AN EXHIBITION at Brighton Station will give an insight into England’s biggest arts festival.

James Bellorini, who lives and works in Brighton, has photographed 35 performers and key figures behind the Brighton Fringe 2018.

With exactly a month to go until the launch of the festival, the station display – entitled Inside The Fringe – aims to capture those involved in the month-long event in “locations that mean something to them”.

James, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company before becoming a full-time photographer, said he worked with his subjects closely to work out the best setting for each shot.

The gallery has been created in conjunction with  Anthony Dowsett, station manager at Brighton station. 

“I met everybody in advance and we chatted at great length about what they did and what their inspirations are,” said James. “Between us we found the places to photograph them that made the most sense. Those locations had to reflect the energy and character of the people presented.”

James’s subjects range from burlesque actor Honour Mission to self-proclaimed “drag prince” Alfie Ordinary.

The photographer said the “breadth of people” featured in the exhibition “captures the ethos of the Fringe”. He added: “I am often surprised by the quality and the imagination of stuff at the festival.”

James will be stationed at public sites such as Fringe City, The Warren and The Spiegeltent during the festival.

He said that snapping audiences was just as gratifying as shooting the performers. “You get a lot of immediate reactions from people and there is a lot of joy and fun around,” he said.

James worked at Glyndebourne and The National Theatre before he was invited to take portraits of performers from the Fringe’s Dutch Season last year.

He trained in fine art photography but said he “became an actor by mistake – and ended up doing it for 20 years”.

He added that his time treading the boards means he is well placed to take pictures of arts events.

“That gives me an anticipation of what is about to happen, which someone without that experience wouldn’t have,” he said.

Inside The Fringe opens at Brighton Station on Thursday. Visit brightonfringe.org