The Haunted Moustache - See The World’s Smallest Theatre at Brighton’s Oldest Cinema!

In November 2024, during Cinecity, the Brighton Film Festival, I received an email from David Bramwell asking if I was the right person to approach in his search for the World’s Smallest Theatre. This may sound rather random, but luckily, I was able to help!

David is a writer, broadcaster and performer based in Brighton, known by many as the host of the Catalyst Club since 2004. His mission was to make a film version of his award-winning one-man stage show The Haunted Moustache in which David seeks the story behind the moustache inherited from his Great Aunt Sylvie.

David Bramwell presents The World’s Smallest Theatre

The World’s Smallest Theatre was created by Adrian Bunting, the founder of Brighton Open Air Theatre, located in Dyke Road Park, opposite the Booth Museum. Adrian performed with the World’s Smallest Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe, and it was bequeathed to Brighton & Hove Museums after Adrian passed away. The single audience member ‘wears’ the theatre over their head, and the performers speak through openings in the other three sides. It plays a key role in David’s story, so he was eager to borrow it:

“Adrian’s tiny theatre became the centre of controversy at Edinburgh Fringe in the mid-nineties when Adrian came face to face with performer Marcel Steiner and his ‘Smallest Theatre in the World’. What happened next made world news and led to front page stories in most British newspapers that summer. Why? Watch the film to find out! The film is a love letter to Brighton in many ways and Adrian’s World’s Smallest Theatre epitomises the DIY eccentric spirit of the town. It was the only prop used in the film and provided us with a unique opportunity to have some fun filming an argument inside between Adrian and Marcel. It meant a lot being able to properly present that piece of the town’s history and demonstrate how it would have felt for those taking part. We were grateful for Brighton & Hove Museums for trusting us with it. I know Adrian would have wanted it this way too.”

David Bramwell presents The World’s Smallest Theatre - ‘I wonder how this works…’ David peers in the theatre — ‘I wonder how this works…’

Now a year later and the film is ready for release. Bramwell has a great team behind him, including cinematographer Laurie Rose, producer Andy Starke and sound designer Martin Pavey, all of whom have worked on the films of Ben Wheatley and Peter Strickland. Theatre director Emma Kilbey was also on hand, someone David has worked closely with over the years.

See the film

Cinecity hosts the UK premiere of The Haunted Moustache at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse.
Thursday 6 November, 7.30pm.
The film will be followed by a Q&A with David Bramwell.