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
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