A Disney star has supported a Brighton Fringe scheme which gives funds to performers who otherwise may not have been able to access the arts.

The arts festival announced its largest bursary offering to date, with a total of forty-three winners across sixteen schemes.

The bursaries cover a range of genres from dance to art exhibitions, and support various performers such as members of the LGBTQ+ community and women experiencing homelessness.

The programme ensures access to the arts for those who ordinarily may not have been able to take part and each bursary has its own set of criteria and prizes ranging from financial support to mentoring and rehearsal space.

Among the bursary supporters are Luke Rollason, star of Disney+ show Extraordinary and long-term Brighton Fringe performer, contributed to the bursary programme by supporting four events.

Seeking events from comedians that are underrepresented in the genre and creating alternative comedy, Luke supported events such as Su Mi: Banana Beard at The Actors and Clementine at The Rotunda Theatre.

Independent tea company Bird and Blend Tea Co., supported four events across two bursary schemes.

Their SustainabiliTEA Bursary sought events which included sustainability in the event, through educational themes or sustainable event operations. They also offered a CommuniTEA Bursary, which sought events engaging with the community or focussing on community themes, such as Can I Be Bored Now? at Latest Music Bar and The A Word which has already been rehearsing at a Bird and Blend Tea Co. shop as part of their award.

The Pebble Trust, long-term supporters of Brighton Fringe, once again aided performers through multiple bursary programmes.

Its Young People Bursary supported four under 25 participants from Brighton and Hove, offering mentoring sessions and covering production costs. This included events such as Stimmicanto at Presuming Ed’s, which explores hope, new beginnings, and neurodivergence. Pebble Trust also offered an International Touring Bursary, helping Esther’s Revenge to perform at Brighton Fringe 2023 all the way from Nigeria.

Supporting LGBTQ+ performers, with aims to enrich, entertain and educate audiences, Brighton and Hove Pride offered five bursaries. Ranging from comedy events about gender expression and trans masculinity such as It’s A Boy? at Laughing Horse, to murderous theatre events from award-winning performers such as Blue Blood at Ironworks Studios.