Turning to Charles Dickens for its opening contribution to the Brighton Festival, the New Venture's production is a dramatisation of his social and political critique of the Victorian Industrial Age.

The production takes as its cue the references in the text to the world of the circus, setting the action within the big top, with its inhabitants playing the various roles and acting out the tale.

This device works well and offers the opportunity to lighten the seriousness of the piece. In the novel Dicken's examines the obsession with the use of facts and statistics to justify the social injustices which took place during the 19th Century.

The story follows the lives of the Gradgrinds, a family who venerate facts to the detriment of emotion. Also crucial are Josiah Bounderby, an all powerful mill owner and banker, and the unfortunate Stephen Blackpool, a poor mill hand.

There is much to be enjoyed in this production - an ensemble piece but full of individual triumphs.

Tony Scola's Gradgrind is particularly moving in his scene with his daughter Louise, another of Jet Tattersall's sensitive portrayals, when his world of facts collapses.

There are contrasting portrayals from Tim Blisset as Bounderby - all-powerful - and Brandon Maguire as Blackpool. Maguire gives an astonishingly moving performance as the gentle and meek man to whom much wrong is done.

This production is rich in fine acting and inventive direction.

Until May 14. Call 01273 746118
by Barrie Jerram.