![Buxton Festival Fringe](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cXdgJImUZY/VPSpEwS47FI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/1javEMmGmYM/s840/BFF-blogheader-2015.jpg)
Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 21st July 2024
The biggest open-access Fringe between Brighton and Edinburgh, Buxton Fringe hosts hundreds of performances with music, theatre, comedy, spoken word, dance, film, children's events, street theatre, visual arts and more.
www.buxtonfringe.org.uk Facebook.com/buxtonfringe Twitter and Instagram: @buxtonfringe
Sunday 30 June 2024
Hold the Front Page 4 - Take a Trip Back in Time with Buxton Festival Fringe
Friday 28 June 2024
Hold the Front Page 3 - Feeling it at Buxton Fringe
Pepita Productions/ Sweet Productions: Zeit-Heist: More than a Feeling
Press releases from our performers offer fascinating extra details about their shows. Here two very different shows, both at Underground at Spring Gardens, share an interest in psychology and why we feel the way we do. Read these press release extracts to find out more about Julia Knight's Zeit-Heist in the Comedy category and Barbara Diesel's and Helen Parry's Dear Eliza in Theatre.
For full details of their shows' 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!
After a premiere at Brighton Fringe Festival last year and 3 award nominations and 1 award win at Liverpool Fringe festival, comedy performer, musician and psychologist, Julia Knight brings her second solo show to Underground venues as part of Buxton Festival Fringe.
“Impressively evocative” Chortle
Barbara Diesel & Helen Parry: Dear Eliza
Bold, raw, and cynical: Dear Eliza is a one-woman short play interrogating the deterioration of a friendship under the strain of mental illness and the fear of being a burden. In a media culture that either villainises or victimises the mentally ill, Dear Eliza navigates the grey area with guts and defiance. Utilising a masterful blend between heartbreak and humour, this not-to-miss performance strives to redefine our perceptions on what it ‘looks like’ to be mentally ill, whilst showing us the power in saying out loud what we’d all rather keep inside of our heads.
Following a short tour of the UK in February and a successful run at the Brighton Fringe Festival, Dear Eliza comes to the Buxton Fringe Festival this July. Shortlisted for the Best Newcomer award at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival (2023) and celebrated as a ‘must-watch performance’ (***** - Better Than Words) that is ‘captivating from start to finish’ (****1/2 – A Youngish Perspective). ‘It is a difficult task to capture the audience as beautifully as Diesel does’ (**** - Adventures In Theatreland). Due to strong language, and discussions of mental illness and suicide, this show is recommended for ages 16+.
Writer and performer Barbara Diesel brings her debut play to life in collaboration with director Helen Parry, best known for her work on On Me by Caroline Lamb (Off West End Award winner) and The Day the World Came to Huddersfield by Stephen Hornby (Best Drama Award winner; QueerLit Best LGBTQ+ Production winner). Diesel and Parry are thrilled to be bringing Dear Eliza to the Buxton Fringe Festival, with Diesel stating: “This is a story that doesn’t end when the audience leaves the theatre. We’ve had audiences sharing their own stories back, or returning the night after with family and friends, telling them ‘you need to watch this’ – that is a truly special feeling. We can’t wait to get to share Dear Eliza at the Buxton Fringe Festival.”
The production is also proud to be raising money for the mental health charity, Mind, alongside performances.
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe
Thursday 27 June 2024
Hold the Front Page 2 - Mixing it Up at Buxton Fringe
Black Liver's Devilled Eggs |
Press releases are flooding in now from Fringe performers eager to attract audiences to their shows. Genre-mashing seems to be in this year as revealed in the following enticing extracts. Theatre company Black Liver’s mix of mystery and comedy sits alongside comedian Adrian Poynton’s take on dealing with grief and composer Brian Wilshere’s musical fusions.
For full details of their shows' 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!
Black Liver - Devilled Eggs
Featuring a live band, choir and a whole host of stories gathered during the creation of the show.
Commissioned by Black Grand Theatre. Part of Blackpool Grand’s Storytelling Festival and Show Town Comedy Festival.
Welcome to the Dakota Guest House! The most glamorous B&B this side of Blackpool! The Dakota is the true spirit of Variety; comedy, music and mystery are resident guests here and every room has its tale to tell.
Let your hosts, Roman and Prudence flip through their guest book and regale you with showbiz stories and anecdotes. From their heyday as the B&B to the stars to their present day haven of secrets, Ro and Pru will introduce you to the characters that reside in The Dakota. Expect songs, sketches and verse as each guest room opens.
From acclaimed theatre makers Black Liver, Devilled Eggs performing at Underground is their latest two-hander play about a guest house over the span of a one night stay (breakfast included).
Like the eggs The Dakota serves at breakfast, this show is fresh, cheeky and devilishly spicy!
‘Amazing stories and wily lyrics’ Liverpool Theatre Fest
Adrian Poynton - Ashes
Life-affirming comedy from the creator of BBC comedy White Van Man returning to the stage for the first time in over decade. Performing at Underground.
Recently, I’ve been thinking of a thing.
It’s a collection of stories about some stuff that happen. Stuff that plays on my mind.
Exciting huh.
In a nutshell, my Dad scattered my mum's ashes without me.
I'm an only child.
So... yeah. That happened.
Anyway… I started thinking I’d maybe turn them into a funny film or a play or something, like I normally do. For other people to read and perform.
But recently I’ve realised that these are my stories to tell.
So… please come join me as I bumble through them on stage, laugh a lot, cry a bit, laugh some more and — hopefully — make you do the same.
True stories of ridiculous families, local pubs, love, dying and trampolining.
As a stand up Adrian has performed all over the world with both his acclaimed solo shows and tour supporting some of the UK’s most famous faces. Having stepped away from stand up to focus on his hugely successful screenwriting career, 2024 sees Adrian return to the stage for the first time in almost a decade with his most honest, personal, hilarious and heartbreaking of shows.
Ptarmigan - Ptarmigan in Concert
Brian describes the music as a “Prog/Jazz/Folk/Classical fusion”. The complexity of Prog Rock, including electric guitar solos, is combined with jazz harmony, folk influence in the form of a prominent acoustic guitar, and a touch of Classical style from Violinist Rob Jourdain, already well known locally as a member of Shanks’ Pony.
Performing at High Peak Bookstore and Cafe, Ptarmigan play a mix of songs and instrumentals, all composed by Brian, who now has 5 commercially released albums to his credit as well as being a published composer in the USA and the UK. His music has been performed all over Europe and at many venues in the UK including the Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Tickets for the concert are available at buxtonoperahouse.org/Ptarmigan. Listen to the music here.
Moira Kean
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe
Wednesday 19 June 2024
Hold the Front Page 1 - Intimate Theatre at Buxton Fringe
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John Arthur Sweet of Hard Times |
Hard Times - Outside, in the Laneway, Under the Stars
outside, in the laneway, under the stars is an autobiographical monologue in two parts that will be presented at the Buxton Fringe for four performances (two performances of each part) during the first four days of the Fringe, at the Green Man Gallery. It uses a mélange of traditional storytelling, spoken word poetry, and theatrical monologue to tell Sweet’s story of growing up as a queer kid in a small Ontario town in the 1970s. In the face of relentless bullying, and in the absence of any knowledge of what ‘those people’ (ie queer folk) were all about, he took refuge in theatre as ‘the alternative to real life’, and an escape from the horrors of the unfolding AIDS crisis.
Michael Sabbaton: The Temple
Adapted, devised and performed by Sabbaton himself, The Temple, which last set sail in 2014, is an epic of the horror/sci-fi genre. Originally written by Lovecraft in 1920, it predates contemporary stories such as Alien and Event Horizon but establishes familiar thematic lines. Featuring new material for this anniversary showing, this immersive production captivates with chilling performance and mesmerising soundscape.
It is 1917. When a strange ivory, carved head comes into the possession of the commander of the U-29, the boat becomes cursed as it is drawn into a spiralling descent of dissension and madness. Nightmares, weird feelings and visions of dead sailors begin to haunt the crew. An explosion permanently disables the U-boat’s ability to surface and as it is pulled to the depths by an uncharted, underwater current, a demonic, siren song begins to drive the crew towards insanity and death...
“Sabbaton conveys the staggering ambition of the original text with an added degree of psychological depth” What’s on Stage
On the Spot Theatre Company - A Mid-Course Correction
On the Spot Theatre Company of Chicago is pleased to bring to the Peak District the UK premiere of a new play, A Mid-Course Correction, written and directed by Mike Brayndick. No stranger to the British theatre scene, Mike’s adaptation of Sons and Lovers has played at the Bloomsbury Theatre after touring England and Wales. Mike’s play, How to Make a Rainbow, about the art and life of Joseph Cornell was also previously featured at the St. Ives Festival. Now, On The Spot Theatre is thrilled to present four performances of A Mid-Course Correction as part of the Buxton Fringe festival with the preview performance in New Mills at the Spring Bank Arts Center followed by three performances in Buxton itself at the United Reform Church.
Come enjoy this intriguing play about a young mother on a day out from her family responsibilities, a two-hander that is thought provoking, down-to-earth, and fun! Emma Friend and Casey Brayndick, after a five-week run in Chicago, are excited to be presenting this show in the Peak District as part of the Festival Fringe.
In the new drama by Mike Brayndick, A Mid-Course Correction, a young mother goes astray. Or does she? Let AI decide? Decide yourself. Time-travel into a Kate Chopin story. Enjoy the UK Premiere of an intriguing literary adventure inspired by the short story, A Pair of Silk Stockings, by Kate Chopin. A Mid-Course Correction explores the importance of both critical thinking and imagination in determining our place in the world and forging possibilities for a better future.
Following the company’s Buxton appearance, it will be performing at the Gatehouse Theatre in London.
Further information: http://onthespottheatrecompany.weebly.com/
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe
Saturday 15 June 2024
Summer Showers bring Fringe Flowers
With grey skies, chilly winds and almost daily rain you wouldn't believe that it's June!
But a bit of bad weather doesn't stop the Fringe and June is the time when we start to turn the town orange by planting our orange floral Hot Spots. Originally the brainchild of much-missed vice chair Viv Marriott, the colourful flowers are designed to help brighten up Buxton over the summer and are now a fixed event on our calendar.
I and a team of green-fingered volunteers met up in front of the Opera House this week to plant up one of the big four tier planters supplied by HPBC.
As we filled the space with watering cans, trowels, plants and other gear, we started to attract the attention of passers by. "This looks good but why are they all orange?" , some asked, while others remarked: "The ones last year looked lovely; it's great you're doing them again" or "I'm taking photos of flowers in the town; can I have one of you all looking busy?"
So with public approval secured, it was time to get planting. There was just one problem - we only had enough compost for one level. We were just working out who should rush off to the shops when the day was saved by the guys from the parks department.
Oliver and his pal turned up in a truck filled with fresh, reclaimed soil from Waterswallows. And boy was it fresh! It was still steaming and truth be told, it hummed a bit too! But it's good stuff, fine and filled with nutrients - just right for young plants.
So planting commenced with lots of discussion on the arrangement of the various orange flowers. We are really pleased with the result, and we hope you enjoy seeing them too.
Over the next couple of weeks the team will be decorating the Fringe Information Desk and surrounding area in Pavilion Gardens. We were also delighted to be invited to help residents at Haddon Hall Care Home sow and pot on orange seeds recently.
A number of local businesses and community groups are continuing to support the scheme again this year by planting their own pots and hanging baskets; we are really grateful to them.
People who came to our Springboard party earlier in the year were offered free seed packs and the response was overwhelmingly positive. We had to make up loads more packs to give out at the May Day Spring Fair!
If you received some of our seeds, we hope you enjoy planting your own mini Hot Spot and seeing them grow. If you missed out, it's not to late to plant some orange flowers of your own and do post them on social media and tag us in #Buxtonfringehotspot. After all, what could be more cheerful than bright orange flowers even on a grey summer's day?
To find out more about Hot Spots contact secretary@buxtonfringe.org.uk
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe
Monday 10 June 2024
Buxton Fringe takes pride in Pride
It’s Pride Month and Buxton Festival Fringe has always celebrated Pride during the Fringe with the Buxton Pride Picnic. Last year, like most of July, it didn't only rain on their parade but drowned the whole of Buxton for the whole day.
That led to a cancellation of the event but Buxton Pride regrouped, got bigger and has been reborn as High Peak Pride, becoming a community interest company.
They have been running events throughout the year including a viewing party to celebrate our hometown queen being part of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Those missing Haus of Dench in this year's programme will be delighted to know that Kate Butch will be making an appearance at the Pride Picnic on the Saturday 20th July in Pavilion Gardens. They are also having an after party this year which will be held at the Buxton Brewery Cellar Bar where High Peak Pride have been running monthly social evenings.
This summer's Fringe also sees the return of the popular Discover Buxton tours. One of these focuses on successful Victorian gay businesswoman Ann Lister whose secrets you may be familiar with from Sally Wainwright’s BBC drama, Gentleman Jack.The drama was based on the secret diaries of Ann Lister, translated from coded entries that she made in the 1980s. Amongst the many trips Ann made was a trip to Buxton. Discover Buxton’s Sex and Sensibility performance focuses on her three-month stay at the Buxton Crescent. The drama involves walking around Buxton so if booking this show, be prepared for all weathers; as the Pride Picnic found out last year, the weather is often changeable.
Among the other LGBTQIA+ shows in the Buxton fringe this year are Hard Times theatre company from Canada with a one-man monologue about a gay, small-town kid who found refuge in theatre. Outside, In the Laneway, Under the Stars is being performed at the Green Man Gallery.
Matthew Drapper returns to the Fringe with Inverts at the Lee Wood Hotel, a play about psychiatrist Havelock Ellis who published first person interviews with LGTBQIA+ people. Expect stories of love, desire and bodies.
Buxton Fringe fave Angela Bra also returns to the Green Man Gallery in not one, not two, but three shows. Expect the usual drag fun and games and of course a few songs.
We have some new Buxton Festival Fringe merchandise this year in the form of a Fringe orange brolly so let's hope for good weather but if you're attending either the Ann Lister tour or the Pride Picnic, may I suggest investing in one? You can pick one up at the Fringe Desk in the Pavilion Gardens along with Fringe programmes, flyers and friendly advice.
Rob Harrison
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe