The Costume Games

Old Steine Gardens, Brighton, Wednesday, September 16, to Sunday, September 20

FIRST Batman took the call.

Now a whole mass of superheroes, icons and alter egos are descending on Brighton in The Costume Games.

The event, which coincides with the UK-wide Festival Of Rugby, has evolved from sushi restaurant Moshimo’s popular Japan Festival.

It takes inspiration from the Japanese phenomenon of cosplay as seen on Sundays in the Tokyo district of Harajuku - and taps neatly into the city's unabashed love of fancy dress.

In advance of the event Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, in Pavilion Gardens, has been home to the Batman costume worn by Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan’s cult rebooting of the DC franchise.

And Graham Churchyard, the costume special effects supervisor of the trilogy, as well as Marvel movies Avengers Assemble and Guardians Of The Galaxy, will be one of many special guests talking about dressing up professionally at the climactic Costume Carnival on Saturday, September 19.

In preparation for the launch of the Costume Gardens in Old Steine Gardens street artist Lady Aiko is set to paint the passageway between St Bartholomew’s Square and Black Lion Street tomorrow.

The Gardens themselves open on Wednesday from 3.30pm, with residents encouraged to join set designers and artists to transform the space ahead of a 7pm supper club by Moshimo.

Music will be supplied by the “Godmother of Japanese Electronica” Coppe.

On Thursday from 6pm the Gardens are transformed again into a Las Vegas casino, ready to host 1,000 Elvis Presleys in an event sponsored by VBites’ Elvis Burger. Look out for a screening of Viva Las Vegas and an Elvis karaoke.

Friday follows a 1980s theme, with screenings of Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure at 4.30pm and Fame at 7.30pm, before Saturday’s carnival.

The Carnival will feature costume workshops, talks, demonstrations and film screenings followed by a free party for anyone in costume.

And to close the event Sunday’s events include screenings of Mary Poppins and The Sound Of Music, as well as a mass Suzuki violin concert featuring more than 100 young players at 3pm.

Visit www.thecostumegames.com