Fringe Fun For All The Family
| 25th May 2016
What: The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival
When: 24 June – 31 July
Where: 30 different venues including Albert Square, Northern Quarter, Salford, and Whitefield
The fifth Greater Manchester Fringe Festival takes place this summer with 108 alternative and innovative shows over 38 days at 30 different venues including Albert Square, Northern Quarter, Salford, and Whitefield.
The event features more than 50 comedy shows – including Robin Ince from the Rose d’Or and Sony Gold award winning Infinite Monkey Cage – plus 43 plays, two free Write for the Stage workshops for aspiring producers and four family events.
Drama premieres include Die Diana (Stephen M Hornby), Runaway (Richard Stringer), Two Rucksacks and A Map of the World (Clarke McWilliam), Senseless Romance (Gavin Shankland), Britainland (Tess Humphrey), and Concrete Jungle by television journalist Sarah O’Connell. As well as I’m Standing Next To You at Twenty Twenty Two (2, 9 and 16 July), a play on isolation and loneliness in a world of social media, directed by Tom Hodson and supported by Arts Council England.
Music dramas include The Velvet Afterlife (2-3 July, Eagle Inn) meeting Lou Reed, Nico and Andy Warhol in the afterlife; and Gypsies Mancs and Thieves from the Exploding Plastic Inevitable (10 July, King’s Arms), exploring the dark underbelly of society through the songs of Tom Waits and the poetry of Charles Bukowski. As well as poetry and spoken word premieres from Christopher Bowles at Salford Arts Theatre and Hacienda DJ and author Dave Haslam at Manchester Central Library.
Stone Roses tour manager Steve “Adj” Atherton will also be talking to John Robb at Albert Square Chophouse on his new book The Evolution of Manc. Whilst Private Eye cartoonist Tony Husband will be talking to award-winning journalist Sally Williams about his book Take Care, Son: The Story of My Dad and Dementia.
DJing as part of All Dayer of North West Bands will be Mike Joyce (The Smiths) at the King’s Arms on Saturday 9 July. As well as Clint Boon on the decks on Sunday 10 July as pert of Mrs Boon’s Cake Rave, an afternoon event ideal for parents that love music and cake to bring their children. Other family events include Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave, Bubbleshow with Milkshake and Three.
Greater Manchester director Lisa Connor said: “Greater Manchester Fringe encourages writers and performers to try out new ideas. Some have never put on a show before. A few are more established and previewing before going to Edinburgh Fringe or on a UK tour. It is like having Edinburgh Fringe on your doorstep and makes the arts very accessible. Venues include pubs and Manchester Central Library, reaching out to people who may have never been to the theatre before.”
Tickets for Greater Manchester Fringe 24 June – 31 July 2016 are available now via www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk