CROWDS joined in a good old song and dance on the concourse at Brighton Station last night as the Fringe Festival launched with a flash mob.

The festival, which takes place during May, has now opened its ticket sales to the public after nine days of exclusive Friends-only access.

Commuters were surprised by the two-hour event, which offered light relief from recent transport issues with exuberant performances plus freebies from the Bagelman and Curry Leaf Café outlets at the station.

The flash mob included ten performances from artists who are to feature in this year’s festival, with a range of short shows from West African drumming and folk music to storytelling and musical theatre.

Julian Caddy, managing director at Brighton Fringe, told The Argus: “The variety of events are as varied as the people of the city; people from all ages, backgrounds, and cultures.

“It’s what makes the Fringe so unique.

“It encompasses the whole city on a great scale.

“To have the Fringe in Brighton is a brilliant thing.”

Brighton Fringe is England’s largest arts festival, with 535,000 people attending last year’s events.

This year it is set to be bigger than ever, hosting 4,325 performances across 971 events held at 155 venues across the city.

Festival favourites The Warren and Spiegeltent return for this year and there’s a new outdoor venue – Shiny Town.

Fans of last year’s Dr Blighty will be pleased to hear more high-tech visuals are to storm the Royal Pavilion, with Mother India 21st Century Remix offering a revisualisation of the first Bollywood film to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Patrons can also choose to house performances in their own homes.

Caddy said: “It’s the home delivery of performance, getting them to come to you.”

Premium membership for Brighton Fringe has doubled in figures since last year, with a growing number of festivalgoers looking to secure their tickets early.

For the first time in its 11-year run, the box office unit opposite the Theatre Royal on New Road will also open throughout the entire run-up to the festival, starting next Tuesday.

Brighton Fringe performances begin on Friday, May 4, at 6pm at The Warren and it runs until Sunday, June 4.

Tickets are available from today.

Visit brightonfringe.org to book.