It's Party Time!

After two hard years we are finally back to a full Fringe Festival for 2022. And if like me you can't wait till 6th July - I have some good news for you.

On Saturday 4th June we will be hosting our usual Programme Party, yes that's right our full printed programme is back after last year's restrictions and it's a bumper edition!  52 pages covering 168 entries, so there's bound to be something to appeal to you.

If the chance to grab a programme hot off the press isn't enough to tempt you into a night out, there's lots more on offer.  

Naturally there will be food and drink but better still some of our performers - folk trio Rare Occasion, singer/comedian Angela Bra and stand up Henry Churniavsky - will be giving sneak previews of their shows. There will be an opportunity to meet performers, network with members of the committee and chat with old and new friends.

Personally I'm really looking forward to meeting people who love the Fringe as much as I do and I can't wait to see our programme in the flesh, the cover is so colourful and cheerful!

So put the date in your diary, find your party shoes and prepare for a night of fun.

Green Man Gallery Sat 4th June 7pm to 9pm Entertainment starts 7.15pm. 

See you there!

Carole Garner

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe

Read all about it… News from Fringe performers!

Charmian Hughes (credit: Steve Ullathorne)

We are so excited to see press releases coming in from our wonderful Fringe performers. Below follows some extracts giving a flavour of what’s in store from stand-ups Charmian Hughes and Henry Churniavsky and from playwright Margaret Holbrook. For full details of their shows see our listings on https://buxtonfringe.org.uk/descriptions2022.html. If you are a Fringe performer who would like to be featured in our blog, please send your press release, or even just a quote from you, to press@buxtonfringe.org.uk.

Charmian Hughes: She! The Immortal Horror Queen’s Guide to Life

Charmian Hughes has been performing stand-up comedy for over three decades, in venues as varied as the Comedy Store, the Glastonbury Festival, the Houses of Parliament and HMP Wormwood Scrubs. 

She has taken her comedy to the Dublin Comedy Festival, Scilly Laughs Festival, Melbourne Comedy Festival, and the New Zealand Fringe- where she got stuck in their lockdown in 2020!

What does a Bond Girl, a Hammer Horror villainess and a Colossal Squid have in common? They all mentored Charmian in the game of life.

In 1965, as Feminism ‘s second wave lapped at the shores of a fading British Empire, eight-year-old Charmian Hughes (British Comedian of The Year finalist) saw the iconic Hammer Horror film ‘She’, starring Bond Girl Ursula Andress. 

The story of a mysterious and murderous queen who has endless beauty, power and immortality but wastes them on some English bloke who could be the reincarnation of her long-lost lover, filled young Charmian with horror. Is that what being any kind of successful woman looked like?  

But by the time Charmian was 17, idolising her older glamorous dollybird sister, and desperate for a boyfriend, she was trying those deadly womanly wiles herself. But what makes you a great girlfriend in 1000 years BC makes you a terrible girlfriend in 1973.

Now, all these years later, for Charmian, happily married and a comedian, running into that old boyfriend again unleashes old obsessions, resentments, and jealousies. 

As we get older and our future contracts, does the immensity of the past hold answers?

Can an encounter with a Colossal Squid save Charmian from herself?

‘I LOVE Charmian Hughes.’ Bridget Christie.  ‘Pick of my fringe.’ Arthur Smith.

Charmian also runs comedy workshops, and this year assisted comedian Angie Belcher in her daring new NHS backed Comedy On Referral project, where comedy is used as therapy. As his former comedy teacher, Charmian also appeared in Micky Flanagan’s TV show Peeping Behind The Curtain.

Charmian has also acted in plays at the Edinburgh Fringe for Comedians Theatre Company and Kazzum Theatre.

Charmian was a finalist in British Comedian of The Year, nominated twice for Buxton Fringe Festival’s Best Comedy Show - including last year with this show. This is her tenth solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe and is directed by Amanda Baker.

          

Scouse Comedian Offering ‘Laughs for Life’ at Buxton Festival Fringe.

Jewish/Scouse stand-up comedian Henry Churniavsky has two shows on Saturday 23rd July 2022. Both shows are to raise awareness and funds for Mental Health Charities. He came up with the idea after his best friend’s son attempted suicide, and never recovered. He is now an Ambassador for The Mental Health Charity. Jami UK and he also supports YoungMinds Mental Health Charity.

With All Jew Respect: Henry’s first show for the charity is an afternoon solo show of his best Jewish humour. See how he survives his 88 year old ‘Non-Filter’ Jewish mother (who still lives too near him) and his extended family. Covering topics such as growing up, school (losing his virginity), marriage, managing the menopause (his wife’s not his), mid-life crisis, Jewish lockdown (yes it’s different), being Jewrotic (Jewish & Neurotic), now being a sexagenarian and having many surgical procedures. But most importantly, the influence of his Jewish mother.

Laugh For Life Comedy: Compilation show for Mental Health: A team of award-winning comedians will be aiming to raise funds and awareness for the mental health charities.

Join Henry and the crew for some laughs and at the same time support a great cause. 

Henry has eight years of Comedy Stand-up experience performing all over the UK, performing also in America and Amsterdam.

His solo shows have been at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Buxton & Brighton Festival Fringes, Leicester Comedy Festival and Camden Fringe.

Henry’s aim through his charity ‘Laugh for Life Comedy’ is to raise awareness and funds. His website includes help lines, advice, supportive blogs and links to his podcasts ‘Laugh For Life Comedy’ which combines mental health issues and comedy. He also posts about comedy, which lifts the soul and raises the spirit and this should never be underestimated.

ANY OTHER DAY

Empress Presents ANY OTHER DAY, a new play by Margaret Holbrook. It is set a few days following the death of Alan Turing at his home, Holly Mead, in Wilmslow on the 7th June 1954. There will be a short Q and A following each performance. 

Says Margaret: "I've been wanting to write something about Alan Turing for several years but couldn't visualise how I could set it to make it accessible, and I didn't want it to focus too much on numbers and codes. Then, in November 2021 a lightbulb moment and ANY OTHER DAY was the result. It is set in the garden of Holly Mead, Alan Turing's home, in the days following his death."

Margaret is widely published in poetry magazines and anthologies and has 3 poetry collections published and several novels. Her latest novel creation is Jack France, a landed amateur sleuth and racing driver. 

Her poetry collection Hobby Horses Will Dance (folklore/myth/nature) has found its way to the library at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

 

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk

Facebook: buxtonfringe

Twitter: @buxtonfringe

Instagram: @buxtonfringe

How do I get to meet the stars?

Here at Fringe towers we couldn’t be more excited to be organising a big live festival - just like the old days - but with what looks like a bumper Fringe in July, we are also aware that we are going to need more volunteers than ever to make it all happen.

The Fringe Information Desk, now in the conservatory area of the Pavilion Gardens near the restaurant, becomes a real hive of activity in July with volunteers needed to help keep displays up to date, answer customer questions and - best of all - meet our talented performers including the odd famous name. 

Since we’ve had this new space, desk workers have also had the fun of seeing Fringe buskers performing on the paved area just outside. Plus it is absolutely the place to be if you want to find out which shows are going down a storm with reviewers and audiences.

Traditionally we have often had young people aged 16 and above helping at the Desk and it remains a brilliant way to get something really impressive on your CV. The variety of activities involved means you can gain experience in areas as diverse as marketing, events management, journalism, retail, arts administration, market research and much more. Here are some of the things young volunteers have said about us in the past:

"Volunteering at the Fringe desk is a fantastic way to gain an insight into how a major arts festival is run. I loved meeting the performers and being able to help the public, as well as having the freedom to be creative in decorating the desk displays."

"When I volunteered with the Buxton Fringe Festival, I was a part of a fun, helpful, engaging workforce.”

“The best moments that I had when volunteering for the Fringe were helping the customers and members of the public out with the questions that they had, and also it was the free flapjacks…”

It is helpful if you can offer to do more than one shift at the Fringe Desk because the more familiar you are with everything, the more useful you are and the more fun it all becomes! We’d also love to extend the invitation to out-going people of any age who would like to get involved at the desk and enjoy a little Fringe stardust. 

If you’d like to know more, why not email info@buxtonfringe.org.uk or see our website for further information on all the different ways you can support the Fringe - and not just during July.

 

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe

Venues - Vital Tips for Fringe Entrants

So you're planning on entering the Buxton Festival Fringe and need some inspiration for booking a venue? I get the lowdown from our friendly venues team.

 

“It’s a mistake to sit back and relax thinking July’s ages away”, advises long term Fringer, Pam. “If you want to get your ideal venue in terms of size, location and cost, you need to be quick off the mark.” And with dates at the popular Green Man Gallery already nearly fully booked, there’s no time to lose. As she says: "It's best to get the venue sorted and make your entry ASAP to take advantage of our discounted entry rates." 

 

Venues colleague Sandra adds: “We have over 50 venues on our books, with everything from pubs, cafes and church halls to outside spaces such as parks, woods and bandstands. There’s even a cave!”  

 

So something to suit any type of show? “Yes, the range is huge, performers can find the full list with details on our website”, she tells me. See https://buxtonfringe.org.uk/venues.html

 

I ask the pair to pick out a few examples to demonstrate the wide range of choice. After a lot of discussion I beat them down to five examples. 

 

With a prime location in central Buxton, longstanding Fringe favourites Underground at The Clubhouse offer full technical support including lighting and sound as well as ticket sales. Underground have announced they are now taking bookings. Find full details on Underground at no.21 on our venues list.

 

Located just outside town on the A515, The High Peak Bookstore has been gaining popularity with Fringe performers over recent years. The cafe and store makes a lovely setting for spoken word performances but would also suit more intimate music and theatre acts. The Bookstore is listed at no.30.

 

Back in Buxton, The Arches is a brick-vaulted space set in an old corn mill. This quirky and unique performance space is under new management and they are keen to host Fringe events. Find the Arches at no.110 on the venues page.

 

The elegant Victorian Pump Room, located bang opposite the Crescent Hotel, houses Buxton’s Visitor Centre during the day and can be hired as a venue in the evenings. This year the Pump Room will be offering Fringe entrants free 20-minute daytime slots every day of the Fringe in which to advertise their events. The free showcase slots must be booked in advance. Email them at hello@buxtoncrescenttrust.org. Full details are under no.84.

 

Meanwhile Higher Buxton is home to a new kid on the block, The Eco Cafe. The team tells me that this recently opened venue offers a range of rooms with intimate and alternative atmospheres. It is listed at no.130.

 

So any final words of advice for entrants?

 

“Make sure you talk to the venue and have a checklist of the things that are important for you such as size, lighting, layout, support as well as cost”, says Pam. 

 

“If possible, visit the venue in advance and don’t forget to look at our venues page”, adds Sandra.

 

So don’t delay, get your venue sorted today!

 

To contact the venues team, contact the venues co-ordinator via https://buxtonfringe.org.uk/contact.html

Carole

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe

Volunteering is rewarding with the Fringe

The beginning of a new year is a great time to take on new challenges and reflect on the last 12 months.

Back in April 2020 I wrote about joining the Fringe committee and, whilst enjoying the experience, not being sure about what role I could play to help support the team. Since then I've been involved in lots of things from delivering leaflets to ringing care homes, planting orange flowers, helping on the desk, writing blogs and reviewing performances.

But it was in November 2021 that things really changed for me.  November's Fringe AGM coincided with my 2-year anniversary of volunteering with the committee.

Best of all after 18 months of Zoom, the meeting was held in person at the Green Man Gallery. It was so exciting to meet performers, supporters, Fringe Friends and other committee members face to face and just to be able to chat.  In fact everyone was having such a good time that Chair Stephen had to call us to order more than once.

Then the serious business got going.  Stephen thanked all the performers who despite the lack of opportunities to rehearse brought such great acts to the Fringe this year. He thanked the Friends for their ongoing support and venues for keeping audiences and performers safe.

Then it was time to elect officers of the Fringe.  Stephen seemed slightly surprised that no one wanted to stand against him as Chair (no fear, we've all seen how much work it is). 

Somewhat to my surprise I found myself nominated as Secretary, taking over from the lovely Gaye. Thankfully Gaye is still going to run the Fringe Desk so I just have to take the notes at meetings, which sounds easy doesn't it? But then I found myself getting caught up in the discussions as I usually do and only remembering just in time to write down decisions and actions!

There's such a range of activities that you can get involved in and the committee are all so welcoming, I've been able to use my existing skills and more excitingly, developed new ones.

So I really didn't need to have worried about finding my niche and for the next 12 months at least that's going to be as Fringe Secretary.

If you're looking for a volunteering opportunity then don't hesitate get in touch; we'd love to meet you!

If you would like to find out more about getting involved with the Fringe or becoming a Friend click here  https://buxtonfringe.org.uk/volunteer.html 

Carole Garner

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe

Artists! The Fringe needs you!

I used to love art at school and I am amazed and impressed how some people have the skill to capture a scene or a mood with just a few strokes of a pencil or make a sculpture out of a piece of wood or transform a hank of felt into something beautiful.

My childhood enjoyment of painting has developed into a love of visiting galleries, exhibitions, art fairs and even art shops where I love reading the names of the colours and holding the pencils. Whenever we go on holiday a visit to a local gallery or studio is always top of our list.  We love finding unique pieces that remind us of our trips, even if it is just a postcard. Mind you we don't always agree and some heated debates have taken place!

So I'm very excited that the Fringe has launched a competition to design the programme cover for the 2022 festival. Local artists and enthusiasts (professional and amateur)  are being asked to come up with designs that portray the spirit of the Fringe in their own personal style.

There are just a few rules and some hints on what the committee would like to see but mostly its up to the artist.  "We don't want to stifle creativity; we are really keen to see what ideas people will come up with", Steph Billen Fringe Marketing Officer told me. "We are lucky to have lots of artists and art groups locally so we are hoping for a good response" she added.

I can't wait to see the entries; how do artists perceive the Fringe and how will they convey that?  What medium will they choose? Will their work be abstract or traditional? 

The closing date is 10th January 2022, and as well as seeing their design in print the lucky winner will receive £100 prize! 

Now where did I put my tin of Smartie Orange paint?

For full details on how to enter see https://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/artcompetition2022.html

Carole Garner
Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe

Everyone needs friends and Fringe Friends are the best!

Picture credit Ian J. Parkes

Like lots of small local charities, the Fringe relies on the generous support of our Friends.  The last 18 months have been difficult for everyone. With theatres and venues closed, the arts were very hard hit.  With no live performances and no income from entry fees, the Fringe was especially grateful to our Friends for standing by us.

We are fortunate to have a loyal group of over 170 Friends. Some have been Fringe Friends for years and some have only joined recently. Many are local but we also have friends in Scotland, Yorkshire and London.

We really missed seeing our Friends in 2020 - although our zoom catch up with Friends was good I think you'll agree its just not the same as meeting in person.

We were lucky that we were able to put on a successful Fringe this Summer, albeit with limitations;  it was not possible to hold our usual Launch Party, Fringe Sunday had to be cancelled and the Awards Event had to be scaled down although everybody really enjoyed the chance to get together in the open air in the beautiful setting of the Serpentine Community Garden.

Thankfully things are slowly getting back to normal (whatever that may mean). We are planning to hold a face-to-face  AGM on November 17th and hopefully our usual Christmas party - news on this to follow!  We can't wait to see all our old Friends and catch up on their news.

We are also keen to make new Friends. So if you know anyone who likes music, theatre, comedy and art then point them in our direction.

Alternatively a Friends subscription would make a great gift! Benefits include invites to exclusive events, getting the scoop on what's on, reductions in ticket prices and the (orange) glow of supporting a worthwhile cause, all for just £10 per year.

If you want to know more go to https://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/fringefriends.html or join up at the AGM or Christmas party.

So a huge Fringe thank you to all our Friends, past, present and future.

Carole Garner

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe