PRESS RELEASE 12th March 2026 - For immediate release
Over 100 entrants have already registered for this year’s Buxton Fringe so far with just a few weeks to go before the April 19th final entry date for the highly popular printed programme. Entrants still have until the end of March to take advantage of a reduced entry fee of £77.
Comedy acts are flooding in, representing over a third of the Fringe’s entries so far. New events include a host of acts appearing as part of Den of Laughs’ Fringe comedy weekends at the Lee Wood Hotel (July 11th-12th and 18th-19th). Amongst these are Hungry!, the aptly named debut solo show of rising star Charlie Lewis exploring his battle with an eating disorder, high-energy international cabaret star EnricoTouché and for audiences with an interest in politics, A History of The Last Conservative Government… In Their own Stupid Words! in which Harun Musho’d takes one for the team by reading and fact-checking the memoirs of Cameron, May, Truss, Hancock and Johnson.
Intimate venue Beer & Bean will host the Menkle Brothers, featuring one failed musician, one slightly inadequate swimming teacher and two terrible receding hairlines. Also at Beer & Bean is Plonka, the new stand-up show from Tim Biglowe about finding life’s golden ticket. If only!
Music is also a major category with the impressive line-up so far including previous award winners, the Burbage Band, back with a bang and featuring world-renowned brass soloists Glyn and Helen Williams. Jazz also features in the Fringe this year with singer-songwriter Hannah Brine, also a previous award winner, singing at the United Reformed Church, whilst jazz violinist Ben Holder is joined by some of the UK’s most respected jazz musicians in Ben Holder & Co upstairs at The Old Clubhouse.
Theatrical productions include local puppetry group Two Left Hands presenting Guardians of the Wye, a brand-new show telling the story of Otter, lost in the Wye Valley and hunting for a new home. Performances of this include one in the Burbage Institute and one outside in the Pavilion Gardens - audiences are advised to come equipped! Meanwhile taking place in the Mechanics Institute in Eyam is Jane: England’s Nine Day Queen, a bold new musical about Lady Jane Grey. Winning a possible best title prize is Sadomasochism for Accountants (In Concert), from Ashgate Heritage Arts, billed as a ‘sharp, hilarious musical comedy.’
Street theatre will include Hubert’s Buxton Ghost Walk inviting Fringe-goers to walk around scary Buxton with Hubert Hobux if they dare. Another brand-new walk which explores the town in a tongue-in-cheek, alternative way is Buxton is The Totally Made-Up Tour from Discover Buxton Tours.
Looking forward to summer, the Serpentine Community Garden will be opening its doors again, the Pride Picnic will be out and about in the Pavilion Gardens and Funny Wonders will be inviting people to follow its Flowerpot Trail. There are also a host of shows and events guaranteed to appeal to all the family including the Fringe’s own new event Saturday on The Bandstand on July 18th, replacing Fringe Sunday this year.
Fringe organisers are expecting many more entries before April 19th with longstanding managed venue Underground also returning in the same venues as last year: The Space in Spring Gardens and Buxton Working Men’s Club.
A sneak preview of Fringe talent will be offered at the Fringe’s free event Springboard, an open-to-all, spring-themed party at The Pump Room on Saturday 11th April from 7-9pm.
Fringe Vice Chair Carole Garner says: "Every year brings new and surprising things to the Buxton Fringe. With so many returning and new entries, it’s clear that our reputation as The Friendly Fringe is spreading!’
For more information about what’s on at the Fringe and how to take part, audiences should visit www.buxtonfringe.org.uk, which also offers information on how to sign up as a volunteer, reviewer or Fringe Friend and/or make a donation. The free Buxton Fringe App, available from Google Play or Apple's App Store, also offers full listings.
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