Fringe Launch Party 2025

The Fringe Launch party on the eve of the Fringe took place in Underground's brand new venue in the basement of Buxton's Working Men's Club on Lightwood Road. An enthusiastic audience helped celebrate Underground's 20th birthday and enjoyed a host of acts from across the Fringe hosted by comedian Rob Rouse. Thanks to photographers Carole Garner, Dan Osborne and Stephanie Billen.

Just time for a drink in the bar before the show begins... (SB)

Just time for a drink in the bar before the show begins... (SB)

Comedian Rob Rouse is our host for the night (CG)

Comedian Rob Rouse is our host for the night (CG)

Michelle Watson and Graham Winter from GAP Theatre's Death of the Author (CG)

Michelle Watson and Graham Winter from GAP Theatre's Death of the Author (CG)

An intriguing excerpt from Death of The Author (SB)

An intriguing excerpt from Death of The Author (SB)

Any ghosts out there? "Vincenza van der Ven" from Almost Haunted by Northern Powerhouse (SB)

Any ghosts out there? "Vincenza van der Ven" from Almost Haunted by Northern Powerhouse (SB)

Vincenza has our attention (SB)

Vincenza has our attention (SB)

The fun continues with Northern Powerhouse (CG)

The fun continues with Northern Powerhouse (CG)

Gare Du Nord Theatre celebrates Railway 200 (SB)

Gare Du Nord Theatre celebrates Railway 200 (SB)

Gare Du Nord Theatre presents an extract from its romp through railway history (CG)

Gare Du Nord Theatre presents an extract from its romp through railway history (CG)

Graham Winter offers an extract from his show 500 Body Bags (SB)

Graham Winter offers an extract from his show 500 Body Bags (SB)

The Fringe's Jeanette Hamilton invites us to sign up as Fringe Friends (SB)

The Fringe's Jeanette Hamilton invites us to sign up as Fringe Friends (SB)

Fred Up give us a taste of their Tellyfull of Songs (CG)

Fred Up give us a taste of their Tellyfull of Songs (CG)

Really getting going! Fred Up (SB)

Really getting going! Fred Up (SB)

Fred Up entertains the audience at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Fred Up entertains the audience at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Ballooned up at the Fringe Launch Party (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025)

Ballooned up at the Fringe Launch Party (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025)

Compere Rob Rouse is working hard at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Compere Rob Rouse is working hard at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Underground's Tom Crawshaw explains that working women and lazy men are all welcome at Underground's newest venue, the Buxton Working Men's Club (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025).

Underground's Tom Crawshaw explains that working women and lazy men are all welcome at Underground's newest venue, the Buxton Working Men's Club (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025).

Digging those showbiz shadows... (SB)

Digging those showbiz shadows... (SB)

Underground founders Yaz Al-Shaater and Tom Crawshaw take the stage at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Carole Garner)

Underground founders Yaz Al-Shaater and Tom Crawshaw take the stage at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Carole Garner)

Underground's Yaz Al-Shaater and Tom Crawshaw against a backdrop of their younger selves at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Dan Osborne)

Underground's Yaz Al-Shaater and Tom Crawshaw against a backdrop of their younger selves at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Dan Osborne)

Underground's co-manager Alice de Cent helps celebrate 20 years of Underground (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025)

Underground's co-manager Alice de Cent helps celebrate 20 years of Underground (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025)

Anything could happen as The Totally Improvised Company invites us to help invent a musical (SB)

Anything could happen as The Totally Improvised Company invites us to help invent a musical (SB)

Coming together: members of The Totally Improvised Company (CG)

Coming together: members of The Totally Improvised Company (CG)

Fringe favourite Angela Bra takes the stage (SB)

Fringe favourite Angela Bra takes the stage (SB)

Volunteers from the audience join Angela Bra's band at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Carole Garner)

Volunteers from the audience join Angela Bra's band at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Carole Garner)

Jamming along with Angela Bra! (CG)

Jamming along with Angela Bra! (CG)

Darren Poyzer and Trisha Plant entertain us at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025)

Darren Poyzer and Trisha Plant entertain us at the Fringe Launch Party 2025 (credit: Stephanie Billen 2025)

Musician Darren Poyzer engages the audience (CG)

Musician Darren Poyzer engages the audience (CG)

Still going strong - balloons at the bottom of Underground's poster-filled staircase (SB)

Still going strong - balloons at the bottom of Underground's poster-filled staircase (SB)