Sexiest Fringe? Not yet.
We are starting to gather momentum for Fringe 2010 with entries now in double figures. February is the last month during which entrants can join Fringe 2010 for just £45 and you should anticipate another 20 or so entries before the end of the month. So keep an eye on the website www.buxtonfringe.org.uk for all the latest news.
Last time we told you about what will probably be the biggest Fringe event - the Military Tattoo in The Dome. The event has grown so big - in terms of the number of bands and personnel - that there will now be just the one show rather than two. There are 750 tickets only. Don't blame us if you miss out by leaving it too late.
Another big, and new event, for 2010 is the Buxton Art Trail. The visual arts have always been an important part of the Fringe and a group of local artists are working to put on a trail around the town showcasing a variety of craftspeople and artists. The extent and range of work will depend to some extent on how many spaces can be found to display the work and how many artists want to join in. You have until the end of March either to offer to host some artwork or to register as an artist for the Trail. Contact Adi (01298 78637) or Suzanne (01298 214319) if you can provide space to exhibit work or if you want to display your own work. The Trail will be open over the first weekend of the Fringe - 10th and 11th of July.
While you are waiting for the Fringe to start - and if you are in Buxton on a Wednesday evening - you could do far worse than get along to the Eagle on the Market Place. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month (so February 10 and 24, March 10 and 24) from 9pm Club Acoustic provides opportunities for local musicians to sing and play. The standard of musicianship and entertainment is always high. You can probaly still pick-up a copy of the 2009 Christmas CD Club Acoustic 4 (try the Violin Shop also on the Market Place). It is a bit unfair to select from the CD put two of the younger performers stand out (to these ears anyway). Emily Dart's voice has astonishing depth these days and her performance of Moondance (accompanied by dad Bernie) is a joy. If this was Desert Island Discs I'd take Patrick Smith's Clap Hands which is probably the leftfield selection on the CD - the profits from sales go to Shelter.
Stained glass window, Tideswell Church. Photo by Dave Pape - see http://commons.wikimedia
We've reached the stage where the start for the next Fringe is closer than the start of the last one. There is plenty of news and we can expect more news to follow soon. Two or three people - who must have blog shaped holes in their lives - have asked me "why so little blogging of late?" Well I didn't want to be making stuff up
every week - but from now on most weeks should bring fresh tidings. So let's go.
You probably now by now that Fringe 2010 - the 31st - runs from Wednesday July 7 through to Sunday July 25. We have four entries already -things don't get going in earnest until January - but one of these is likely to be the biggest Fringe event ever! Now as my daughter said to me only the other day "Dad, I've told you a million times - cut the hyperbole." However, the Buxton Military Tattoo will have a cast and audience of hundreds. There will be just two shows - at the Dome on Saturday July 10th. Tickets will be available from the Opera House soon.
Other entries include our dear friends the Tideswell Male Voice Choir. They will be performing twice; at St John's Church, Buxton on July 14th and on their home patch (pictured above) on July 24th.
Finally - in terms of current entries - the library theatre touring company (I think they intend lower case - I'm aware that capital letters are usually used for the names of things, thank you very much) are bringing two shows to the United Reform Church in Hardwick Square. William Douglas Home's romantic comedy
The Kingfisher and
My Brilliant Divorce (which was a West End hit for Dawn French) will certainly entertain.
If you can't wait until July - and why should you? - Fringe 2009 stars are performing in Buxton in the coming weeks. The wine bar/cafe
Beltane has closed sad to say. Two shows there last July got rave reviews. Men Diamler - who is just one chap and a guitar (but is also so much more) - plays at the Orchestra Pit, the Old Hall Hotel on January 30th at 8pm. (Check out his MySpace or Face book pages).
Gilad Atzmon - international sax virtuoso - played with a local quartet at
Beltane. He is playing with his Orient House Ensemble as part of the Opera House's
Four Four Time Festival. Gilad plays on February 17th, 8.30pm at the Pavilion Gardens Lounge. This Blog will be there for sure.
If Gilad isn't quite your cup of tea Friends of the Fringe may be found at the Railway Hotel, Bridge Street that night. There is a screening of the film
The Edge of Heaven. I'm told that it concerns "a prostitute, her ageing admirer, a radical student, her lesbian lover and a scandalised mother. Set in Germany and Turkey it knits three stories into one elegant, complex drama." Free wine for Friends of the Fringe before the screening. You might need a glass or two afterwards too.
One of our Fringe favourites is Dr Johnny Facade. We won't hide our enthusiasm and affection for one of Buxton's finest. His brand of magic and comedy could be described as unique. Better to say it is fast, witty, clever and entertaining. You'll be amazed. He is at the Pauper's Pit, the Old Hall Hotel on 29/30 January at 7.30. Obviously a clash with Men Diamler - do the magic on 29th and MD on the 30th.
We don't usually do pin-ups but Richard Parry (Pirates in the Caribbean) has been going down a storm and we thought you might like this souvenir. Last show - 25th July 2.30-3.30 at United Reformed Church
I think Sir Alex Ferguson coined this graphic phrase (our very sensitive Blog provider won't allow some words, you'll be glad to know. B** is one such) to indicate that there was now no going back; whatever we decide and do now may be decisive and we'll have to live with the consequences. Given that he is a man of few words you can see why he went for the more concise image. Well it's now the sharp end of the Fringe - just seven more days and the last chance to catch some shows. Choose carefully, choose well and get out there - don't find yourself regretting what you may have missed. We tipped you off about What became of the red shoes? for example - it was great, but is now finished.
Anyway in no particular order some of the final week's highlights include:
Wednesday-Saturday - Bright Cecilia, Sacred Medieval Singing in Poole's Cavern (p13 in printed programme)
Thursday - Gilad Atzmon with Critical Mass at Beltane - world class contemporary jazz (p10 - this is £5 and not Free)
Monday (tonight's final show) - High Jinx - magic and circus in the Pauper's Pit (p28)
Saturday-Sunday - Art Fair in the Dome (p25)
Monday-Thursday - George Telfer as Sir John Gielgud (p20)
Friday-Saturday - The Cutting - compelling drama (p19)
Wednesday - Monkey Poet - award-winning contemporary poetry (p16)
Friday-Saturday - Sam Dunkley - engaging singer and story-teller (p13)
Thursday-Saturday - Operatastic - opera highlights (p12)
Wednesday - Accordes - early music (p9)
Tuesday-Friday - Spiltmilk - show-stopping dance troupe (p6)
Saturday - Parannoyance - magic and comedy from Johnny Facade (p4)
Saturday - Tom Levitt - history of comedy from High Peak's MP (p4)
Friday-Saturday - Family Victim - locally produced show, full of energy (p3)
You can see reviews of those shows that have opened already on the Fringe website - www.buxtonfringe.org.uk - but all of the above come recommended. Go through the programme diary now and make your plans!
Spirit of the Fringe - photo competiton
This competition is open to all young photographers - under 25. Entries need to be at the Fringe Desk - by the Opera House, in front of the Conservatory - by 5pm this Friday. £50 to the winner - see the Stop Press section of the Fringe website - www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Part of the Buxton Community School's well-dressing celebrating the 30th Buxton Festival Fringe (photo by Jess Savage)That was the judges' verdict on the Buxton Fringe float which formed part of the parade around the town's streets on Carnival day last Saturday. For those that missed the parade - well there are some video highlights on the
Buxton Advertiser website -
www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk
Week One
Well if you've only just joined the party you've missed some cracking stuff (including the best show ever at the Fringe - Ian Heath's review of Men Diamler at
Beltane on 9th July) but there's no point crying about that when there is so much still to look forward to. Of the shows that opened in the first week, and that are continuing, there are some that caused particular excitement.
Robbie Carnegie saw
The Cutting at the Swimming Pool Activity Room (this could probably happen only in Buxton) and recommends it very highly - next performances are on 24th and 25th July.
Keith Savage reckons that
the feelgood gig could be
Helen and the Lovenotes with their acapella jazz standards. They're at the Barrel Room on the 16th and 21st July. Keith also recommends an art exhibition -
Planet Domestos and Beyond - every afternoon (2pm-6pm) at 18 White Knowle Road.
Martin Wood has been busy taking in theatre - he reckons Three's Company are on top-form with their new radio detective spoof
Adventure Time. At the Pauper's Pit next on 23rd and 26th.
Barbara Wilson says that
Pirates in the Caribbean - a British song recital drawing on material from the late 19th, early 20th centuries - is a Fringe gem. That is at the United Reformed Church on the 17th, 19th and 25th.
Week Two
This week sees the return of some Fringe favourites.
George Telfer brings his portrayal of Sir John Gielgud back. This is legendary stuff and opens at the Pauper's Pit on the 19th. The award-winning and genial
Sam Dunkley is singing - if he gets through his stories quickly enough - in the Barrel Room from the 18th. The
Young REC Theatre Company continue in their exciting new venue - The Marquee by Poole's Cavern. Their musical comedy
Ye Gods! opens today - July 15th.
For full reviews and up-to-date programme information go to the Fringe 2009 pages of the website
http://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Johnny Facade (foreground) opens with his new show "Parannoyance" on Saturday, July 11th in the Pauper's Pit.
It's a bit unfair picking out shows after just two days but there is a danger that you'll miss some really good things - so it's part of our duty to alert you to whatever it is that is creating some early waves.
We'd already tipped High Jinx - with their mixture of magic and circus (all in the Pauper's Pit!) Fringe reviewer John Wilson thought it great fun. There are further shows on 18-20 July.
Katie Green presents an impressive and moving original dance piece - Lost and Found - at Buxton Community School. Just two more performances on 10th and 11th - this is one not to miss.
Dulcinea entertained at the Fringe launch party and their haunting, beautiful songs are well worth checking out - at the Barrel Room on 14-16 July. Also in the Barrel Room is Best Man Speech - which is compelling; by turns funny and shocking and well acted. Two more performances on the 10th and 12th.
There's loads of free art to see - don't save it for a rainy day. The Buxton Museum houses the Derbyshire Open Exhibition (amongst other things) which is always ambitious and wide-ranging. The newish picture-framing shop Apertures, 51 Buxton High Street, is showing some prints by Kelly Dyson in an exhibition called Don't Wake Me Up. Our reviewer, Stephanie Billen, was much-impressed.
Our reviews team is working hard to get reports posted as quickly as possible - go the Fringe 2009 section of the website for further tips. www.buxtonfringe.org.uk