Fringe Reviews
BUXTON FRINGE LAUNCH PARTY - Underground
And it’s back for its 46th year and amazingly Underground Venues 20th year at the Fringe! Time has certainly flown by, but if last night’s show was anything to go by then both are going from strength to strength. A packed house saw excerpts from a range of shows you can see at the Fringe this year.
If you like comedy you are in for a treat with firm favourites and regulars returning and shiny new shows too! Among the favourites are Angela Bra – part time music teacher, full time drama queen – who has a game of bingo in the show to entice you along. Expect lots of audience participation in that one! The Totally Improvised Musical is back after sell-out shows last year and they can always guarantee a laugh filled show. Like bags? Like body bags? Well Graham Winter has the show for you – 500 bags no less - and he too offers prizes as well as mystery and mirth. You have to hand it to a man who spends his entire show in a very large black plastic bag don’t you?
There’s music mixed with comedy in the shape of Fred Up who return with their show Telly Full of Songs but with new material in there. The folks around the room loved it and were only too happy to join in, so there’s every likelihood of you catching the bug when you go see their show. As well as music, theatre is always part of the Fringe and Underground’s portfolio and there are spooky goings on from the Northern Powerhouse Theatre Company and their show Almost Haunted, and last night’s audience loved what they saw.
Of course given this is the start of their 20th season here in Buxton, there had to be something from the dynamic duo Tom Crawshaw and Yaz Al-Shaater, and they duly obliged. Lots of laughs at the memories, mishaps and more that have made them such a welcome member of the Fringe family – there was even cake, although sadly we didn’t get a look in…
The whole evening featuring a large number of performances was compered by the redoubtable (and award-winning) Rob Rouse who kept the whole thing moving along in perfect order. Oh yes, he has two shows in the Fringe too – don’t miss them!
Lastly a shout out to the UV technical and backstage team including Charles on sound who probably had the hardest job of all, and a very big thank you to Buxton Working Men’s Club who have gone above and beyond to help provide a great venue for this year’s Fringe. Thank you!
So, check out the Fringe website, diary and social media – including Bluesky – to see what’s on and get down to support the Fringe in any way you can. See you around town.
Ian Parker Heath
