-circle moment. This show is a celebration of everything that makes Brighton, Brighton and tells the unforgettable stories that have made the Palace Pier world famous”
Part musical, part love letter to Brighton, End of the Pier Show celebrates everything that makes the British seaside so enduringly magical. The story is told through the eyes of a modern day influencer and his girlfriend on the lookout for new content and they come across a time travel portal that takes them back to 1901 where they meet a young loved-up Victorian couple and they all have a good old singalong and knees up to some of the popular songs of the day, this is followed by a brief history of Brighton Pier and then the audience is taught how to play the spoons (available to purchase for £1 a pair). We then move forward to 1925 for a bit of Flash Bang Wallop What A Picture! and then onto 1967 for a bit of Brighton Walk (it’s really the Lambert Walk but who’s complaining?), 1974 gives us a bit of the Mack and Mabel musical which most people will recognise because Torvill & Dean skated to it, followed by Things Ain’t What They Used To Be and a nod to Abba winning Eurovision in Brighton with Waterloo. And so on to 1996 and the Spice Girls encourage you to Spice Up Your Life and then we are brought right up to date by the appearance a someone wearing a cloak who has a dark fringe covering her eyes. Any idea who this faithful woman might be?
For me to star of the show was Ted Brickley who is still at theatre school but is obviously extremely talented, has a strong and powerful singing voice, has great stage charisma and resembles a young-looking Lee Mead. I’m sure this young man has a good future ahead of him in the world of theatre and musical comedy.
Overall the show is a lot of fun, although the comedic skits in between the songs didn’t land particularly well at the show I saw and may need to be edited and re-written a little bit, but if you are in Brighton and are looking for something to do for an hour out of the sun where you can eat and drink and watch something that will appeal to grandparents, parents and kiddies alike then this is the show for you.
Mike Linane