Whether it is through the story itself, the unique location in which
it is performed, or the sheer quality of the performance, this year
Fringe theatre is set to take audiences into another world.
The magic begins with Butterfly’s adaptation of As You Like It,
uniquely set in Poole’s Cavern where live acoustic music, love and
laughter help create a lively “Shakespeare lock-in” as the audience
moves through the atmospheric caves. The enchantment continues with The
Ash Girl, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s darkly beautiful retelling of
Cinderella performed by the REC Youth Theatre Company, and don’t miss
the most charmed play of all, Uproot Theatre Company’s A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, performed in just one frenetic hour by two actors.
Shakespeare continues to gain a magical twist with inamoment theatre
company presenting King Lear (Alone), a thought-provoking reworking of
the original, whilst Fringe Award winners, Smooth Faced Gentlemen are
bringing a new, all-female production of Othello, plus their
stripped-down, ramped-up version of Titus Andronicus. Steve Larkin,
also adapts a classic with, Tes - Tess of the D’urbervilles Re-imagined,
reinventing Hardy’s heroine as a teenaged boy from a Newcastle council
estate.
A more spooky atmosphere is also to be found, with The Rats in the
Walls by Alexander Arts taking us to sinister Exham Priory, and Peaceful
from The Off-Off-Off- Broadway Company focusing on a woman hiding from
ghosts in her labyrinthine mansion. Both of these shows are performed in
the distinctive setting of Underground Venues, also the place to see
the classic gothic horror story The Turn of the Screw performed by
That’s My Cue Productions.
Audiences are invited ghost-hunting with the Ghosthunters’ Club by
Cul-de sac theatre set over the five creaky floors of the Scriveners
Bookshop. Alternatively Lady M Youth Theatre brings a unique portrayal
of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic poem in The Raven, whilst another young
company, Dilate Theatre, brings the audience a gruesome murder mystery
treat in Murder Weapon.
Action and adventure is also delivered with Curious Grin Productions
offering an energetic and exciting production of Around the World in 80
Days. Rhema Theatre Company meanwhile tells powerfully dramatic true
stories from the world of human trafficking in The ‘It’s Not Fair!’.
The magic of musical theatre is also very present in this year’s
Fringe. Far West Theatre presents Jacques Brel: Une Vie a Mille Temps, a
brand-new musical piece based on the life and works of the famous
Belgian composer, whilst Departure Lounge, a musical by Sudden Impulse
Theatre company, tells a more modern story, about four British boys
returning home from a lads’ holiday in the sun. Behind the Blinds by
Dreamshed Theatre invites us to a musical revue featuring comic and
tragicomic songs, whilst Jim MacCool’s Parliament of Fowls, by the
Performance Poetry Society, combines poetry and music in a magical
combination, with a brand new version of Geoffrey Chaucer’s parable
dream vision.
Sometimes all it takes is just two actors to bring a play magically
to life. Seriously Funny by Dreamshed Theatre, portrays Tony Hancock and
Kenneth Williams both on and off stage, whilst Sudden Impulse Theatre
Company, brings to life Two by Jim Cartwright, just as the writer
originally intended.
Who's bringing magic to your Fringe? Do add your comments about shows via the website's Enhanced Diary or in the Comments Book at the Fringe Information Desk.
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
