Last Hurrahs
Some shows arrive today (Friday 23rd) and in some cases it's for one night only. So careful planning is required if you are to see these music events - you can't possibly see them all sorry to say:
Seachanges - three shows over the next three days at the Methodist Church 3-4pm sung by Susie Self with cello harmonies by Michael Christie;
Derbyshire County Youth Orchestra - at the Octagon tonight with a big Russian programme, this will be good value at £5;
Gill Sweeting & Not the Blue Cheese Tarts - at the Palace Hotel (Haddon Room) local, good-time bluesy stuff - pleasure pretty much guaranteed;
Margaret Ferguson - a stunning soprano voice accompanied by Jonathan Ellis and performing at the Methodist Church tonight. Margaret has a strong regional following and if you've heard her varied repertoire you'd know why.
Tough choices to be made there.
On the theatrical front some shows that are still running are catching the ears and eyes:
Hotel Europa at the Marquee - 5.45-6.35 - isn't the easiest theatrical experience but everyone who has seen it has been glad to have been part of the event;
also at the Marquee is Black Box Theatre with their brand-new show The Inconsistent Whisper of Insanity;
The Clock Master - Pauper's Pit today, tomorrow and Sunday - has impressed a lot of people. The darkest show for Families on the Fringe;
Turned Out Nice Again is at the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday - a slightly sweeter view of family life.
There is a new play opening the United Reformed Church at 6pm tonight - Somewhere Between Six and Seven it is called and it is. The company producing this worked inventively on Fringe Sunday promoting the show which explores 'the extraordinary lives of the ordinary'.
On Saturday there will be a performance of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 (at 16:10 in St John's). Earlier in the day you could have heard Keith Smith's final Jake Thackray show in the Barrel Room from 1-2pm. After Monteverdi trot up to the Methodist Church for a piano cavalcade with Jonathan Ellis (again).
Spend no more time reading this - there's a show to catch.
Published Date:
23/07/2010
Modified Date:
23/07/2010
The King is Back - Long Live the King
We had one Elvis on Fringe Sunday - and you can see him again on 23 July at the Grove Hotel in Come Back to Blackpool, Karen Carpenter.
Confusingly, you can also see Elvis in Are You Lonesome Tonight? in the Pauper's Pit. A bit like Father Christmas we'll have Elvises popping-up all over the place. Here's a bit more about Are You Lonseome Tonight? - which open on 21 July.
In the year he would have turned 75, a new play about the tour Elvis Presley never did is coming to Underground Venues for this year’s Buxton Festival Fringe, ahead of a five day stint at Edinburgh including the 33rd anniversary of Elvis' death.
Based on real events ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ begins on 16 August 1977. Dwight and Leanne Carter are on a journey from Memphis to Portland. It’s the day before their twentieth wedding anniversary, and their marriage has been going through a rocky patch. Dwight has decided that the best way to save their marriage is to get them tickets for all twelve dates of a tour by the man whose music brought them together. Sadly for Dwight, fate is set to intervene before he gets the chance to find out whether this was really such a good idea after all.
Denied, or spared, the chance to see him live, they have to decide whether to do the tour without Elvis, or go home to an uncertain future. Whatever they decide, their marriage depends on it, and, even after his death, Elvis holds the key to their future happiness.
Are You Lonesome Tonight? looks at how the music we grow up with can define our lives for far longer than we realise. The play is directed by Howie Ripley, cast are Alison Green (Leanne) and Andy Moseley (Dwight). The play is written by Andy Moseley. Originally a half hour piece, It won the Stagecoach Trophy for original work at the 2010 Elmbridge Drama Festival, and was performed at the Oxfringe Festival in April.
The Buxton shows are the first performances of a new extended version of the play, which takes the action forward to the next day, and 5 years later to show what happened to Dwight and Leanne, and whether or not they took the trip round the places Elvis never reached.
Published Date:
20/07/2010
Modified Date:
20/07/2010
Last Minute Comedy
Some intriguing comedy arriving for 23/24 July at Underground Venues.
From Sheffield is The So Be It Union. I liked this name - but they're going for a re-brand. See the very sensible answers to some dubious questions below.
1] The So Be It Union - well there is some sense of political awareness there. Is your comedy in any way political? If so call you tell us more?
Haha, our unfortunately-punny moniker for Buxton seemed like a good idea amid the joy of this year's New Year celebrations but there's not much more to read into than that. In fact, we're heading towards a name change after Buxton - Dark Matters.
As for the So Be It Union's political comedy, we have a few history and politics graduates in our cast, but its important to us that our show has a lot of variety of subject matter and styles. Political comedy can come off a bit contrived and can date quickly. We'd hate to exclude any audience members with a political message - just pop along, have a laugh with us and hopefully we can all head back home with smiles on our faces - even that could be a bit too political in these austere times?
2] Can we expect much punning and wordplay?
Wordplay is a quality of our show but its only one facet. We've got some physical sketches, visual gags, music, everything you could want really. However, if the lovely well town of Buxton wants puns, then who are we to pull the plug?
3] What other sources do you use for your comedy?
Our group originally met while forming The Shrimps, Shef Uni's first improvised comedy troupe, so our improv background definitely informs the writing process and gives us the chance to give a unique twist to each performance. There's a quirky mixture of sketches in our show that draw inspiration from all sorts of areas, from the observational to the more whimsical. Our 2009 comedy play at Buxton, 'What On Earth Is A Runcible Spoon?' allowed us to develop a narrative through different sketches and this is something we were conscious of with this show.
4] Is there anything you wouldn't try to get a laugh out of?
It would be nice to say that we wouldn't try to get a laugh out of long-since crumbled Eastern European empires but we so blantantly failed in that objective. Obviously there's humour to be found in things that people wouldn't normally laugh at, but its more important to strike a balance between that and not offending people unnecessarily. It's all too easy and not very clever to chose 'nasty' comedy; but it's more fun to perform a show that doesn't need to go down that route. Hopefully, that's what we've achieved.
5] Any comedians/writers you especially like? What about those that are rated - but you just don't get the point of?
There's a great community of young comedy troupes in the UK at the moment and we really enjoy mixing with talented comedians at festivals like Buxton. Naturally, we're looking forward to catching The Noise Next Door's new improv show, and there's a number of great sketch troupes like the Edinburgh-staples Pappy's and the Penny Dreadfuls that are a shining example of the best of live comedy. All 6 of us have our individual tastes and this definitely contributes to the variety in our show.
We'd hate to start any comedian feuds, so we'll maintain a diplomatic silence on the other half of the question! There's our political element coming through again!
Following a world tour Phil Buckley is back with 'Jokes Not Included'. Bit like a pub with no beer if you ask me. This is what he says:
Did you ever hear the one about the comedian who doesn’t tell jokes?
After touring the world with shows in Australia, New Zealand and America, critically acclaimed Bury comic Phil Buckley returns with his exciting new show.
Back by popular demand, rafter his hit shows “Stroke The Panda” (2007) & “Laughable” (2008) & “Stupid World Tour” (2009), Phil has a new subject to laugh at for 2010 and that is stand-up comedy itself
Phil is a different kind of comic, he doesn't tell jokes just hilarious stories. This show is not only stories it's true stories about his life as a comic, listen to stories of gigs gone wrong and how he nearly quite to only come back stronger
Face becoming a familiar face with regular appearances on TV & radio, Phil is widely regarded as a rising star of the comedy circuit and one to watch.
Phil Buckley is an original act with a different approach to stand up, so join him for a brand new hour of stand-up without jokes, just true stories and real laughs, filled with hilarious observations and anecdotes, this is a show you’d be crazy to miss.
“Top-class”
Time Out
“Just keeps getting better”
The Skinny
“I think I love Phil Buckley. Hilarious. Long may his career last”
edfringe.com
“Downright hilarious. Interspersed with savvy observations”
Three Weeks
“Just keeps getting better”
The Skinny
“Hilarious anecdotes”
The Weekly News
“An air of slick expertise pervaded his whole act, with a cool, unhurried delivery and a likeable demeanour”
Steve Bennett - Chortle
PPS Not quite comedy - but not quite straight either - is Bane and Bane 2. Tom Crawshaw rates these shows very highly - and the short run finishes at Underground Venues on Thursday July 22nd. See both shows for £12
Published Date:
20/07/2010
Modified Date:
21/07/2010
Still time
Much of the Visual Art that is part of Fringe 2010 has been open for viewing every day. There is a risk, therefore, that you think "See that tomorrow". Well there ain't many tomorrows left. One such event is the High Peak Artists' & Craft Workers' Association show. Read on:
VISUALS FROM VERSE
Pottery inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, photography inspired by the poetry of William Blake and a painting inspired by the prose of Dylan Thomas. These are just a few of the items from an inspiring art & craft exhibition entitled ‘Visuals from Verse’ which combines artistic creations with famous (and not so famous) words from literature.
Over 30 artists & craftspeople were challenged to produce a piece of work inspired by poetry or prose and the results make this exhibition truly unique and one which shouldn’t be missed.
The exhibition features classical and contemporary works and items on display include: paintings, etchings, linocuts, photography, textiles, jewellery, calligraphy, embroidery, batik & silk paintings, ceramics & wood.
Among the artists taking part are Rob Wilson, Sandra Orme, Jill Kerr, Paul Tavernor, Kathy MacMillan, Pauline Townsend, Catriona Hall, Yvonne Oates, photographer Dave Butcher, potter Andy Phillips, textile artist Claire de Ruiter and many more.
This exhibition is a treat for art & literature lovers alike.
‘Visuals from Verse’ takes place upstairs in the Art Café at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton and is open every day from July 7th – 31st.
If you haven't been to Buxton Museum yet there is the Derbyshire Open exhibition to see on the first floor. An excellent range of work inspired by life in Derbsyhire. On the ground floor John & Carole Dronsfield have a display of work resulting from a sojourn - no, an adventure - in New Zealand.
The excellent bookshop at Brierlow Bar - two miles south of town on the A515 (Ashbourne Road) - has a photographic exhibition (plus thousands of books, many at discounted prices).
Transition Buxton is an increasingly influential movement in the town. Transition is politics with a small 'p' I guess but it seeks to get us to rethink how we live on this planet and conserve the resources available to us. The results of a recent photography competition can be seen at the Grove Hotel.
One of the undoubted 'hits' of Fringe 2010 was the launch of the Buxton Art Trail. Thirty four venues displayed the work of over 70 artists. You've missed the weekend when the whole art trail was open but some work can still be seen. Check the programme/website carefully for dates and times but you might still be able to see:
4 Artists at the Robin Hood - London Road (near the Esso station)
Suzanne Pearson's new exhibition 'Connections' at 54 Brown Edge Road
Earthworks - new ceramics by 5 Potters - at Midas on Clough Street
Martin Olsson, Mister Hope and Kelly Dyson at Apertures, 51 High Street
Louise Jannetta - behind the Chair Shop, 24 Dale Road
Adi Brown & Langley Brown's new show, Mirrorfragmentechno at 18 White Knowle Road.
Finally on the arts/crafts front - The Great Dome Art Fair takes place in the Dome, University of Derby (I probably ought to acknowledge at least once on this Blog that the University has been the main sponsor of the Fringe for a number of years now) this coming weekend. All these events are free! The best bargain in town.
Published Date:
20/07/2010
Modified Date:
22/07/2010
More juggling - Italian Style
The headline might look like a cryptic crossword clue - if you think you have the solution then please let us know.
I've been frantically going through my very dog-eared copy of the Fringe Programme trying to work out what I need to do over the next 5 days to see all the shows I want to before the end of Fringe 2010. There are some shows coming to the end of their run - but there many still to arrive in town.
One that intrigued me - when the entry was first received back in the spring - was La Favola dei Saltimbanchi. I was intrigued because I didn't understand the title but closer inspection provided a helpful translation, The Jugglers' Tale. We're talking about a company from Roma here. The other intriguing thing was the promise of juggling in Poole's Cavern. I imagined some excitement as dislodged stalactites became additional juggling clubs. However, the venue is in fact The Marquee at Poole's Cavern (though the roof isn't that much higher). Anyway my point is don't hang around waiting for the reviews and the gossip - they're here for just two days, 23/24 July. Looks like a cracking show for the family - clowning and juggling with a story to boot.
Also at The Marquee - though starting on July 22nd are old Fringe friends and favourites Black Box Theatre Co. They are premiering a new show in Buxton so we can't tell you much about it. The Inconsistent Whisper of Insanity - well the title tells you something but the programme says a bit more: "If at 15 you 'slept' to wake at 76, to what ends would you go to find out what happened in those 'lost years'?" I haven't got an answer to the question myself - only one way to find out. If you haven't seen Black Box before - well, they're terrific.
Published Date:
20/07/2010
Modified Date:
20/07/2010
Nice Again
Shows listed under "For Families" in the Fringe programme are sometimes passed by by people who haven't got young children. A great shame, then, if you've overlooked Turned Out Nice Again which is at the Buxton Methodist Church - final performances on 24th July.
Opening on the 21st is The Clock Master which looks promising.
Don’t listen to stories, they’re dangerous tender… for who wants a life of mystery and adventure?
When a stubborn young girl enters a shop of clockwork wonders looking to sell her pocket watch she soon finds herself taken on a magical journey by trickster-storyteller, the Clock Master. Stories of minstrels and monkeys! Of clockwork girls and paper birds! Yet there is a real twist in the tail when she discovers the true nature of her mysterious trinket. What will she decide to do?
”…a real treat… I really hope to see more from this multi-talented troop of actors, storytellers, puppeteers and musicians. Enchanting.”
Lady in The Dark, Oct 2009 - Julia Rank, Theatre and literary critic
“Wonderfully enchanting storytelling and puppetry… One not to be missed.”
***** Five Stars Eirini Kartsaki for Remotegoat, June 2010
Very different - but also opening on 21st July at the Marquee, Poole's Cavern is Hotel Europa
Europe : 3 families, 3 countries … many stories
Following their sell-out performance at London’s BAC as part of The Accidental Festival 2010, inprocess collective, a group of international artists from Portugal, the Czech Republic and UK, will be appearing in The Buxton Festival Fringe at Nice Venues Marquee at Poole’s Cavern Grounds with their new adaptation of HOTEL EUROPA from 21st to 24th July at 5:45pm. The group have appeared previously at Surge 2.0 in London, on tour in the Czech Republic, at the Arnolfini in Bristol and to critical acclaim on the Brighton Festival Fringe in May this year.
“three skilled performers … push away any comfort zones – emotionally and physically – to make us really think (and feel), and they succeeded. Thought-provoking, innovative and important, Inprocess Collective is one to watch.”
- Monica Perdoni, The Latest
Sitting between theatre and live art, inprocess collective offer their audiences, immersive, experimental, intimate and truthful entertainment which touches the intellect and the heart.
“the perfect balance of skill and passion, risk and structure”
- Anna Furse, theatre maker and academic
Finally, for now, opening in the Pauper's Pit on 20th July is The Morning After The Night Before
More than a third of British adults drink over the safe daily alcohol limit,” - The Guardian
You’re sixteen and invincible. Your exams are over. Your school days up and tonight…
There’s going to be a party.
One night to do the things you never dared, one night to let it all go, one night to make it count.
TONIGHT YOU DON’T CARE!
Tonight, is going to be messy.
After a successful tour to local Nottingham schools performing their previous show CBA, Craft Theatre Company would like you to join us in celebrating our 1st anniversary you at the Buxton Fringe.
It’s Keith’s sixteenth birthday and tomorrow he receives his GCSE results. Too old now for balloons and cake his loving parents, who are attending a wedding for the weekend, leave Keith home alone.
TMATNB tells the story of a group of teens at a summer house party. Expect booze, flirting, fighting, jumping, smashing, sicking, falling, peeing and in-your-face excitement. After all the mess and confusion, at some point we all have to learn. Even if you cross your fingers. Even if you say you’re sorry. Even if you didn’t mean it. Some hangovers never go away.
I don’t know about you, but teenagers scare the s**t out of me
Craft Theatre Company is a youth theatre with a difference. The group made up of 15-16 year olds make totally ensemble modern theatre of which they have complete ownership. The kids delight in learning new skills and ways of presenting their ideas on stage. Craft is a place where everyone is free to express their feelings, questions and opinions artistically.
Craft gives you something you cannot learn in school.
Craft was set up by two Hull University graduates in July 2009 with the intention to make honest youth theatre about relevant, funny and cutting issues that challenge our perception of our society. We are incredibly excited about bringing Craft to the Buxton experience.
Published Date:
19/07/2010
Modified Date:
20/07/2010
No gamble - some hot tips
Just 8 days of Fringing left and amongst the new shows to arrive in town there are some that have got audiences excited and talking. Among them is Tales from the Blackjack
"..breathtaking****" PublicReviews
"..incredibly engaging.." A Younger Theatre
One actor, three tales, the edge of your seat...
Have you ever wondered how you turn a relatively normal human being into a dependent gambling addict? Then hold onto your seat, as you are taken at break-neck speed through the mysterious and mesmerising world of the casino.
Based on an original concept by Richard Holdsworth and brought to the stage by the exciting Bordello Theatre Co. Tales from the Blackjack is "..a fine introduction to a fresh new acting talent" (WhatsOnStage North West), that strips away the glitz and glamour of the gambling superhighway to reveal a harsh reality of debt, dirt and desperation. Join our straight talking croupier as he tells the story of Mary Maudsley, a loose living working class northern lass with an addictive personality, Mr Chang a very unlucky, lucky Chinese American who doesn't seem to mind losing thousands every weekend and Big Bad Baz, a southern gangster with a murderous mind and big secret. All is revealed in 45 minutes of "..thrilling entertainment" (Lancashire Evening Post), which will have you pinned in your seats one minute and on the edge the next.
The show was first performed at Preston Tringe festival and has come a long way since its first 25 minute staging above a small pub in 2009. With dates set for The Lowry, Salford and Buxton Fringe’s Underground Venues before jetting off to Edinburgh in August, Bordello Theatre Co. are truly setting their sights high!
Bordello Theatre Co. is the professional producing arm of the Lancashire based, award winning, arts company Bluestreak Arts, Bluestreak has a regional reputation for providing high quality, engaging creative activities and events. Over the past three years Bluestreak has produced several theatrical productions including Story to Stage, The Red Shoes and A Christmas Carol alongside summer promenade productions of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Wizard of Oz in Avenham Park, Preston and most recently a production of Fantastic Mr Fox for the Charter Theatre, Preston. 2010 saw Bluestreak Arts launch Bordello Theatre Co. as a vehicle to take their work nationally and beyond.
Tales from the Blackjack was recently performed at The Lowry in Salford in June and will appear at both the Underground Venue at Buxton (17-21 July) and C Central's Blue Room for the entire run at the Edinburgh Fringe; a stark warning to the curious, this is a solo performance which will "..knock your socks off" (Heather Shultz, Preston FM).
Tales from the Blackjack has really hit a winning streak so now is the time to catch this high roller before it hits the big time!
There is a packed programme with up to 30 events to choose from each day. There is still plenty of art to see (and buy!). Finishing today is Teakshow's Twisted Sketches (10-11pm in the Barrel Room) - it would be a shame to miss that. Matt Pritchard's The Man Who Cannot Lose is going down very well with audiences. Arriving in town today for three performances are Bright Cecilia - singing a Byrd mass in Poole's Cavern.
Get your programmes out and plan the next week very carefully - there is much to choose from and much that you'll want to see and hear. Don't miss out.
Published Date:
18/07/2010
Modified Date:
18/07/2010
New Kids On The Block
Sadly we've had to say goodbye to some new friends already - we hope they'll all be back next year (we also hope that we'll be here to welcome them). However, in our sadness we should also feel able to look forward to people about to arrive in Buxton. New arrivals may find it hard to believe that we had almost no rain between June 10 - July 6. Carnival Day could be dry though - at least in terms of weather. Anyway, in no particular order let's so 'Hello' to some new shows and performers.
• TONGUE IN CHIC ALL STAR SHOWCASE & BRIGHT AND SHINY RADIO SHOW
• 16 – 18 July, 2010. This sort seem to like bad puns even more all those sheep Fringe punners.
YOU “HERD” IT HERE FIRST
Look out Buxton Fringe, you’re about to be invaded with not one but two shows from the land of the Concrete Cows. OK, perhaps Milton Keynes is not yet famous as a cutting edge of cultural and comedic talent but these two shows are planning to change your mind.
TELL US “AN UDDER”
TONGUE IN CHIC ALL STAR SHOWCASE
Described by
John Hegley as “A very special Poetry Sunday”, Tongue in Chic brings the cream of the scene to the Fringe. Prize-winning poets will bring you humour, passion and much, much more. A changing show each day brings in guest poets: Danni Antagonist, The Antipoet, Jo Bell, Mark Gwynne Jones, Mac McFadden, Gerry Potter and Fay Roberts.
Founder and Host
Mark Niel is excited by the prospect of appearing at the Fringe:
“This is our first time on the road and Buxton has a reputation as a friendly Festival so it seemed the perfect place to cut our teeth. We’ll have a different show each night with special guests. It promises to be funny, passionate and exciting.”
Mark is no slouch as a poet himself as a meteoric rise on the Spoken Word circuit has seen him move from Open Mic to Headliner in just a couple of years. This year he has already won Poetry Slams in London, Oxford, Birmingham and at the inaugural Wenlock Poetry Festival. His energetic delivery and genuinely funny poems have earned him stage time with
John Hegley, Ava Vidal and Simon Munnery.
He’s keen to give others the same chance he had himself:
“Each night, we give members
of the audience a chance to shine. We’ll draw names and the fi rst three poets out of the
hat get three minutes of stage time each. The audience will judge who is our “Lucky Dip
Instant Star” of the night.”
The show lasts an hour from 7.30pm and will be on from 16 to 18 July.
YOU’RE MILKING IT NOW...
THE BRIGHT AND SHINY RADIO SHOW
is a sketch show performed under the guise of a
Radio broadcast. A cast of five brings you original sketches, songs and silliness ranging from
environmental-friendly assassins to exploding budgies (a great gag for a radio show!)
David Lovesy, writer and performer is looking forward to the Festival experience:
“It’s given us focus knowing that we had the Fringe as a deadline. We all enjoy writing and performing together and we’ve had a great time putting the show together which we hope comes across.”
The experienced cast has covered a lot of ground between them: everything from Stand Up to
Story-telling and from Musicals to Murder Mysteries is in their background. As much as they
love performing, the writing of the show has been just as pleasing according to another of the cast, Brian Two:
“There is something about finding an idea that makes your mates laugh out loud that is very satisfying. We all know each other really well so if we can find an unexpected twist that catches them out, there’s a good chance it will work with an audience”
The Bright and Shiny Radio Show starts at 9pm and will be on from 16 to 18 July.
Cast: Steve Clark, David Lovesy, Mark Niel, Philippa Tipper, Brian Two.
9 to 5 Idiot
Roland Gent is a 40 something office worker, who does the daily grind and doesn’t get the point of anything anymore.
He grew up in Chesterfield and these days lives and works in Manchester performing stand up comedy at night.
He gets the kids to school, and drives to work in a traffic jam narrowly avoiding running over the chavs and their dangerous dogs.
In the office he engages in a series of stupid arguments with his weird colleagues.
Roland works for a marketing agency; previous advertising campaigns have been for his favourite things, namely pies.
With your help, at the end of the show he’ll make up a brand new product, and also show you some of the worst products and ideas in history
Roland does all this just to pay the mortgage; perhaps you do as well?
Maybe you’re a 9 to 5 idiot too?
Adult humour, not for children, or the easily offended.
In 2007 his show Best Laid Marketing Plans won a sell out Edinburgh Festival award
In 2008 he directed the sketch show Bullsh*t TV which also won a sell out Edinburgh Festival award
9 to 5 Idiot is going to the Edinburgh Festival this year.
Venue - Underground Venues
Dates & Times – 16th July at 7pm; 19th July at 10pm; 20th July at 10pm (approx 60 mins)
More tomorrow.
Published Date:
15/07/2010
Modified Date:
15/07/2010