Preview: Two By Beckett at Durham Assembly Room

Actress who has starred alongside biggest names in Hollywood to take to the stage in Durham

Two By Beckett
Durham Assembly Rooms Theatre

Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th June 2018

An actress who has starred alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names will be centre stage as two plays by one of Britain’s best-loved play-writes are performed for the first time in Durham.

Felicity Dean appeared alongside Michael Caine and Al Pacino in ‘1776’ and ‘The Whistleblower’ respectively, and has appeared on the silver screen alongside other big names including Oliver Reed, Judi Dench, Billy Connolly and Charlton Heston. Felicity, who is currently starring in ‘Queen Elizabeth I’ on Channel 5, will star as the lead role in ‘Footfalls’ by Samuel Beckett, which will be performed as part of a double-bill with another Beckett play, ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’.

They will take to the stage to perform ‘Two By Beckett’ on June 23 and 24 at Assembly Rooms Theatre in Durham as part of the Durham Festival Of Arts.

Felicity Dean

Felicity said: “I have always loved the theatre. It is very different to film where everything is done in advance. In the theatre you can straight away gauge the audience’s reaction and if you are on the right track. It can terrify me as well, which is a good thing. I think you should do at least one thing a year that terrifies you – where there is fear there is growth and you learn through experiences like that that.”

Al Pacino and Felicity Dean

“There are a lot of fantastic actors I have had the pleasure of working with, including Michael Caine and Al Pacino, who remains a good friend. I have had my education in acting through artists and actors. I have worked with wonderful people.”

She added: “I am so looking forward to bringing this play to Durham for the festival. When Beckett is done usually it is in London. This is giving access to a whole swathe of people who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the masterpieces he wrote.”

Nobel Prize Winner Beckett is best-known for writing the influential ‘Waiting For Godot’ in 1953. ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ and ‘Footfalls’ feature an all-male and all-female cast respectively.

The productions have been put together by Elysium Theatre Company, which is Durham’s only independent professional theatre company.  Formed in 2017 by director and actor team Jake Murray and Danny Solomon, its aim is to bring the best of world theatre to the North.

Jake, who runs the company from the Assembly Rooms and is directing the Beckett double-bill, said: “Samuel Beckett is one of the greatest play-writes of all time and it is a privilege to be putting on two of his play back-to-back for the first time ever in Durham.  I played the Boy in a famous production of ‘Waiting For Godot’at the Royal Exchange, Manchester and the Roundhouse, London, years ago, and I’ve been a Beckett fan since then.”

“The first play I ever directed was Beckett’s ‘Endgame’ when I was 17, so it’s wonderful to be doing these plays in Durham now. He really is an incredible writer with so much to offer audiences of all ages. Our aim as a theatre company is to put on the highest quality of productions right here in the North, and these plays are great examples of that.”

Edmund Dehn

His thoughts were echoed by Edmund Dehn, who follows in the footsteps of great names including John Hurt and Harold Pinter in playing Krapp in the one-man-show.  Edmund, who appeared in the internet sensation short film ‘Judge Minty’ as well as the cult children’s show ‘Knightmare’, said: “ This is the first time I have done Beckett so I am very excited. When they write the history of 20^th century play-writes I am sure he will be number one. It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of some great names in playing Krapp in what is an iconic play. “

“In one respect it is fantastic to be in a one-man show because you get all the limelight on you, but it is more nerve-racking as if you go blank there are no other actors to help you out! But that’s part of the job and I am really looking forward to the challenge. It is a privilege to be part of this fantastic production and I can’t wait to perform in Durham.”

Tickets:

To buy tickets for the double-bill, head to www.theassemblyroomstheatre.org.

For more information on Elysium and their productions, find them on social media at @ElysiumTC.

Preview: Customs House

SUMMER PROGRAMME UNVEILED AT SOUTH SHIELDS CUSTOMS HOUSE

Home-grown productions and local talent take centre stage in this year’s summer programme at The Customs House.

My Uncle Freddie is being brought to the stage for the first time by the acclaimed writer and fellow of The Customs House Academy, Alex Ferguson. The Jarrow writer penned the original BBC Radio 4 series, based on the adventures of 10-year-old Lecky and his family, including his imaginative Uncle Freddie, set in 1930s Jarrow.

Uncle Freddie will be played by Chris Connel, while The Customs House Youth Theatre alum Andrew Finnigan, from South Shields, takes on the role of his nephew. The cast also features Georgia Nicholson (The Cinder Path, The Dolly Mixtures) as Mam, Paul Dunn (I Left My Heart in Roker Park, Seriously Dead) as Dad and Jill Dellow (Horrible Histories, Vera) as Aunt Bella. It will be directed by Gareth Hunter. My Uncle Freddie runs from Tuesday, July 17, to Saturday, July 21.

It will be followed by another world premiere, with the first stage adaptation of the iconic TV drama, When The Boat Comes In, sponsored by Colmans. It has been written by Peter Mitchell, the son of the original creator, South Shields-born James Mitchell, and specially commissioned by The Customs House to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

The gritty drama explores the struggles of life on Tyneside during the inter-war years, seen through the eyes of Jack Ford, a soldier who returns home from active service to find his hometown facing poverty, ill-health, unemployment and discrimination. When The Boat Comes In runs from Thursday, August 15, to Saturday, August 25, and will be directed by Katy Weir.

Other north east tales being told on stage include Woven Bones, about the 2013 discovery in Durham of the remains of the long-lost ‘Scottish Soldiers’ from the 1650 Battle of Dunbar, and The Desert Queen, about north east heroine Gertrude Bell.

The third annual South Tyneside Comedy Festival runs from Friday, July 27, to Saturday, August 4, featuring Gary Delaney, Brennan Reece, Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy, Paul Sinha, Carl Hutchinson, Jo Caulfield, Angela Barnes, Scott Bennet, Justin Moorhouse, Steffen Peddie, Festival Director Jason Cook and Johnny Vegas.

Family entertainment includes the return of Arbuthnot’s Super Silly Happy Fun Game Show as part of the South Tyneside Comedy Festival, giving kids the chance to win prizes as well as the usual madcap entertainment, on Saturday, August 4.

There’s also Arbuthnot and Puddles’ Pirate Adventure, from Tuesday, July 24 to Thursday, July 26, The Customs House Summer School production of The Addams Family, from Friday, August 10, to Sunday, August 12, and Once Upon a Storytime, from Tuesday, August 26, to Friday, August 31.

Mini Makers and Mega Makers sessions will also be running every Monday throughout the summer holidays, featuring creative challenges for children aged 11 and under with their grown-ups and 11 to 13-year-olds respectively.

Music includes Encore for Charity, an annual fundraising performance in aid of the Rotary Club of Jarrow with Harton, on Thursday, July 12, Bee Gees tribute Stayin’ Alive, on Friday, July 13, and Little Mix tribute Little Mix Magic on Sunday, September 2.

Ray Spencer, Executive Director of The Customs House, said: “The word iconic is often overused, but this season has a fair smattering of icons and world premieres.  When The Boat Comes In resonates with so many people of a certain vintage, who were gripped by the unfolding fortunes of the central characters every Sunday night.  This BBC television drama, produced between 1976 and 1981, launched the careers of many household names and changed the face, or rather the sound, of British television forever. This was a breakthrough for regional accents.  The funny and heart-warming BBC Radio 4 series My Uncle Freddie ran for six seasons and won the comedy/light entertainment (radio) category in the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards 1996. I hope people will attend in large numbers to celebrate work made by our own, about our own.”

The new What’s On Guide for July and August at The Customs House is now available from the box office and usual outlets. It can also be downloaded via the website at www.customshouse.co.uk.

To book tickets, contact the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or visit the website.

Preview: Your Best Guess at Stockton ARC

Your Best Guess

Stockton ARC

Thursday 14^th June 2018

ARC is bringing another exciting new show to Stockton on Thursday 14^th June with Your Best Guess – written and performed by critically acclaimed theatre-maker Chris Thorpe and Portuguese theatre company mala voadora.

About Your Best Guess:

Your Best Guess is about the plans we make for the things that don’t happen: the birthday cake for someone who never turns up, the celebratory shirts for the team that lost, and the wedding clothes that stay in the box.

It’s stories and songs about all these and more. Because we all do it, from lovers to governments, from musicians to town planners to the kid who’d rather be anywhere but here. It’s what life is really. Making the best plans you can. Making the best guess at what is going to happen and making the objects that will help you through it.

Spend an evening with two old friends, talking about family, interspersed with stories of dead rock stars, abandoned projects, space missions, and maybe a song

This is a show about what happens to those objects when the future we expected doesn’t happen. It’s intimate, funny, sad and real.

Your Best Guess’ two week UK tour was made possible by ARC’s commitment to bringing exciting, innovative shows to Teesside, and in this case, the whole country.

Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive of ARC, said: “Your Best Guess was by far the best show I saw at the Edinburgh festival this year, and I really wanted to bring it to the UK. I approached mala voadora and booked a two week tour to make it viable for them to perform here.”

Chris Thorpe is considered to be one of the theatre world’s leading lights and has a huge following within the industry. He was a founder member of Unlimited Theatre and still works and tours with the company. He is also an Artistic Associate of live art/theatre company Third Angel.

Chris Thorpe explains: “I’m so excited that some of the work I’ve made with mala voadora over the past few years has finally got to the UK. The fact it’s come about because Annabel and ARC are excited about the show makes it even better because ARC’s one of my favourite venues. This show is about what we do to keep faith in ourselves in uncertain times and I can’t wait for it to meet people over here.”

A co-production of Porto City Hall Council for Culture, Culturgest and mala voadora, with support from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and funding from DGARTES.

Written by Chris Thorpe (previous ARC performances include Am I Dead Yet with Unlimited Theatre and I Wish I Was Lonely with Hannah Jane Walker)

Directed by Jorge Andrade

Performed by Chris Thorpe and Jorge Andrade

Tickets:

Your Best Guess is at ARC on Thursday 14^th October at 7pm.

All theatre performances at ARC are priced on a Pay What You Decide basis, which means you don’t have to pay until after you have seen a show. To book tickets: https://arconline.co.uk/book-tickets?n=4507&sid=24000

Age: 14+

Running time: 1hr (approx)

This performance will be BSL interpreted

Preview: Dragon at North Shields Exchange Theatre

A hard-hitting play is being premiered in the North East about the forgotten local heroes of the Afghanistan war

Produced in partnership with The Exchange

Funded through the Covenant Fund and North Tyneside Council

Dragon

North Shields Exchange Theatre

Thursday 14^th to Saturday 16^th June 2018

Written by Bob Jeffrey
Directed by Roxana Freeman
Performed by Micky McGregor and Harriet Ghost

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month - June 2018

Although a fictional drama, Dragon by Whitley Bay playwright Bob Jeffrey, is based on the incredible experiences of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in the infamous battle at Now Zad in Afghanistan against the Taliban in 2006.

Micky McGregor and Harriet Ghost

Geordie central character Tony is part of the platoon, grossly outnumbered and under equipped, which fought for 107 days. It is believed to be the longest trench warfare action since World War 2. At the battle the Fusiliers built a sign ‘Welcome to the Dragon's Lair’ to show their defiance to the enemy – hence the title of the play, which is being staged at The Exchange cultural arts venue, North Shields from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 June at 7.30pm.

Dragon highlights the massive problem soldiers face with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when they return from action overseas.

The play, which is being co-produced with The Exchange, has the support of the Covenant Fund, which has £10 million each year to support the Armed Forces Covenant by funding projects which address specific priorities, and North Tyneside Council.  A hundred free tickets are available to former soldiers to attend.

Dragon Creative Team - L-R Roxana Freeman (director),
Harriet Ghost and Micky McGregor (actors) and Bob Jeffrey (writer)

Bob Jeffrey, who is having his first play professionally staged at the age of 72, said: “I have spent 2 years interviewing veterans across the region, many of whom suffer with PTSD, in order to help shape my play and ensure that it is as authentic as possible. This play is designed to show former soldiers that they are not alone and that there is support out there. We want as many former soldiers to see the performances so they can tell others in the ex-services community that help is out there.

“The support from the Covenant Fund and North Tyneside Council, means the play will now be shared with audiences during PTSD Awareness Month in June and explores some of the challenges facing veterans and their families.”

Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, estimate that one in five returning soldiers are likely to suffer from mental health illness, such as depression, and about one in 25 regulars and one in 20 reservists suffer PTSD.

Steve Wilkins, a former Royal Marine and now Coach for Save our Soldier who shared his story with Bob Jeffrey and attended the read through of Dragon, said: “The Commando training is the longest and hardest infantry training in the world. In 24 years service I served 7 tours of Northern Ireland, 3 tours of Iraq and countless exercises at home and abroad.  This inevitably took its toll and once discharged I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Injury. I sought help from the charity Save our Soldier which is thoroughly unique in its approach. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.

“As a coach for Save our Soldier I’m constantly on call to provide an intervention when the veteran may think there is no way out. I provide empathy, compassion and hope.  Mix it all up with various complimentary therapies to bring the person “out of the darkness and into the light”.  I would encourage as many veterans and their families to go and see Dragon and if any of the issues in the play strike home to seek help.”

North East actors Micky McGregor (I Daniel Blake, Wolfblood) and Harriet Ghost (Tom Hadaway’s The Filleting Machine) play the lead roles of Tony and his wife Katie. To coincide with the play a series of free wrap around events have been organised. On Thursday 14 June there will be an opportunity to Meet the Cast after the show as they talk about bringing the story to life on stage.

On Friday 15 June at 7.10pm award-winning journalist and author James Fergusson, whose book A Million Bullets: The Real Story of the British Army in Afghanistan (winner of the British Army Military Book of the Year 2009) was used as inspiration for Dragon, will be at The Exchange to share his thoughts on what really happened during the campaign in Afghanistan.

Finally, after the show on Saturday 16 June experts and veteran champions from across the region will take part in a free Post Show Q&A to discuss the themes and issues raised in the play and the challenges facing returning services personnel.

The panel will include Andy Newman, former soldier of the Coldstream Guards and Dr Mick Hill Director of Post Graduate Research at Northumbria University and Co Founder of the Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research. The panel discussion will be chaired by ITV Tyne Tees journalist Alex Watson.

Veterans and their families can book free Guest List Tickets to see Dragon on Thursday 14 June through their local veteran organization. Tickets are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Tickets:

Tickets for Dragon cost £8.50. For more information about Dragon visit

www.thedragonproject.co.uk or to book tickets visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/theexchange or contact The Exchange via the box office on (0191) 258 4111. 

Preview: BenDeLaCreme’s Inferno A-Go-Go at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

BenDeLaCreme’s Inferno A-Go-Go

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Wednesday 29^th August 2018

BenDeLaCreme, star of cult hit reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race, brings her Inferno A-Go-Go tour to the UK this August, paying a visit to Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Wednesday 29^th August.

Best known as Miss Congeniality from Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, BenDeLaCreme also appeared on Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. Her ravenous fan-base has since sky rocketed her to the show’s 15 Fan Favourite Queens of All Time!

DeLa’s Inferno A-Go-Go premiered Off-Broadway and has since toured to cities around the world.

Tickets are priced £50.50 VIP, £35.50 platinum, £28 standard

VIP tickets include a meet and greet photo opportunity with BenDeLaCreme, early access to the auditorium and reserved seating in the front rows.

Platinum tickets include reserved seating in the front rows.

2018 also sees another RuPaul’s Drag Race star visit the theatre! Alaska Thunderf**k, star of Season 5 brings her An Evening with Alaska show to the stage on Wednesday 4^th July. Presented by Klub Kids who run some of the biggest drag events in the UK, the evening will feature live musicians, comedy and a pre-show from the Klub Kids.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £20.50. Group bookings over 5 will receive £5 off each ticket.

Please note both events are strictly 14+

Tickets available for BenDeLaCreme’s Inferno A-Go-Go from our affiliates Eventim UK: http://bit.ly/BenDeLeCremeNCL

Tickets still available for Alaska Thunderf**k from our affiliates Eventim UK: http://bit.ly/AlaskaThunderNCL

Preview: Trolley Boy at Alphabetti and ACW

Trolley Boy

Newcastle Alphabetti - Tuesday 10^th – Saturday 14^th July 2018

Arts Centre Washington - Thursday 19^th – Friday 20^th July 2018

Ladies and gentlemen, behold Trolley Boy!

Riding these broken streets, dodging stones and swerving dog shit in his

superfast Asda trolley.

Brave, fearless Trolley Boy brings hope to the hopeless, help to the

helpless and safety to the... not very safe.

Trolley Boy has emerged like a phoenix from the ashes. He sees, he

hears: despair in the bungalows, panic in the flats.

But fear not. Trolley Boy fights for justice.

Alphabetti Theatre brings their latest production, Trolley Boy, to the North East this July. Written by David Raynor and set in Washington, Tyne and Wear in the early 90s – directly inspired by David’s own Washington upbringing - Trolley Boy is the story of a teenage boy trying to come to terms with loss.

Things haven’t been great for 14-year old Colin. 1992 was already a pretty crap

year. But when tragedy strikes and the forces of darkness move in there’s only

one thing left to do: become a superhero.

The play has been developed over a 3 year period, supported by Alphabetti Theatre’s Literary Department, and has previously been performed as a script-in-hand performance at Alphabetti Theatre’s basement venue in 2016. The current production is supported by Arts Council England.

Following the performance at Arts Centre Washington on Thursday 19th July, the audience and members of the Washington and North East community are invited to attend a post-show symposium to discuss: Washington – 30 years and counting. This symposium will look at how the social and urban landscape of Washington has changed since the Development Corporation closed in 1988, using the play as springboard for the discussion.

Cast and Creatives:

Cast Bob Nicholson & Cheryl Marie Dixon

Written by David Raynor

Directed by Ali Pritchard

Movement Director Malcolm Shields

Designer James Pickering

Composer Roma Yagnik

Sound Designer Matthew Tuckey

Lighting Designer Martin Fraser

Dramaturg Ben Dickenson

Produced by Chloe Stott

Tickets:

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Date: Tuesday 10^th – Saturday 14^th July 2018 at 7.30pm

Tickets: Tuesday – Wednesday Pay What You Feel

Thursday – Saturday £8 Full Price / £6 Concession (Student, Over 60,

Artist, Unwaged)

Age Recommendation: 12+

Website: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/whats-on-menu/coming-up/17-whats-on-articles/280-trolley-boy

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/239517

Arts Centre Washington

Date: Thursday 19^th – Friday 20^th July 2018 at 7.30pm

Tickets: £8 Full Price / £6 Concession (Student, Over 60, Artist, Unwaged)

Age Recommendation: 12+

Website: http://artscentrewashington.co.uk/production-details.aspx?id=1159

Tickets: http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?presenter=TLARTSCENTRE&event=TB18

NEWS: Edinburgh Fringe Previews at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

The Before Fringe Festival!

Edinburgh Fringe Previews

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Friday 27^th – Sunday 29^th July 2018

If you can’t get to up to the Edinburgh Fringe this year, fear not! Alphabetti presents a weekend of Fringe Previews.

Join Alphabetti Theatre as they present Newcastle’s very own fringe festival on the 27^th – 29^th of July, just before everyone trots up to wee bonny Scotland for the big event! They will be presenting wonderful EdFringe previews across the whole venue; in the bar, theatre and rehearsal room (renamed The Comedy Room) so there'll be plenty of theatre, comedy and more to stumble across.

All 18 events are Pay What You Feel so there's even more reason to catch as many as you can!

Website: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/whats-on-menu/coming-up/17-whats-on-articles/287-alphabetti-theatre-before-edinburgh-festival?showall=1&limitstart=

Here are the shows:

NUTS presents ‘Big Trouble in Little Monkey’s Daycare’

Genre: Theatre

When: Friday 27^th July

Start: 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512238

Tommy is a hard-boiled private investigator on the mean streets of Little Monkey’s Daycare. He’s four and a quarter years old, with an eye for trouble and a taste for candy sticks. Together, with his strong and mostly silent partner Bobby, he sets out to uncover and foil a plot that seems to go right to the top of the playground, which admittedly is not very high at all.

Beach Hunks presents ‘BEACH HUNKS: Leg Day’

Genre: Sketch Comedy

When: Friday 27^th July

Start: 20:45pm – 21:45pm

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512242

Toned. Honed. Hunked. Chipper sketch lads Beach Hunks stride leggily to Edinburgh with a fast-paced hour of daft sketch carnage. Roll out the bunting and pray for rain as the Hunks celebrate the most special day of the year with a ceaseless parade of reprehensible characters and whip-smart gags. Limber up. Lunge forth. Whatever you do, don’t skip Leg Day.

‘High energy physicality... had me in hysterics’ **** (Serena Bhandari).

'Bold and unusual' ****,

Top 10 Shows of the Fringe 2016 (WestEndWilma.com)

* Please note this show is taking in a room upstairs and is therefore not accessible – a thousand apologies.

Alphabetti Theatre presents ‘Showaoke in the Bar’

Genre: Karaoke

When: Friday 27^th July

Start: 22:00 – 00:00

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

Copy: Karaoke but accompanied by a baby grande piano instead of a tinny backing track

Spontaneous Wrecks presents ‘Spontaneous Wrecks Kids show’

Genre: Improvised Comedy

When: Saturday 28^th July

Start: 11:00am – 12:00pm

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512244

Spontaneous Wrecks bring their family-friendly improvised comedy show 'Picture This!' back to the Fringe after its debut in 2017. Children in the audience draw us pictures of things they'd like to see in a story – and then we perform that story, made up on the spot! 

* Please note this show is taking in a room upstairs and is therefore not accessible – a thousand apologies.

Neil Harris and Julie Grady Thomas presents ‘A Comedy Brunch 2’

Genre: Stand-Up Comedy

When: Saturday 28^th July

Start: 12:15 – 13:15

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512247

Breakfast of champions? Brunch of runner-ups. Neil Harris and Julie Grady Thomas return with a new set of jokes, stories and observations. Cerebral and articulate with elegant punchlines, Neil is a computer programmer turned stand-up who finished runner-up in Hilarity Bites New Comedian 2017. With cool, crafted and captivating anecdotes, Julie, an American comedian and writer, has been featured in Elle UK.

Jack Evans presents ‘WORK’

Genre: Stand- Up Comedy

When: Saturday 28^th July

Start: 13:30 – 14:30

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512469

Jack Evans, lizard prince of Manchester's alternative circuit, presents a punchy, out-there hour about work: its history, its present and a future without it. Jack’s last show 'Melancholy Poontang' was one of i-D's best shows at the Fringe.

'An alternative tour de force' **** (EdFestMag.com).

* Please note this show is taking in a room upstairs and is therefore not accessible – a thousand apologies.

Fearless Players presents ‘Armour’

Genre: Theatre

When: Saturday 28^th July

Start: 14:45 – 15:45

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512470

What do the widow and mistress of Scotland's famous bard discuss over tea? After the death of Robert Burns, his wife Jean Armour and mistress Nancy Maclehose finally meet. Female-led theatre company Fearless Players bring an all-female production dedicated to the women behind Scotland’s history.

Harriet Dyer presents ‘Soo’s a Prick’

Genre: Stand-Up Comedy

When: Saturday 28^th July

Start: 16:00 – 17:00

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512471

Ever wondered why Sooty never doth speaketh? Thought so. It's time you knew the truth, the oh so sinister truth. Expect usual Harriet Dyer (as seen on ITV1, 2 and Be, BBC3 and as heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC Ouch) tomfoolery but in a musical with puppets, dance numbers and emotional turmoil. The larks you'll feel will be different.

‘A bundle of whimsical hilarity… a breath of fresh air... will have you in stitches’ - Broadway Baby

* Please note this show is taking in a room upstairs and is therefore not accessible – a thousand apologies.

Lee Kyle presents ‘Kicking Potatoes into The Sea’

Genre: Stand-Up Comedy

When: Saturday 28^th July

Start: 17:15 – 18:15

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512472

Have you ever kicked a potato into the sea? Lee Kyle has. It's great but it's not the answer to your problems or anything. Unless your problem is that your sea doesn't have enough potatoes in, which it almost certainly isn't.
‘Top up-and-coming comedy performer’ – BBC

Richard Brown presents ‘You Are Not My Audience’

Genre: Stand-Up Comedy

When: Saturday 27^th July

Start: 18:30 – 19:30

Tickets: Pay What You Feel

To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512473

A show for anyone who feels they can’t relate to anything, this joyfully miserable comedian shines a ray of light into the dark corners of ‘edgy’ comedy.
★★★★ – Scotsman
★★★★ - Ed Fest Mag
* Please note this show is taking in a room upstairs and is therefore not accessible – a thousand apologies.

Nouveau Riche presents ‘Queens of Sheba’

Genre: Theatre
When: Saturday 28^th July
Start: 19:45 – 20:45
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512474
Queens of Sheba tells the stories of four black women who have been turned away from a night club for 'being too black' (based on the Dstrkt night spot incident of 2015). The drama focuses on the rise of Misogynoir (misogyny directed towards black women where race and gender both play roles in bias). Queens of Sheba is a journey that travels through some of the harsh realities of our time. Untapped Award winner 2018.

Ross Brierley presents ‘Accumulator’

Genre: Stand-Up Comedy
When: Saturday 28^th July
Start: 21:00 – 22:00
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512475
What would you do if you had a bet on the horses and won a year's wages in a day? Quit your job and become a professional gambler? Sure, why not. Award-winning comedian Ross Brierley takes you on a surreal journey into the highs and lows of trying to predict the future to pay the bills. An hour of big, daft ideas and little plastic pens from the host of The Not So Late Show with Ross and Josh.

Martha Pailing presents ‘Background People’

Genre:Theatre                                                    
Sunday 29^th July                              
Start: 13:30 – 14:30                           
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512476
Background People is a series of four short absurdist stories exploring the line between commitment and obligation through spoken word, theatre and live art. This new solo show focuses on routine, relationships and place (and the 107 decisions crammed in between).

Gavin Webster presents ‘I Am Stand Up Comedy’

Genre: Stand-up Comedy
When: Sunday 29^th July
Start: 14:45 – 15:45
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512478


* Please note this show is taking in a room upstairs and is therefore not accessible – a thousand apologies.

YESYESNONO presents ‘5 Encounters on a Site Called Craigslist’

Genre: Theatre
When: Sunday 29^th July
Start: 16:00 – 17:00
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512479
Sam wants to tell you about five encounters he had on a site called Craigslist. Sam is anxious about the way he gets to know people. About the way he self-sabotages his attempts to communicate and reach out to those around him. Sam wants this to be a chance for you to get to know him. Desperately hilarious and achingly bleak, 5 Encounters… is an intricate and tender question mark around our attempts to encounter each other in this technologized world.
★★★★★ “visionary, purposive and unpretentious.” – Three Weeks

Katherine Tanney presents ‘Composter Syndrome’

Genre: Stand-up Comedy
When: Sunday 29^th July
Start: 17:15 – 18:15
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512480
A self-indulgent, rambling and ill-prepared insight into the mind of an enormous human cliche, who desperately tries to fit in, whilst desperately trying to stand out. Please love me. Composter Syndrome - a work in the earliest stages of progress.
‘Hotly tipped’ - The Northern Echo
‘Solid material and striking delivery’ – Gigglebeats

Spontaneous Wrecks presents ‘Improvised Edinburgh’

Genre: Improvised Comedy
When: Sunday 29^th July
Start: 18:30 – 19:30
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512481
Newcastle-based improv group Spontaneous Wrecks prepare to return to the Fringe for the third year running! Performing scenes and playing games made up on the spot, everything we do is inspired by your suggestions, which means every show is completely different – and anything can happen!

Hal Branson presents ‘MBOLO’

Genre: Stand-up Comedy
When: Sunday 29^th July
Start: 19:45 – 20:45
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512482
Most people go to Africa to do charity work to find themselves and get some purpose and meaning in their lives. Fifteen years ago, Hal went for these reasons too but also to try and stop smoking weed and get over a self-induced nervous breakdown. Instead he came back having built a fifth of a school and learned the Ugandan words for both sets of genitals.
'Effortlessly watchable' – NARC

Seymour Mace presents ‘Seymour Mace Gets Sucked Off By God’

Genre: Stand-up Comedy
When: Sunday 29^th July
Start: 21:00 – 22:00
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
To reserve tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/512483
Mister Tuesday, potatoes versus knives, 80s, music, future wizard, noise, monkeys, lords, frauds, the saddest pictures in the world, animal band, ways to live, ways to die. Sucked off by God. If that sounds like your kind of thing then come and meet me in my imagination. Unless you're a little kid, then f*ck off!
'For Seymour Mace the rules of conventional stand-up are irrelevant' **** (Scotsman).