Fringe Launch Party 2026

The Fringe Launch party on the eve of the Fringe took place in Underground's venue in the basement of Buxton's Working Men's Club on Lightwood Road. An enthusiastic audience helped celebrate the forthcoming shows enjoying a host of acts from across the Fringe hosted by comedian Edy Hurst. Thanks to photographers Dan Osborne and Stephanie Billen.

Edy Hurst opens the show (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Edy Hurst opens the show (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Edy Hurst, comedian, introduces the next act (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Edy Hurst, comedian, introduces the next act (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Edy Hurst, comedian, in full flow (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Edy Hurst, comedian, in full flow (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Gill Sweeting sings and plays her ukulele (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Gill Sweeting sings and plays her ukulele (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Luke van Coot from I always walk alone (credit: Dan Osborne)

Luke van Coot from I always walk alone (credit: Dan Osborne)

Luke van Coot promotes his show I Always Walk Alone (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Luke van Coot promotes his show I Always Walk Alone (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Skye Lilly from the FOMO show in playful mood (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Skye Lilly from the FOMO show in playful mood (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Skye Lilly's The FOMO show (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Skye Lilly's The FOMO show (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Skye Lilley performs an except from her FOMO show (credit: Dan Osborne)

Skye Lilley performs an except from her FOMO show (credit: Dan Osborne)

Poet and comedian Funny Onion (credit: Dan Osborne)

Poet and comedian Funny Onion (credit: Dan Osborne)

John Hobson promotes his show Funny Onion dressed as an avocado (credit: Stephanie Billen)

John Hobson promotes his show Funny Onion dressed as an avocado (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Tom Crawshaw from Underground Venues (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Tom Crawshaw from Underground Venues (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Tom Crawshaw from Underground Venues tells a tale (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Tom Crawshaw from Underground Venues tells a tale (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Rob Rouse entertains (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Rob Rouse entertains (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Rob Rouse promotes his show Rob Rouse & Tom Wrigglesworth: The Unlikely Weightlifters' (credit: Dan Osborne)

Rob Rouse promotes his show Rob Rouse & Tom Wrigglesworth: The Unlikely Weightlifters' (credit: Dan Osborne)

Edy Hurst's musical interlude (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Edy Hurst's musical interlude (credit: Stephanie Billen)

By the Bi Production's Dominatrix played by Siobán Healy at the Fringe Launch Party (credit: Stephanie Billen 2026)

By the Bi Production's Dominatrix played by Siobán Healy at the Fringe Launch Party (credit: Stephanie Billen 2026)

By the Bi Production's Dominatrix from Unleashed (credit: Stephanie Billen)

By the Bi Production's Dominatrix from Unleashed (credit: Stephanie Billen)

By the Bi's Dominatrix reveals her outfit (credit: Dan Osborne)

By the Bi's Dominatrix reveals her outfit (credit: Dan Osborne)

The Dominatrix from Unleashed (credit: Dan Osborne)

The Dominatrix from Unleashed (credit: Dan Osborne)

By the Bi production's Dominatrix (credit : Stephanie Billen)

By the Bi production's Dominatrix (credit : Stephanie Billen)

Dylan Howell promotes his show Forget About Me (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Dylan Howell promotes his show Forget About Me (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Introducing Pump Room Cabaret to the audience (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Introducing Pump Room Cabaret to the audience (credit: Stephanie Billen)

The compere for Pump Room Cabaret, Sir Dickie Benson, at the Fringe Launch Party 2026 (credit: Dan Osborne)

The compere for Pump Room Cabaret, Sir Dickie Benson, at the Fringe Launch Party 2026 (credit: Dan Osborne)

Scarlett Whispers, burlesque performer, at the Fringe Launch Party 2026 (credit : Stephanie Billen)

Scarlett Whispers, burlesque performer, at the Fringe Launch Party 2026 (credit : Stephanie Billen)

Scarlett Whispers, burlesque performer (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Scarlett Whispers, burlesque performer (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Jeanette Hamilton talks about Fringe Friends (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Jeanette Hamilton talks about Fringe Friends (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Jeanette promotes the Fringe Friends (credit: Dan Osborne)

Jeanette promotes the Fringe Friends (credit: Dan Osborne)

Angela Bra promotes her very own bingo game at the Fringe Launch Party 2026 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Angela Bra promotes her very own bingo game at the Fringe Launch Party 2026 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Angela Bra introduces herself (credit: Dan Osborne)

Angela Bra introduces herself (credit: Dan Osborne)

Angela Bra's bingo game is in full flow (credit: Dan Osborne)

Angela Bra's bingo game is in full flow (credit: Dan Osborne)

Angela Bra's bingo winners vie for the best prize (credit: Dan Osborne)

Angela Bra's bingo winners vie for the best prize (credit: Dan Osborne)

Fred Rolland says 'Anything Can Happen' (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Fred Rolland says 'Anything Can Happen' (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Fred Rolland performs solo (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Fred Rolland performs solo (credit: Stephanie Billen)