Three more of our Fringe performers share a snapshot of their entries this year. Although they are all completely different, they all have a historic slant to transport you back in time. Below follow extracts from their press releases giving a flavour of what’s in store from Spoken Word author Shirley Mann, Theatre entrant Pendleton Sixth Form College School of Theatre and in Film, silent screen musicians, Brief Encounter Duo. For full details of their show times, venues etc, see our listings on our website.
If you are a Fringe performer who would like to be featured in our blog, please send
your press release to marketing@buxtonfringe.org.uk. Thanks to all those who have
already done so - watch this space!
Shirley Mann : How WWII Changed Women’s Lives Forever
Wirksworth award-winning author, Shirley Mann, is doing a talk at the Buxton Fringe
entitled ‘World War II- How It Changed Women’s Lives Forever.’
Her four novels, one of which won the Romantic Saga Novel Award in 2021 and
another which was nominated for this year’s Popular Romantic Fiction Award, are all
inspired by former World War II servicewomen.
A former BBC journalist, Shirley’s first book, ‘Lily’s War’ was prompted by the
wartime romance of her mother who was a WAAF in Bomber Command and her
father, who was in the Eighth Army. With the offer of a publishing contract, her plans
for retirement were put on hold while she raced around the country to talk to as many
ex-servicewomen as possible and the result was three more books about the roles of
women during wartime.
‘I was lucky enough to meet ATA pilot, Mary Ellis in my research for ‘Bobby’s War,’
Shirley commented, ‘and then I went on to meet Land Army girls, plotters and the
families of policewomen in the Isle of Man for my other books. I feel so incredibly
privileged to have met them and to have heard their stories, especially as they are
now all gone- which means I’m desperate to make sure their legacy is preserved.’
Shirley’s latest book, ‘Bridget’s War’ is about a policewoman in the Isle of Man
internment camp. It’s a little-known fact that when Churchill rounded up anyone living
in Britain, they didn’t know what to do with, German Jews were forced to rub
shoulders with German Nazi supporters behind barbed wire on the south of the
island.
Further information at https://shirleymannauthor.home.blog/ Twitter – shirleymann07
Instagram – shirleymannauthor
The Pendleton Codebreakers: Breaking the Code
By Hugh Whitemore (performed by arrangement with Concord Theatricals).
Directed by Ben Ventress, a superbly talented cast of young actors from the
Pendleton School of Theatre will perform this moving and powerful biopic of the
great Alan Turing for two nights only. The production was first performed to great
public acclaim last November.
Audiences will be treated to a night of exceptional theatre, which was described as
being ‘worthy of a West End production’ at its last outing.
Brief Encounter Duo: Silent Film Piccadilly (1929) With Live Music
Step back to the 1920s and experience the magic of cinema as it used to be! Brief
Encounter Duo are delighted to present the silent film ‘Piccadilly’ with live music in
Buxton Festival Fringe. Screen goddess Anna May Wong sizzles as Shosho, a
scullery maid who rises to stardom in the glitzy Piccadilly nightclub in London.
This leads to a strange tale of jealousy, betrayal, forbidden love and a mysterious
murder. This classic British film was a rare success on both sides of the Atlantic
despite the advent of ‘Talkies’ two years earlier.
Chris and Veronica Perrin are following in the footsteps of Chris’s grandparents who
accompanied silent films in the 1920s. Using nine different instruments, the duo play
vintage jazz and silent film music complementing the unfolding drama. Expect to
hear at least one instrument you’ve never heard before!
This unique show has received wonderful reviews which can be viewed along with
other information about the film on the website briefencounterduosilentfilms.co.uk
“An absolute gem of a show. Don’t miss it.”
Carole Garner
