A group of children stand on stage. One of them wears fake glasses and is being projected live onto a screen also on the stage. Two of them are dressed as ghosts with sheets over their heads, and another is about to climb a ladder. They are all having fun. — Image Credit: Winnie Yeung

Time Keeps The Drummer - Young Participant Call Out

Mon 26th Jan 2026

In May 2026, Brighton Festival and the award-winning theatre company Fevered Sleep will be working together on a unique project and we need a cast

In May 2026, Brighton Festival and the award-winning theatre company Fevered Sleep will be working together on a unique project and we need a cast.

We are seeking twelve local children ages 7–10, to make up the cast of Time Keeps The Drummer.

Time Keeps The Drummer is not a traditional play with a story. It’s a live performance where audiences can come in and out of the theatre whenever they want. The experience invites the audience to slow down and feel time as boundless, joyful, chaotic, and most importantly to examine time through children and their imagination.

Time Keeps The Drummer is a 5-hour durational performance for family and adult audiences, performed by 12 children and a single adult percussionist. It explores time from children’s point of view. It invites everyone in the audience - children and adults alike - to slow down, to linger, and to rest, engaging with the show on their own terms.

The rehearsal and performance schedule means that your child would have to miss 3 days of school. But we promise it will be worth it: this is an experience that will do so much for their confidence, growth and creativity.

You’ll need to check with the school if that’s ok before you come to the workshop. Click here to download a letter with all the information that you can use.

Fevered Sleep will be running an audition workshop on Saturday 28 February to meet children. These sessions will give children the chance to find out what it would be like to be in the project, and will give Fevered Sleep’s directors, David and Sam, the chance to meet a wide range of children. They will then select 12 children to join the cast based on the need to ensure a mix of ages and personalities onstage.

Workshops will happen on Saturday 28 February at these times:

10–11.30am
11.45am–1.15pm
2.30–4pm
4.15–5.45pm

You only need to sign up for one workshop. You can book your place here. The deadline to sign up is Thursday 19 February.

It was Eva’s first ever professional experience and I can’t tell you what a significant impact it’s had on her confidence levels, resilience and motivations for the future. Thank you so so much for all your gracious (and patient!) support.

You have created a huge buzz in Scott! He is very eager to keep performing and dancing in any way he can! Thank you for igniting his passion for performance!

We have included some frequently asked questions below, but if you would like any more information please contact Fevered Sleep at [javascript protected email address]

What are the dates?

Mon 6 April (Easter Monday), 10am–5pm

Tue 7 April (Easter holidays), 10am–5pm

Wed 8 April (Easter holidays), 10am–5pm

Thu 9 April (Easter holidays), 10am–5pm

Fri 10 April (Easter holidays), 10am–5pm

Sat 11 April, 10am–5pm

Sat 18 April, 10am–5pm

Mon 20 April (after school), 4.15–7.15pm

Tue 21 April (after school), 4.15–7.15pm

Sat 25 April, 10am–5pm

Mon 27 April (after school), 4.15–7.15pm

Tue 28 April (after school), 4.15–7.15pm

Sat 3 May, 10am–5pm

Mon 4 May (Bank holiday), 10am–5pm

Wed 6 May (agreed absence from school), 10am–5pm

Thu 7 May (agreed absence from school), 10am–5pm

Fri 8 May (agreed absence from school), times tbc: preview performance ending at 9pm

Sat 9 May, 12–7.30pm: performance

Sun 10 May, 12–7.30pm: performance

You do not need to be present at these rehearsals. There will be a licensed chaperone and all members of the Fevered Sleep company who interact with your child will be DBS checked.

Are there educational benefits to being in the show?

Yes. In summary, children will:

Learn new movement skills, and confidence in public speaking and performing.
Develop social and interpersonal skills, like teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Learn new ways of thinking about time and rest and work, which will benefit their emotional, mental and physical health

Does my child need experience of performing or being on stage?

Not at all, we are looking for children who like to play, learn new skills, and enjoy collaborating with others.

Will my child have to learn lots of lines?

No. Time Keeps The Drummer is directed live and shaped in real-time by the directors and the children in the cast. Sometimes it looks like a show, sometimes it’s more like a live gallery installation. Children are doing things like choreographed movement and dance sequences, having live conversations, playing, and creating striking visual images.

The show is 5 hours long??! My child will be exhausted!

The children aren’t onstage for the full 5 hours. They come and go and have lots of breaks and rest, under the supervision of licensed chaperones.

Do I need to pay for my child to do this?

No, participation is free of charge.

Does my child get paid for doing this?

We can pay travel expenses, and each child gets a £100 voucher to say thank you.

Where will rehearsals and performances happen?

Rehearsals in April and early May will happen at Brighton Dome and other locations in Brighton. Rehearsals and performances Thursday 7 May to Sunday 10 May will happen in Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.

Can I come and see the show?

Yes please, we will have free tickets for each family/caregiver to attend the performance.

My child is in Year 2/ Year 7 - can they take part?

Yes, as long as they are 7 by the time rehearsals start that’s fine, and equally if your child is 11 at the time of the performance we would also consider them.

My child is neurodivergent/ has a disability - can they take part?

Yes. We can work with you to make sure they have the support they need during the process and to create the best experience for them. The only restriction is that they must be able to go onstage without a support worker.

Have Fevered Sleep done projects like this before?

Yes. Time Keeps The Drummer has been performed in Hong Kong, London and Nottingham. Fevered Sleep have years of experience co-creating projects with children. You can see more about them on their site.