6 companies to look out for at the Brighton Fringe

Bucket Club met at Bristol University and formed soon after graduation, presenting work at the Bristol Old Vic, the Lyric Hammersmith and Latitude Festival and picking up multiple awards on the way. Their latest offering, Lorraine & Alan, a playful retelling of the Selkie myth accompanied by a live human soundtrack, sold out at last year's Edinburgh Fringe and scooped the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence among other accolades. It will appear at Brighton Fringe (21-22 May at the Old Market) as part of a UK-wide tour.

2. Wildspark Theatre

Led by Julie Everton, an experienced theatre, TV and radio writer, and Josie Melia, whose recent play What Would Helen Mirren Do? toured extensively throughout the UK, Wildspark Theatre celebrated its first birthday this year. Their first show The Bombing of the Grand Hotel is based on the true story of the reconciliation between Pat Magee, who planted the bomb, and Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the blast, and promises to be one of Brighton Fringe's hottest tickets this year (6, 7 & 9 May, Otherplace at The Warren).

3. Box Tale Soup

Formed in 2012, the ever-inventive Box Tale Soup use sideshow, circus, improvised comedy and classical theatre to present classic works to children. They are staging two all-ages shows at Brighton Fringe this year: A Midsummer Night's Dream (2-4, 25 May at Otherplace at The Warren) and G.K.Chesterton's Manalive! (3-4, 25 May at The Warren).

4. The Brighton Laboratory

Homegrown talent the Brighton Laboratory impressed critics in 2013 with The Sun That Casts No Shadows, an adaptation of Albert Camus' classic novel The Outsider. They raised the bar further at last year's Brighton Fringe with the "pathologically compelling" (Total Theatre) House, staged across four floors of a Victorian townhouse. This year, they're back with House 2 (9-10 May), a free performance set in a converted council house, and will also be reviving House (7-10 May) for those who missed out first time around.

5. The Others

Fresh from success at Amsterdam Fringe and Belgrade, intriguing Dutch company The Others bring their show I am not Antigone to Brighton Fringe (7, 8, 10 May Otherplace at the Basement). Their imaginative double hander uses new technology to retell this 2,500-year-old story of politics and revolution, and the company could be set to make a name for themselves as a result.

6. Peaceful Lion Productions

Founded in 2006 by Ollie Fielding to produce stylish productions with a hint of mischief, Peaceful Lion Productions have been going from strength to strength ever since. Their new show Rosie's Magic Horse (2-4 May Otherplace at the Warren), based on Russell Hoban's book and Quentin Blake's illustrations, is the perfect treat for everyone aged three and up.

Brighton Fringe runs from 1 to 31 May. For more info visit brightonfringe.org.