Theatre celebrates 200 years with women's festival

An independent theatre in Hove is celebrating 200 years since it was built with a women's arts festival.

The Old Market began life in 1825 as a market - but with a larger offering in nearby Brighton, it was soon scrapped and the building became a horse-riding academy.

It then had various uses throughout the years until becoming a theatre in the 1980s, and continues to serve as one of the area's best-loved venues.

Now, it is hosting the eighth Reigning Women festival to coincide with its bicentennial.

"Unfortunately, it's still the case that women need to be championed," said the Old Market's creative director, Helen Jewell.

"The industry is still suffering from lower pay grades [for women]. There's still a culture change that's needed."

The festival runs until the end of May and is a mix of theatre and music performances which celebrate women while addressing the gender divide.

It coincides with the launch of a new campaign to raise £100,000 so the charity which runs the building can pay for important upgrades.

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