4 Best Performing Arts in Brighton, The Southeast

West of the Royal Pavilion, the Brighton Dome was converted from the Prince Regent's stables in the 1930s. It includes a theater and a concert hall that stages classical and pop concerts, plays, and stand-up comedy. Around Christmas, the Royal Pavilion also hosts annual pantomimes, traditional British children's plays featuring songs, dance, and jokes (including some stealthy adult jokes for the parents). Pantomimes are usually helmed by a mix of talented stage pros and low-rent TV stars.

The three-week-long Brighton Festival, one of England's biggest and liveliest arts festivals, takes place every May in venues around Brighton. The more than 600 events include drama, music, dance, and visual arts.

One of the oldest cinemas in the world, the elegant Duke of York's Picture House dates back to 1910 and shows an eclectic range of art-house movies and also hosts film-related discussions and events. It's a 10-minute walk north of the main train station.

Close to the Royal Pavilion, the Theatre Royal has a gem of an auditorium that has been a favorite venue for shows on their way to, or fresh from, London's West End for more than 200 years.