Layout 7 - Bedford Festival Fringe

welcome
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
We made it! We can’t believe it’s been ten years since we started
back in 2007… the days before Twitter… Facebook was just hitting
our screens and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was
released… I know this because half the front of house team
disappeared one morning heading in the direction of Waterstones!
To date we have programmed just under 825 shows. That’s over
2000 performers! That puts Bedfringe in the top five largest Fringe
Festivals in the country.
This year we are running exclusively from The Quarry Theatre hosting
events in the main auditorium, studio theatre and forecourt. Highlights
for me are Bane 4, Paul Foot, WiFi Wars and Mitch Benn.
However… take a risk and see something you might not usually
choose to see… that’s what it’s all about. Catch one or two of our
world premier shows and be amongst the person to see the next big
name in comedy! We are hosting over 40 Edinburgh shows plus more
than 30 shows from local performers so hopefully there is something
for everyone during this special year.
James Pharaoh: Festival Director
Photo credit: Aidan Huxford
Welcome to your 10th anniversary
Fringe Festival… Over 100 events
under 1 roof… in 10 days! #itsinthecan
James & Fiona
‘Sum up Bedfringe in about 200 words’ were the instructions I was given from Mr Pharaoh. I tried, but failed many times so
instead this is what Bedfringe means to me.
I started back in 2007 as a lowly technician, with little knowledge of lighting desks and even less of what a fringe festival was. 10
Bedfringes later I am its proud co-director, and champion… and I know a little more about tech too. But most of all, Bedfringe is
the most fun festival I have ever seen. The lovely people in matching t-shirts make it a joy for us and for you, and they give of
their time for nothing, for which our thanks will never be enough.
As a born and bred Bedfordian I feel privileged to offer this range and depth of art and culture to my town and its people, for it is
you, the lovely people reading this, buying tickets and seeing shows, that makes our job possible year after year.
To those who have supported, sponsored, work on, performed in and turned up to the last 10 years we thank you, please
continue to do so. With past performers like Jack Whitehall, Josh Widdicome and Lee Nelson… who knows, you might see the
next big thing here.
Fiona Fowler: Festival Co-Director
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Adelaide Fringe: 12th February – 14th March
welcome
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
Bedfringe Team
Director ................................................James Pharaoh
Co-Director...............................................Fiona Fowler
Assistant Director & Social Media ..Lily Hannant
Public Relations ..................................Hutch PR
Brochure Design ............................Rosetta Publishing
Website Design .................................Jack Templeman
Branding & Identity.............................We Can Creative
Additional thanks to: Bedford School, The
Harpur Trust, Jules Crossley, Kati Donlon,
Susan & Harry Fowler, Jacquie Manners,
Sandra Dudley, Erica Roffe, Caryl Jones,
Vanessa Mason and to all of our 2016 front of
house and technical teams.
Front of House (at time of going to print):
Hywel Thomas, Helena Marsh, Alex Monks,
Theo Green, Alice Wright, Dan Nickolls,
Oliver Milton, James Mann, James Doughty,
Mark Steinhardt, David Baxter, Jackie Thomas,
Joanie Octor, Joshua Nethersole, Katherine
Law, Annette Hickey, Josh Jenkins, Conrad
Staroscik, Helena Prettyman, Bekki Short,
Ros Miller, and Hattie Idle and Logan Jones.
Contents
Welcome
Pages 2-5
Children’s Theatre
Pages 6-8
Comedy
Pages 9-21
Theatre
Pages 22-26
Dance & Physical Theatre Pages 27-28
Music
Page 29
Film
Page 30
Special Events
Page 31
With thanks to our 2016 sponsors
Caryl Jones
communications
This year’s charity
Stroud Fringe: 26th – 28th August
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how to fringe
Take a punt
First things first… have a look through our brochure and
see what takes your fancy. Remember, Bedfringe is all
about discovering new experiences and new work.
Every year we see many of our artists go onto big things,
so be the first to see them here!
Please note: The programme is subject to change so
please check the website for all updates.
Age suitability: The age ratings are there to try to help
you gauge appeal. It’s not a legal restriction.
All events are self rated. Bedfringe is not liable for any
incorrect rating.
Booking tickets: This year tickets for our events can be
purchased online at www.bedfringe.com Terms & Conditions: The Bedfringe programme is subject to change so please
visit our website for all our latest updates. Tickets cannot be exchange or
refunded except in the event of a show cancellation or a show being rescheduled. Latecomers may not be admitted. General concession prices are
applicable to students, the unemployed, people with disabilities (often with one
helper), over-60s and children under the age of 16 (Except children’s shows).
Proof of status may be required at the venue. Please note that some shows may
start late or over-run the planned running time. For full terms & conditions are
presented at time of purchase.
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box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
Box office opening times: The Quarry Theatre phone
line is manned 10am – 12noon pre festival dates. 12noon Monday to Saturday outside the festival dates
During the festival it will be manned 10:30am – 10.30pm. Do leave a message if the call is not answered and a
member of staff at the venue will get back to you. The box office telephone number is 01234 362337.
Social: Follow us on Twitter and
Facebook! Use #bedfringe to tag
your comments.
/bedfringe
@bedfringe
Go straight to the Bedfringe website (scan QRcode).
The Quarry Theatre has wheelchair
access and parking provision for
wheelchair users. Please contact the
venue if you require disabled parking
during your visit.
Brighton Fringe: 6th May – 5th June
venue info
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
The venue
Venue 1: The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s
26 St Peter’s Street,
Bedford, MK40 2NN
www.quarrytheatre.org.uk
Venue 1: Main Auditorium
Venue 2: The Studio Theatre
Venue 3: The Quarry Theatre Forecourt
Venue 4: The Quarry Theatre Gallery
QUEEn’S STREET
CAR PARK
VENUES
PETER’S
✞ ST
ChURCh
ST PETER’S
ST CAR PARK
1-4
LURKE STREET
CAR PARK
✞
ST PAUL’S
SQUARE
E
LAn
TLE
CAS
ThE SwAn hoTEL
Bath Fringe: 27th May – 12th June
ThE EmBAnKmEnT
5
children’s theatre
BAD GUYS
Derek, Ernie & Dick
are really bored of
being good. It’s just
GoT to be more fun
being a baddy. But
being an evil scientist,
pirate or cowboy is
tricker than they
thought. Can the
bumbling brothers
learn how to stay out
of jail and be real Bad
Guys?
Join Comedy Club 4
Kids & CBeebies
‘Spot Bots’ stars, the Three half Pints, as they trip and
stumble their way through a brand new comic misadventure,
packed with songs, slapstick, silliness and accidental derring
do!
5pm (24th), 12noon (25th), 2pm (26th)
£9.50 (£7.50 ConC.)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
5yrs+
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box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
CAPTAIN
FANTASTIC!
Captain Fantastic’s
old enemy, Doctor
Zob, is up to his
usual tricks, trying to
steal all the chocolate
in the world.
But today the Captain
has other things on
his mind. Like helping
a princess to rescue
a dragon from a
pirate. All in a day’s
work for Captain
Fantastic and his trusty sidekick, winston The Dog. Until
Professor Zob decides that chocolate isn’t enough and steals
the Captain too! he’s going to need a lot of help to get out of
this one!
who will save Captain Fantastic from the clutches of Doctor
Zob? winston the Dog? Pirate Polly? his mum?
what about you? will you come and be part of the adventure
and rescue Captain Fantastic? Your Captain needs you!
4pm (26th), 12noon (27th & 30th)
£7.50 (£6 ConC.)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
50 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
4yrs+
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THE DARK ROOM:
FAMILY FRIENDLY
VERSION!
It’s our 10th anniversary so we
had to invite him back… and
another chance to escape ThE
DARK Room!
4,000,000 YouTube hits! The
world’s only live-action video
game! Come play! win terrible
prizes! The audience is
trapped in a dark room – and
your only companion is the
floating head of a gameshow
host.
Get ready for a wild time and try to win the £1000 cash prize!
It’s a text adventure for the whole audience! It’s improvised
comedy that’s genuinely improvised!
★★★★★ Fringe Review ★★★★★ The Skinny
★★★★★ Three Weeks ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
★★★★ The List
“Ridiculously entertaining” The Scotsman
2.00pm
£9.50 (£7.5 ConCESSIon)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
8yrs+
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Calgary Fringe: 29th July – 6th August
children’s theatre
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
THE ELVES
AND THE
SHOEMAKER
Shooooooooooooes…!
Ah, new shoes…
Delightful on the feet.
Soft, dancing shoes;
swarthy pirate shoes;
silver buckle and silken
soles. no one makes
shoes like an elf.
This well-known and
well-loved tale – made
popular by the Ladybird
Classic – has been re-heeled by Theatre of widdershins in
their own inimitable style. Beautifully crafted set and puppets,
sublime music, a kaleidoscope of miniature shoes and a comic
mouse all make this show a magical ‘must see’.
★★★★★ A Younger Theatre
★★★★ Three Weeks
★★★★★ Broadway Baby
1.00pm
£9.50 (£7.50 ConCESIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
3yrs+
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MORGAN &
WEST’S
UTTERLY
SPIFFING
SPECTACULAR
MAGIC SHOW
A show for kids (and
childish grown-ups!).
Time travelling Victorian
magic duo morgan & west
unload another boxful of
bafflement and
impossibility. witness a mountain of mysterious magic, a hatful
of hyper-reality, and of course a truck full of tricks and tea
(sadly there are no actual mountains or trucks on stage during
the show, mr west simply would not have them).
mixing brain busting illusion and good old fashioned tomfoolery, morgan & west present a show for all the family,
where magic and silliness abound! Fun for ages 5 to 105*.
*105 is rather an arbitrary upper age limit really – it just
seemed to flow well in the prose.”
1.30pm
£9.50 (£7.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
5yrs+
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Prague Fringe: 27th May – 4th June
THE LAST
POST
Step on board the
pillar-box red
van-atorium known
as mobile Sorting
office 451 and be
transported to a
world where snail
mail reigns
supreme.
Surrounded by postage paraphernalia from a much-travelled
life you’ll meet Verity, the irrepressible heiress of an
international pen-pal agency, and Red, a redundant postmaster. witness the unwrapping of their curious love story,
accompanied by live music, provided by Tomaz (who arrived
one day in a jiffy bag).
Following the play you’re invited to stay for a tot of sherry and
a rummage in the stationery supplies before hopping onto a
vintage typewriter or picking up a quill to write that letter you’ve
been meaning to send. If you need some inspiration you can
pick up a postcard from the ‘Friends for Pens’ pin-board and
write to a real life recipient who is waiting for your letter.
1.30pm & 3.30pm
ThE QUARRY ThEATRE FoRECoURT
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
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£5
75 mins
All ages
F
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29 30
SING ALONG
WITH THE
FROGS’
CHORUS
Join Coco as she
takes you through a
musical journey –
finding friends and
adventure along the
way. A little bit panto
and a lot of fun for little
ones, you’ll recognise
favourite songs and
learn a few new ones.
Perfect for small
children.
The show includes
puppets, bubbles, counting, singing and movement. Coco
(Kris) is a skilled early years music specialist and musician.
She is also a Theodora Children’s Charity Giggle Doctor and
works with children in hospital and with special needs.
2.00pm
£6.50 (£5.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
45 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
2yrs+
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children’s theatre
TRICKY
TEDDY’S
SEASIDE
MAGIC
SHOW
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
WIDDERSHINS’
STORY TIME:
THE
FISHERMAN
AND THE
DJINNI
Experience a day at
the beach as you
have never before
as you embark on a
magical journey with
Krisgar & Tricky
Teddy! Endless fun
is to be had with jawdropping magic,
illusions and
interactive games.
Smiles and laughter
are guaranteed.
Children’s Entertainer of the Year Winner 2013-14
Gil Leaney Stage Competition of the Year Winner 2015-16
what will be his fate?
Potton based Theatre of widdershins have been a Bedfringe
favourite since 2008!
Come and join them for their 9th fringe.
12noon
£7 (£5 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
45 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
4yrs+
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2.00pm
£5.50 (£4.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
40 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
6yrs+
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Kalifah the fisherman is
not very successful at
fishing and consequently
is very poor.
whilst waiting for a bite,
one day, he discovers an
ancient bottle.
of course, his curiosity
gets the better of him.
WIDDERSHINS’
STORY TIME:
STONE SOUP
A humble storyteller is down
on his luck and in need of a
new story.
his luck changes, however,
when he realises he can
outwit the hideous chef
wafflesweat by making him
a delicious soup from a
humble stone.
Potton based Theatre of
widdershins have been a
Bedfringe favourite since
2008!
Come and join them for their
9th fringe.
12noon
£5.50 (£4.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
40 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
8yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
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Pulse Fringe: 26th May – 4th June
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
ALFIE
MOORE:
GETTING
AWAY WITH
MURDER
In this brand new
show Alfie moore,
star of BBC Radio 4
‘It’s A Fair Cop’, and
former Detective
Sergeant, will provide
a detailed step by
step guide to enable
you to achieve this
goal. Everything you
need to know from
choosing a murder weapon to disposing of the body.
“Very funny… a large dash of gallows police humour”
The Telegraph
“Offbeat, revealing and very funny” The Mail
8.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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ANNA MORRIS: IT’S
GOT TO BE PERFECT
The critically-acclaimed character
comic, star of ITV2’s Bad Bridesmaid
and BBC one’s outnumbered,
brings her smash-hit, sell-out
Edinburgh show to Bedfringe.
You are invited to attend the wedding
rehearsal viral YouTube star
(Georgina’s wedding Blogs)
Georgina Francis (dubbed ‘Britain’s
worst Bride’ in the press) and her
long suffering fiancé Simon, a
Conservative politician.
Georgina is determined to have ThE
perfect wedding when she ties the knot this year, so what
better way to make sure everything goes smoothly than to
rehearse as many times as possible, all over the UK, using the
audience as fill-in guests?!
“Beautifully crafted comedy” The Independent
“Spot-on, darkly comic characters. She’s comedy gold”
Huffington Post
“The best wedding I’ve ever been to” ★★★★ Broadway Baby
4.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
18yrs+
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BANE 4
It’s a privilege to announce
that Joe & Ben will be
returning to Bedfringe this
year with the latest
instalment of the Bane
series.
Don’t worry if you haven’t seen
the other three, it’s an
individual show in its own right!
‘Bane 4′ follows hitman Bruce
Bane as he attempts to erase
his past and discover what went wrong. Joe Bone tells the story
like a movie, to Ben Roe’s live soundtrack. All the Bane shows
are independent stories and can be seen in any order.
“Excellent” The Times
“A brilliant hour of comedy theatre… could just be the best
crime movie never made” The Guardian
“These are riotous spectacles which dazzle with inventiveness
and shine with wicked humour” The Londonist
“It’s a brilliant hour of comedy theatre” The Guardian
“Joe Bone’s performance is phenomenal… extremely funny”
Time Out
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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Hollywood Fringe: 9th – 26th June
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comedy
“Bedfringe is a little ripper of a festival. We had an
awesome time performing here”. AUNTY DONNA
BANGING FUN
STUFF:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
A crime has been
committed and all hope
rests upon PC Pauline, a
worrisome policewoman
searching for suspects.
Don’t let her gangliness
fool you. There is a
cunning mind buried
deep… deep down
inside her; next to her
sexy siren. She solves crime. She can twirl and jump through a
hoop. She was shortlisted for the Policewoman of the Year
1999. But her fate is in your hands…
Comedy, clowning and live/sonic functional music combine to
create a new semi-improvised physical comedy format:
Banging Fun Stuff (BFS). The music/sound effects are created
not just in front of the audience but, at times, by the audience.
Bedfringe 2016: Director’s One To Watch!
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
BEASTS:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
Sketch heroes BEASTS
début in Bedford with a
brand new hour of
inspired nonsense.
“The new breed of
sketch comedy”
The Guardian
“Unforgettably nutty”
★★★★ The Times
“A tsunami of silliness”
★★★★ The Telegraph
“Impossible not to cry with laughter” ★★★★ Sunday Express
“Pure, unabashed silliness” ★★★★ Metro
“Sheer outrageousness” ★★★★ Chortle
“Organised chaos reigns” ★★★★ The Stage
Bedfringe Director’s Choice 2016
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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BELLA YOUNGER:
DELICIOUSLY
STELLA
Deliciously Stella is not your
average health guru. A devotee
of the #eatclean phenomenon
with a huge social media
following, she’s hoping to share
her diet secrets with the
masses. The only issue is, her
diet is anything but healthy…
Deliciously Stella’s idea of a
green juice is a bottle of Apple
Sourz. her pasta alternatives
shun spiralizers in favour of
strawberry laces and her
beloved ‘coconut water’ is
actually a bottle of malibu.
In this brand new show, Bella
Younger brings Deliciously Stella to life in an hour of hilarious
character comedy. Brace yourselves for nutribullshit.
“Hilarious” Buzzfeed
6.00pm
£8 (£7.00 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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Grassington Fringe: 17th June – 2nd July
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
THE BEST OF
CASTLE
COMEDY
Bedford’s No.1 Comedy
Club
Three of the biggest stars
from the UK comedy
circuit will be taking the
stage for the ultimate
comedy show!
opening the show is
Paul Sinha. he is best
known for his starring
role in ITV1’s The Chase,
where he regularly chases
down opponents in his guise
as ‘The Sinnerman’. he won
the Chortle award for ‘Best
Club Comic’ in 2014.
“Wonderfully inventive and
intelligent”
Evening Standard
next up is Adam Kay, one
of the greatest musical
comedians on the UK
comedy circuit. he has had
over 10 million hits on
YouTube (including the
iconic London Underground
song) and is a regular on
The now Show (Radio 4).
Closing the show is Gary Delaney. Gary is a razor-sharp
one-liner comedian, who is a regular guest star on mock The
week (BBC2) and is widely regarded as being the most
quotable comic on the circuit.
“Expect a cavalcade of brilliantly inventive puns from this master
of the one-liner” The Guardian
8.00pm
ThE STUDIo AT ThE QUARRY ThEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
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BIG HOWARD LITTLE
HOWARD: MAN AND
BOY (EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
£12
120 mins
16yrs+
F
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29 30
THE BOSUN’S
DELIGHT:
SPECTACULAR
SKETCHTACULAR
Big howard and Little howard, the
world’s first and only human/
cartoon double act are coming up
to celebrating 15 years in Showbiz.
one of them is still six. The other
one definitely isn’t.
They’ve performed all over the
world, appeared on The Royal
Variety, This morning and had their own series on the BBC.
But is this the end of the road?
Their best sketches for adults and some very silly new ones.
“Genius” The Radio Times
“Witty, clever, at times breathtakingly funny comedy”
The Sunday Times
Note: This show is not suitable for children!
The Bosun’s Delight are a
sketch troupe who came
together in early 2015 under the
tutelage of comedy producer
and director Chris head and
then went on to perform to sell-out crowds in a number of
venues across London.
The Bosun’s Delight Spectacular Sketchtacular will take you on
a darkly-entertaining journey of the surreal and absurd, all
whilst introducing you to their diverse range of wickedlyobserved characters from the enigmatically insane to the
humorously larger-than-fiction.
The Bosun’s Delight are made up of Andrew Carberry, Jules
Garnett, matt hurley, Jac Latham, Vic Rance, Christopher
Serbutt and Jenny wheeler.
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
9.00pm (24th) 2.00pm (30th)
£8 (£7 ConCESSonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
18yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Gibraltar Fringe: 22nd – 24th
11
comedy
“You were a genuine delight. I haven’t enjoyed a show
to that extent in quite a while, enormous thanks”
★★★★★ MORGAN & WEST
CARD NINJA
After a standing-room only
season at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival, Javier
Jarquin brings awardwinning show ‘Card ninja’
to Bedfringe!
watch as Javier uses
ordinary playing cards as
weapons, with
unfathomable precision,
speed and power, in a
unique, hilarious
performance that you’ll
never forget. ‘Card ninja’ is
a one-man comedy show
with upbeat humour, impressive stunts and smooth audience
interaction for anyone who’s ever wanted to be a little bit ninja...
Warning: This show contains ninjas, noT magic.
“Jarquin is seriously talented when it comes to working a
crowd… the real aces up his sleeve, however, were his
winning, charismatic stage personality, and some genuinely
punch comedy material” The Stage
1.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
8yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
CLARE
PLESTED:
FLOCK UP
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
Clare performed at the
very first Bedfringe! we
are delighted to have
her back for our 10th
anniversary festival.
‘Flock Up’: def.
(collective noun), people
who make a tit of
themselves. Join Clare
Plested in the hide as
she observes five flock
ups in their natural habitat. Binoculars provided; egg stealers
will be prosecuted; twitchers welcome. Character comedy from
a total flock up.
“A natural character actress” The Scotsman
“Like a better-looking Dave Allen… she’s wonderful” Chortle
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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12
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
CHRIS
PURCHASE:
DISTRACTED
This is intelligent comedy. If
you think our government
are doing a great job, if you
think the world is absolutely
fine and if you think iPhones
are made by magic pixies in
a happy realm filled with
music and gum drops ThEn
ThIS Show ISn’T FoR
YoU! This is deep, dark
comedy and not for people
with a fragile disposition.
Left humour with teeth.
There is also juggling. we’re all so distracted that we’ve
forgotten about the important things.
“Charismatic and entertaining” Comedy Central
“Had the crowd roaring, lapped it up. Full of energy, loud,
charismatic. Lovely.” The Stand
Sell-out show run at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival
What’s On Magazine Best Comedian 2016 Nominee
10.15pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
THE DARK
ROOM: THIRD
TIME LUCKY
It’s our 10th anniversary so
we had to invite him back…
and another chance to
escape ThE DARK Room!
4,000,000 YouTube hits!
The world’s only live-action
video game! Come play!
win terrible prizes! The
audience is trapped in a
dark room – and your only
companion is the floating
head of a gameshow host.
Get ready for a wild time
and try to win the £1000 cash prize! It’s a text adventure for the
whole audience! It’s improvised comedy that’s genuinely
improvised!
★★★★★ Fringe Review ★★★★★ The Skinny
★★★★★ Three Weeks ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
★★★★ The List
“Ridiculously entertaining” The Scotsman
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Buxton Fringe: 6th – 24th July
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
DIRTY
WHITE BOYS
As yet undiscovered
comedians, Chazz
Redhead and Jack
Robertson love
making jokes almost
as much as they hate
each other. Together
they have joined
forces to create kickass sketch duo Dirty
white Boys!
From surreal to
downright silly, this
truly odd couple
comically tackle
everything from office rivalries to the politest way to eat a
baguette. Expect loud noises, high energy silliness, and rather
dramatic tonal shifts.
“This comedy duo has oodles of talent up the yin yang… Clever,
witty, and brilliantly acted” ★★★★ Londontheatre1
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
18yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
ED PATRICK:
JUNIOR
OPTIMIST
Ed Patrick is both standup comedian and junior
doctor. Following his first
experiences/blind panic
working in the much loved
nhS, and the challenges it
faces, he now presents his
debut stand-up show.
“Masterful, often playfully
provocative writing”
Chortle
“He is certainly good
enough to make a career
switch. If I was him I’d quit
medicine and do stand-up” London Evening Standard
Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Nominee 2016
Former finalist in both the Chortle Student Comedy
Awards and Paramount Comedy Funniest Student Award.
10.15pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Avignon Off: 7th – 30th July
DOUG SEGAL:
I CAN MAKE
YOU FEEL
GOOD
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
Doug Segal (winner: Best
Cabaret Act, Brighton
Fringe) previews his new
show which is designed to
make you feel good!
Following criticallyacclaimed, sell-out shows all around the country, grab this
opportunity to see Doug who Time out has described as “the
UK’s best-kept entertainment secret”. As seen on BBC1 and
BBC3.
“Imagine if Derren Brown was funny” Evening Standard
“Simply brilliant” ★★★★★ Sunday Express
“Segal rips it up, slick and in command” The Herald
Best Cabaret Act – Brighton Fringe 2012
Three Weeks Editor’s Award – Edinburgh Fringe 2012
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
ELEANOR
CONWAY’S WALK
OF SHAME
have you ever done the walk
of shame?
Ferocious clubber and party
girl Eleanor Conway spent her
twenties partying around the
world as a music journalist.
She’s worked for the Chinese
mafia, made hardcore porn
and Tinder’d her way through
most of London. now with a
year of sobriety from alcohol
and substances under her belt
she’s learnt a few things.
Previewing her debut solo
show about porn, sex, drugs, drink and all the stuff you’re
supposed to know by Tinder age 31. Come join Eleanor
Conway as she walks you through her shame. Let’s stumble
through it together…
“I’m confused and scared, in a good way… she’s brilliant”
★★★★★ Cream Of The Fringe
10.00pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
13
comedy
ELLIE TAYLOR:
INFIDELLIETY
Join star of mock the
week, Snog marry Avoid,
The John Bishop Show
and 8 out of 10 Cats, Ellie
Taylor as she prepares a
brand new show for 2016.
In Infidelliety, Ellie tries
her hardest to get to grips
with that pesky bit of
marriage known as
monogamy.
At least, that’s what it was
about when she wrote this
blurb. It could be 60
minutes on budgies by
now.
“Radiates natural charisma..blessed with great flair”
The Guardian
“Smart, self mocking and telegenic, it’s hard to see what is
going to stand in Taylor’s way” The Scotsman
4.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
FUNMBI OMOTAYO:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
Funmbi omotayo’s friendly,
instantly likeable style won him
the award for Best newcomer at
the Black Entertainment Comedy
Awards. he has since gone on to
win the prestigious Leicester
Square new Act of the Year
competition in 2012 shortly after
becoming joint winner of Amused
moose’s Laugh off Competition in
the same year.
Gently paced stories and anecdotes are delivered warmly and
confidently from this relative newcomer.
“A charming young comic…he’s got the jokes to back up his
charm. Soon, he could be playing to thousands” Time Out
“Plenty of original insights and honest home-truths to enjoy”
Chortle
“A classy young stand-up and a headliner in the making”
London Is Funny
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
14
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
FERN BRADY:
WORK IN
PROGRESS
Following last year’s
sell-out run for her
critically-acclaimed
debut show ‘People Are
Idiots’ Fern is back with
a new show about
gender, class and
Catholicism. As seen
on BBC3 Britain’s
Biggest Sexists,
Stewart Lee’s
Alternative Comedy
Experience and C4’s 8 out of 10 Cats.
“Top 5 young comedians to watch” Telegraph
“Appealingly acidic” Guardian
“Bold, whip-smart and unabashedly honest” The Herald
“Brilliantly on point savvy seething” The List
“Last year she was promising; this year she’s kicking down the
door to the big time” Gigglebeats
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
GEOFF NORCOTT:
CONSWERVATIVE
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
A trade unionist’s son who
grew up on a council estate,
Geoff norcott is wondering
how he ended up leaning to
the right. A motley South
London upbringing may be the
root of his more troublesome
views in this brand new
‘satirically incisive’ (Scotsman)
hour of stand-up.
“Norcott is an absolute tonic”
★★★★ Telegraph
“Master of anecdotal story-telling”
★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
“Genuine iconoclast…more importantly he makes it funny”
Chortle
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Llangollen Fringe: 14th – 24th July
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
“Best Bedfringe ever!!! Well done James and
the whole team!!” AUDIENCE MEMBER
GOODBEAR:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
Five star sketch
comedy duo
Goodbear return with
a brand new show
that asks some pretty
big questions. Join
Joe Barnes and
henry Perryment as
they present a
selection of
characters and
occurrences from
around the world on a single day in 2016. It’ll leave you
questioning everything you’ve ever known. Probably.
“Smart and likeable” ★★★★★ Edfest Magazine
“Pure comedy gold dust” ★★★★★ The Scribe
“Not to be missed” ★★★★ The Comedy Reviewer
“Intelligent and infectious” ★★★★ The List
“Comedy brilliance” ★★★★ Edfringe Review
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
JIMMY
MCGHIE:
APOLOGIA
Jimmy’s sixth solo
hour, so according to
malcolm Gladwell
he’s only 9994 hours
away from being
brilliant. not that it’s
Jimmy’s fault it’s
taking so long.
“Clever, personal,
hilarious…
extraordinarily good…
you really should
see it”
The Scotsman
“See him now before
you have to queue
around The O2”
The Scotsman
7.15pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Bedfringe: 21st-30th July
comedy
IVO GRAHAM
Ivo Graham isn’t taking a
show up to Edinburgh this
year but this wasn’t going
to keep him from jumping
on an East midlands Train
and popping up for a night
at his favourite Fringe of
them all, having had a
whale of a time in Bedford
last year (solo show AnD
opening gala, the lucky
chap).
Do come join for a new(ish)
hour(ish) of comedy(ish)
from this young fogey / awkward posho / keen thank-you letter
writer, as seen/heard on various things including BBC3’s
Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live, Comedy Central’s Live At The
Comedy Store, XFm’s Josh widdicombe Show and 5 Live’s
Fighting Talk.
“Screams superstar … should be huge in five years’ time”
★★★★ Mail On Sunday
“Honed to within a whisker of perfection, a joyous show”
★★★★ Evening Standard
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
JOEL
DOMMETT:
WORK IN
PROGRESS
Join Joel (Bring the noise,
SKY1/Impractical Jokers,
BBC3/Drunk histories,
Comedy Central/Russell
howard’s Good news,
BBC3) as he tests out his
new tour show. It should be
good by now. If it’s not, he
hasn’t worked hard enough.
“Excellent story telling
comic” The Guardian
“Hilarious… Delightful tales”
The Scotsman
“He has presence, looks,
charm, but is he funny? The
answer is a resounding yes”
Chortle
7.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
15
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
JOHN
HASTINGS:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
John returns to
Bedfringe with his
brand new show!
John’s visa’s expiring,
his friends are
fighting, and there’s
been a murder. This
deft show about one
disastrous day is a
compelling piece of
comedy storytelling.
“A pleasure to watch” ★★★★ The Times
★★★★★ The Mirror
★★★★ The Herald
★★★★ The Fest
★★★★ Three Weeks
Amused Moose Top Ten Fringe Comedy Show 2015
6.00pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
JONNY & THE
BAPTISTS:
EAT THE
POOR
Preview
In 2009, future Prime
minister David Cameron
forgot how many
houses he owned.
within five years, homelessness had doubled.
A riotously funny musical epic about inequality, friendship and
betrayal. Satire, silliness and song combine in the latest show
from Jonny & the Baptists, multi-award-nominated stars of
Radio 4’s The now Show – fresh from a critically-acclaimed
40-date UK tour.
“Superbly crafted… very funny” ★★★★ Metro
“Wickedly amusing” ★★★★ The Times
“Gigglesome wordplay… broad, daft and punchy”
★★★★ The Guardian
“A seriously funny dose of satire” ★★★★ The Stage
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.00 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
16
JOHN
ROBERTSON:
LOOKING SHARP
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
John (Dark Room) Robertson
is previewing his brand new
stand-up show Looking Sharp
at this year’s fringe.
Dirty jokes! nice suit! Sit near
the front! It’s an arena show…
in a 100-seater (ish!). In his
3rd fabulous year at
Bedfringe, the Australian
wildman and insult comic unleashes 60 minutes of the best of
whatever comes into his head. Get ready for a party, and
everyone’s the pinata.
“utterly unique” ★★★★★ Skinny
★★★★★ Broadway Baby ★★★★ Three Weeks
★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals ★★★★ List
“a splendid comedy beast”
★★★★ Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
JULIETTE
BURTON:
DECISION TIME
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
Award-winning docu-comedian
Juliette Burton has to make a
BIG decision. Join Juliette as
she chooses her own
adventure. Can one choice
change a life? Can looking back help us move forward? It’s
time to make some good life choices.
“Burton’s got huge talent and then some!”
★★★★★ Daily Mirror
“Powerful stuff” ★★★★ Sunday Express
“A future star; someone call a TV producer… Burton’s ready
for a bigger audience!” ★★★★★ The Argus
“Charmingly open and honest… Burton’s loveable humour has
the audience laughing at themselves… uplifted as well as
entertained.” ★★★★ The Skinny
“Entertainment with real social purpose.”
★★★★ Broadway Baby
6.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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Oundle Fringe: 2nd – 8th July
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
MITCH BENN:
DON’T FEAR
THE REAPER
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
It’s been a morbid year for
“the country’s leading
musical satirist” (The
Times); he’s turned 46 –
over the hill by anyone’s
standards – his personal
life is in turmoil, and his
childhood heroes are
dropping like flies. At times like these, a man feels the Reaper
creeping up on him…
But is death anything to fear? And is it really the end?
mitch confronts his – and YoUR – mortality with hilarious (and
tuneful) consequences.
“Well crafted, well sung, his songs are just plain funny”
The Guardian
“Song after song of exquisitely crafted satire” The Scotsman
9.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
NICK HALL:
SZGRABBLE
Sketch comedian nick hall brings
his one-man Cold war thriller to
the Bedfringe. In this fast-paced,
energetic and hilarious multicharacter show, nick brings to life
a vivid world of spying, suspense,
seduction and most importantly –
Scrabble!
nick has appeared on BBC2, BBC
3 & BBC Radio 4, as well as
writing for BBC Radio 4 & ITV2.
he’s performed across the UK at
the Edinburgh Fringe, Brighton Fringe, Latitude Festival,
meadowlands Festival, Princes Trust and Soho Theatre.
“Brilliant” ThE TImES
“Crackingly original” ★★★★ The List
“Side splittingly funny” ★★★★★ Three Weeks
“Mad cap energy” ★★★★★ British Comedy Guide
“One not to miss” ★★★★ The Skinny
“Genuinely hilarious” ★★★★ Fringe Review
6.00pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Camden Fringe: 1st – 28th August
MMORPG
A crowd gathers, no doubt
they hear I seek a champion…
From the makers of
Knightmare Live comes The
mmoRPG show (Spirit of the
Festival winners VAULT
2016). Combining improvised
comedy with table top gaming
in an epic, sprawling, open
world, entirely made up
fantasy quest of the audience’s own devising, every show is
different. Every choice has a consequence, every success
decided by a large D20… (20 sided die)
will you be victorious? will you bring harmony to the kingdom
or will you betray Your new friends for personal glory?
“I very much recommend you seek this out”
James Mcmahon (Kerrang!)
“A great experience, one I’ll be sure to do again”
Bored? Game!
“A little gem” Stage Talk Magazine
“Charming and funny in equal measure”
★★★★ The Metropolist
9.00pm
£10.50 (£9.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
NORRIS &
PARKER:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
hailed as fearless performers
and skilled writers, Katie norris
and Sinead Parker will lure you
into their web of dark and
surreal comedy like two black
widows in lycra.
Their latest offering All our
Friends Are Dead is a wild and
ridiculous hour of sketches,
characters and songs weaved
within a narrative of underlying
aggression between norris &
Parker themselves.
The duo met at the manchester met School of Theatre
shackled together by a shared birthday, a shared flat and a
shared infatuation with Kate Bush. Their growing reputation
and cult following resulted in sell-out shows at last year’s
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
17
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
OLAF
FALAFEL:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
olaf Falafel, the
subject of over 75
million views on Vine,
brings his debut hour
show to Bedfringe.
Expect nonsense as
we journey through a
year in the life of an
idiot where the only
winners are stupidity and silliness.
“Olaf Falafel is an idiot, and wouldn’t have it any other way”
Steve Bennett, Chortle
“Skilfully delivered absurdist musings”
Three Weeks
“Olaf Falafel is like a chocolate digestive – very moreish”
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke
2.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
PATRICK
MONAHAN:
THAT 80s
SHOW
Pat monahan is back!
A brand new stand up
show from multi award
winning comic Patrick
monahan. his latest
stand up show talks
about the great
decade of the 80’s as
an Irish iranian
immigrant family
growing up in the
north of England. with
stories and routines of
living in the 80s to the
modern day.
Expect plenty of
dancing and hugging
as well as stand-up
comedy!
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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PAUL FOOT:
‘TIS A PITY SHE’S A PIGLET
Professor Ketchup and his camembert piglet join forces as
Paul tackles the big issues such as terrorism. Plus Ant ‘n Dec,
Immigration X-Factor and breakfast.
Paul’s recent television and radio appearances include
nevermind The Buzzcocks, would I Lie To You, 8 out of 10
Cats, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, If Katie hopkins
Ruled The world, Russell howard’s Good news and The
Infinite monkey Cage on BBC Radio4.
“Sublime, original and brilliant” The Independent
“Utterly outlandish, but beneath layers of absurdity is Foot’s
sharp eye for satire” Time Out
“He’s a comedy whirlwind from the school of Spike Milligan…..
It’s risky to call someone unique, but Foot is certainly pretty
close.” Three Weeks
Bedfringe Director’s Choice 2016
9.00pm
£10.50 (£9.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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18
Edinburgh Fringe: 5th – 29th August
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
“Congratulations on a spectacular festival. You
should be very proud” AUDIENCE MEMBER
PAUL JONES: THE
NERDFATHER
They say never meet your
heroes... They’re right, make
your KIDS meet them!
Join Brighton Comedy Festival
Squawker Awards finalist, BBC
Radio sketch writer and awardwinning costume maker Paul
Jones, as he presents his guide
to parenting for nerds.
Learn how to combine
fatherhood, prop making, stand-up comedy and a lifelong
obsession with science fiction, in this multimedia comedy show
that boldly goes where no dad has gone before….
“…an array of marvellously constructed one-liners.”
Three Weeks
“… a cadence and love of warped linguistics…his semideadpan one-liners contained some fine examples of the
genre.” Chortle
“This is well honed stand-up comedy from someone who knows
how to write wryly and with an edge born of wit” Fringe Review
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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PETE FIRMAN:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
Join the star of BBC1’s ‘The
magicians’ and the UK’s leading
comedian/magician as he
previews new jokes and tricks
for his next show. Expect his
own trademark blend of crowdpleasing comedy and jawdropping magic.
Pete has guested on countless
TV shows, including BBC2’s
‘The Sarah millican Television
Programme’, BBC1’s ‘ The John Bishop Show’, BBC1’s
‘Celebrity mastermind’ and BBC3’s ‘Edinburgh Comedy Fest
Live.’
“The new poster-boy for British comedy magic”
The Telegraph
“The best magic tricks in the universe” The Independent
“The man from Middlesbrough sets the pace for comedy-meetsmagic in the 21st century” The Times
9.10pm
£10 (£9 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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Brecon Fringe: 11th – 14th August
comedy
PAUL REVILL:
REVILLATIONS
The face of Castle Comedy
and Bedford favourite, Paul
Revill brings his debut hour
of comedy to Bedfringe.
Expect cheeky laughs and
silly voices as Paul tells the
true story of how he got the
acting role of a lifetime…
and how it all went wrong!
Drink! Drugs! Police!
Perfume? All will be
revealed!
“This bright sparky chappy
was a real quick-witted
geezer.”
★★★★★ Arts In
Leicestershire
“Steals the show”
★★★★ Three Weeks
Bath Comedy Festival
New Act Of The Year 2014
2.30pm
£8 (£7 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
ROBIN BOOT’S
ROCKOMEDY:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
musical comedian or
comedic musician – call him
what you like – Robin Boot’s
“Rockomedy” takes you on a
journey which combines
clever word-play and darkly
surreal lyrics with incredible
guitar, percussive feet and
beautiful hair – what more
can you ask for?
“Robin Boot’s deliciously
dark & surreally silly songs
are an absolute hoot… catch
him, you won’t be disappointed” Dead Parrot Society
“A one-man pun machine”
Christian O’connell, Absolute Radio
“Slayer on the acoustic… talented” Mark Little
New Comedian of the Year 2016 – 3rd Place
10.15pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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19
comedy
THE SCOTTISH
FALSETTO SOCK
PUPPET
THEATRE
COMPANY:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
Earth’s funniest footwear
return with a brand new
show of songs, sketches,
socks and violence, taking
on The Bard of Avon himself. howl at their hamlet, roar at
their Romeo & Juliet, and peer into their Coriolanus. Plus all
the usual satirical nonsense from the Two Gentlesocks of
Verrucca.
“The unparalleled pinnacle of comedy puppetry”
★★★★★ Venue
“Had every single audience member… laughing until they
cried.” ★★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News
“One of the truly great comic inventions of our time”
★★★★★ Theatre Bath
9.15pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
SHAKESPEARE’S
AVENGERS
ASSEMBLETH:
AGE OF OBERON
oberon’s gone mad. we’re
talking full-on hamlet. The
fairy king of midsummer
has kidnapped william
Shakespeare, Director of
S.h.I.E.L.D. (Shakespearean heroes
International Evil Lessening
Division) and his mischievous sidekick Puck has brought him
the Infinity Quill. A quill unlike any other, for the Infinity Quill has
the power to rewrite history itself and forge a new future at the
will of its master.
Slightly anxious of the scenario that is unfolding,
Shakespeare’s greatest heroes (and Brutus), decide that they
should do something to stop the oncoming apocalypse. Under
instructions from Puck they head to midsummer’s Forest.
Shakespeare’s Avengers have assemblethed.
A fast-paced comedy, featuring fairies, Romans and a whole
host of madness.
10.15pm (26th) 2.00pm (27th)
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
TOM BINNS:
SUMMERTIME
SPECIAL 2016
WITH IVAN
BRACKENBURY
AND IAN D
MONTFORT
Star of the criticallyacclaimed BBC one TV
show hospital People is
back with an updated
version of his sell-out fivestar one-man variety show
Club Sets.
★★★★★
The Scotsman
★★★★★
The Telegraph
★★★★★
Broadway Baby
7.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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20
NY Fringe: 12th – 28th August
comedy
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
TOM WARD:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
Comedian, writer, film-maker
and voice-over artist Tom
ward has made a name for
himself in comedy as a finalist
in the BBC Radio new
Comedy Award 2014,
Leicester Square new
Comedian Final 2013 and
nATY Final 2014. Tom has forged a successful and unique path
in the industry, with his inventive style incorporating his voiceover talents and improvisation, in addition to his innovative
writing.
“Equal parts hilarious and bizarre… One of the most impressive,
distinctive newish acts around”
Bruce Dessau – Beyond The Joke
“Unique, unpredictable, and able to carry off jokes about the
oddest of things… Definitely someone to look out for.”
London Is Funny
“Fine writing, evoking silly images and ideas, combines with a
distinctive look to make him memorable.” Chortle
7.30pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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WIFI WARS
From two of the men behind
gaming sensation Go 8-Bit (in
development for TV)…
“I have never heard the Royal
Institution audience cheer as
loudly, or laugh as hard, as
they did for WiFi Wars”
Martin Davies, Public
Programming Manager,
Royal Institution
wi-Fi wars is a live comedy
game show where you play
along! Log in with your
smartphone or tablet (make
sure you’ve got plenty of battery!) and compete in a range of
games, quizzes and challenges to win the show, and prizes!
hosted by comedian and regular video games commentator
Steve mcneil (Challenge TV’s VideoGame nation, Ginx TV’s
Console Yourself and Ginx Live), the show was first performed
as part of the Royal Institution’s 2015 Summer Programme after
Steve and Rob Sedgebeer’s appearance on their 2014 BBC
Christmas Lectures.
5.45pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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Ventnor Fringe: 9th – 14th August
THE
TRAVELLING
SISTERS
with wild eyes and a
wicked flavour of
comedy, Australian
trio The Travelling
Sisters serve up a
bevy of tragically
charming characters.
Ridiculous.
Unexpected.
“A hilarious and wellcrafted show that will
warm your comedy cockles” ★★★★ Funny Women
“There is something particularly enchanting about those who,
on realising that they have true talent, decide to do wonderfully
twisted things with it.” Aussie Theatre
“Think Gina Riley, Magda, and Jane Turner. Think French and
Saunders.” Anywhere Festival
6.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
WILL SEAWARD:
MAGNIFICENT
B*STARD
(EDINBURGH
PREVIEW)
will Seaward has become a
real supervillain and has
decided to take over the
world. And he’s going to do it
live on stage at Bedfringe!
hA hA hA hA! Tremble ye
innocents! nothing can stop him! noThInG!
warning: Audience may be devoured by piranhas.
“Part Brian Blessed, part Oscar Wilde, part crazed Victorian
music hall MC…a naturally funny fellow”
Telegraph – What To See 2015
“Pure comedy gold” ★★★★★ Festmag
“Utterly absurd and belly-achingly funny”
★★★★★ Three Weeks
“The only real way of describing him is ‘legend’”
★★★★★ New Current
9.00pm
£8 (£7 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
14yrs+
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21
theatre
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
100 ACRE
WOOD
what does it take for a
person with a mental
disorder to want to get
help? 100 Acre wood
takes you down the
winding woodland path
deep into the depths of
the forest that is everyday
life. negotiating the perils
of self discovery and
opening up a landscape
for play.
nonSens!cal are a theatre
ensemble that create
original performances
using absurdest constructs and heightened naturalism.
They formed the company at The School of Arts in
northampton, where they learnt their craft. They have always
been that group who would be a bit quirky and obscure when it
came to devising their own work, with most of their pieces
making no sense at all but keeping their audience engaged.
ALTERED
Faux Pas Theatre
are a five-piece
company exploring
false memory and its
detrimental effects.
Could you be lead
into remembering an
event so honestly, so
vividly; when really it
didn’t happen at all?
The story of
ALTERED focuses
on a young girl Beth’s
battle with her own
brain, as she discovers her past reality may not be as it seems.
Through this live performance, Faux Pas seek to promote
awareness on this somewhat complex subject. By injecting
dark comedy and post-modern techniques, we will ensure
that exploring the strain on human behaviour when giving
eye-witness testimony, is both informative and entertaining.
4.00pm (27th & 29th) 12noon (28th)
£8 (£7 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
10.15pm (28th) 2pm (29th) £7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
40 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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ALTAMONT
when Storm
helga, and a lone
rubber duck, blocks
a lighthouse’s only
exit, Andy and
marissa must do
anything to survive.
This black comedy
explores friendship,
betrayal and sea
shanties as two
near-strangers
battle South
England’s (mild)
cyclone, as well as
each other.
Quotes from previous shows:
“Inventive…unlike anything I have seen before!”
Nova Horley (Theatre Critic)
“A company with the passion and drive for success that is
rarely seen!” John Littlewood (Director)
on Saturday 6 December
1969 over 300,000
people arrive for
Altamont, the west
Coast’s version of
woodstock and the
Rolling Stones’ vision of
free music. But as dusk
descends on the drug and
alcohol-fuelled revelry
sinister forces threaten to
shatter the peace-andlove ethos of the 60s
forever.
The often forgotten
landmark concert that
ended the sixties left a
trail of destruction and a legacy of controversy that is still
disputed today. Fast-paced, explosive and intense, Altamont is
a gripping interpretation of the day the music died.
“Compelling, highly engaging…John Stenhouse draws the
audience in the minute he walks on stage”
★★★★★ Edinburgh Evening News
7.20pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
50 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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22
BEACON
2.00pm (27th) 12noon (29th) £7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
40 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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Arundel Fringe: 24th August – 2nd September
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
“Congratulations on a spectacular festival. You
should be very proud” AUDIENCE MEMBER
DR ZEEMAN’S
CATASTROPHE
MACHINE
martin Figura, turns to Dr
Zeeman’s iconic machine,
the moon and
photographs to help him
sort out love, mortality and
loss, in a new one-person
show. he looks back with
skill and wit at the end of a
marriage, parenthood and
finding new love.
his previous show
‘whistle’ toured
extensively, won the Sabotage Best Spoken word Show and
was nominated for the Ted hughes Award.
Directed by Ross Sutherland, and with projections, machinery
and sound by Andre Barreau, Karen hall, Tom Clutterbuck and
Paul Finlay. It is produced by Tilt and funded by Arts Council
England, norwich Arts Centre and writers’ Centre norwich.
12noon
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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theatre
FORBIDDEN
BROADWAY’S
GREATEST HITS
Forbidden Broadway is a hit
cabaret revue which sharply
spoofs show tunes,
characters and plots of
contemporary and current
Broadway & west End
musicals. Popular shows
such as Les miserables,
Chicago, wicked, mamma
mia, west Side Story,
hairspray and Fiddler on the
Roof are mocked, as
Broadway’s greatest musical legends meet Broadway’s
greatest satirist. A hilarious, loving and endlessly entertaining
tribute to some of the theatre’s greatest stars and songwriters,
this famous hit show is finally available in the UK.
“Wonderful! There’s no Broadway like Forbidden Broadway”
Entertainment Weekly
“Gut-bustingly funny! It’s a Forbidden pleasure” NY Post
9.15pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
75 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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FREE
BEING
ME
how can we be
free to be
ourselves if we
don’t know
what that looks
and feels like?
100 years of
the senior
section and how far have we come regarding the pressures on
how we should look and be?
we’d like to be spectacular but there are still some issues that
need to be looked at. FREE BEInG mE is a devised piece,
inspired by the worldwide, on-going FREE BEInG mE
programme led by wAGGGS and sponsored by Dove.
Led by the cast of girls, they will share their experiences about
body confidence and self esteem. Exploring their aspirations
and challenges and how they feel they can make that leap to
become SPECTACULAR.
6.00pm
£7 (£6 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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Chicago Fringe: 31st August – 11th September
INTERCOURSE
nervous accountant Gavin hires escort ‘Lana’ for an hour of
paid sex in his hotel room. But when it comes down to the
action, he is more interested in intercourse of the verbal variety
than sexual. Both are hiding secrets. Gavin is engaged to be
married and guilty about wanting to try paid sex (which is on
his to-do list, along with bee-keeping). Lana has unfulfilled
dreams to buy a flat and start a business but isn’t quite as
experienced in the seedy world of escorting as she pretends
to be.
6.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
18yrs+
T
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23
theatre
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
LATE NIGHT
BED SHOW/
STAINS
A DOUBLE BILL SHOW
A few years ago, the
rampant activity in mark
and Jen’s bedroom would
have made Fifty Shades of
Grey look like a picnic with
your grandparents. But now, the honeymoon’s over. wELL over.
we join them in their melancholic bed as they unashamedly
share their most intimate thoughts with us.
Inspired by the lyrics of PULP, Late Night Bed Show explores
the delicate complexities of a failing relationship through
unflinching frankness and gut-wrenching sincerity.
Diana’s got herself into a soggy situation. And unfortunately for
you, she wants to talk about it.
Defiant in its excruciating honesty, Stains is an audacious
monologue about feeling inadequate and creating your own
justice in a world where you feel powerless.
Dark comedy by Bedfordian Leanne Shorley.
2.00pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
18yrs+
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MARK
STEINHARDT:
A LAPFUL OF
WINDFALLS
mark Steinhardt and Deb
Bassnett follow up last
year’s sell-out heloise and
Abelard, pushing a little
further the mixture of
storytelling, letters and
lecture, this time adding
poetry to the blend. It’s all
gathered within an account
of the sad and glorious life of
the largely forgotten –
genius is not too strong a
word – helen waddell.
Scholar, translator, novelist,
star lecturer—between the wars she was famous and a best
seller. But to begin at the beginning, she was a girl and the
youngest child, and there was a wicked stepmother who hated
her mind and took her soul prisoner…
12noon & 6.00pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
All ages
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24
LAVENDER
JUNCTION
During the waning years of
the British Raj an ordinary
English woman opens a
suitcase full of her
innermost thoughts and
feelings. Based on real-life
interviews and glistening
with tenderness and
humour a rich tapestry of characters is revealed against the
fascinating backdrop of a mysterious land. This lyrical tale of
lifelong love explores the sights, sounds and symbols of colonial
India including the steam train journeys which chart her
unforgettable encounters and major decisions. From the
confines of convent boarding school to the wards of nursing
college she discovers her own voice, independent spirit and
destiny. Lavender Junction delicately weaves an uplifting,
timeless and deeply human true story.
“Insightful, inspirational, poetic monologue – an authentic slice
of social history about women, marriage and motherhood.”
★★★★ The Edinburgh Guide
“Engaging, comical, poignant, uplifting”
★★★★ British Theatre Guide
3.30pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
MEET THE REAL
MAGGIE THATCHER
The very last opportunity to catch
this ground-breaking modern
drama by Liverpool based touring
company Gerundagula
Productions. nominated for Best
Play in the 2014 UK Studio
Theatre Awards, meet the Real
maggie Thatcher is directed by
Brookside legend ‘illy’. Although
frank and powerful the
performance contains no strong
language… only the truth. original, gritty and often amusing
portrayals feature a diversity of issues including the miners’
Strike, Poll Tax, Clause 28 and the Falklands Crisis.
“We had witnessed something quite special”
British Theatre Guide
“Impressive and engaging” Manchester Theatre Awards
“Brilliant – really captured the Thatcher era. I relived it this
evening” ND Theatre Festival
“People, you’re in for a treat” Carole Solazzo, Writer And
Producer BBC Holby City & The Archers
10.15pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
T
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Amsterdam Fringe: 1st – 11th September
theatre
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
PIP UTTON:
POPES
ON CALL
‘There’s this moment, a
second, when I don’t
believe it. And this second
stretches out in front of me
forever and she’s not gone
because I don’t believe
she’s gone.’
An old man obsessed with
comic books, a young
doctor with a strange,
nervous twitch and a
frustrated, sleep-deprived
widow collide when maria
Ashford dies. As they all
begin to understand the
extent to which their lives
affect those they love, they struggle to cope with the realisation
that having children means more than just feeding, clothing
and sheltering another human being.
A series of short monologues touching on the universal
emotion of loss, bristling with the sense of human experience.
4.00pm (22nd, 28th, 29th) 12noon (26th)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
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60 mins
12yrs+
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THE
QUARRY
YOUTH
THEATRE:
BLACKOUT
Imagine you’re
watching a piece
that, with grace
and unflinching
clarity, takes you
right inside the
head of someone you never imagined you’d be able to
sympathise with.
Blackout is a hard-hitting play about getting bullied, fighting
back, trying to make a name for yourself, turning vicious, doing
something stupid, losing everything, then finding your way
again. It was written in 2008 for the national Theatre
Connections by Davey Anderson, a playwright whose work has
never shied away from the realities of life in working class
Glasgow.
6.00pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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Vancouver Fringe: 8th – 18th September
The English master
actor Pip Utton is
uniquely able to
generate specific
historical figures to
life on stage.
his latest show is
about a group of men
who have fascinated
us for centuries: popes. Feared, loved, hated … Pip Utton takes
you on a riveting night.
Popes have always been a source of interesting stories. Their
power and influence is still great …. or not? And we’re happy
with that?
An entertaining romp through the lives of Papal rulers over the
centuries. Pip does what he does best. he transforms into
fascinating personalities, grabs you by the throat and does not
let go during the performance.
After Adolf, Churchill, margaret Thatcher and Chaplin, now he
dives into the world of the Church.
3.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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THE QUARRY
YOUTH THEATRE:
SPOONFACE
STEINBERG
Spoonface Steinberg is the final
part of a quartet of dramas that
Lee hall, award-winning writer
of Billy Elliot, wrote about
growing up from the perspective
of children.
Spoonface is seven years old,
autistic, terminally ill with
cancer, confused by her
parent’s erratic behaviour and
trying to work out the meaning
of life! She tells us her story with humour and a wonderful childlike innocence whilst also delivering a series of profound
insights.
members of The Quarry Youth Theatre will perform this awardwining monologue using dance, physical theatre and the power
of Spoonface’s words to create an insight into the experience of
a little girl with a lot to say.
“Moving, funny, sad and yet optimistic” The Stage
4.00pm (27th) 2.00pm (28th) £7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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25
theatre
“Be proud, James, Fi and the lovely Bedringe team for
warmly welcoming a record number of ‘fringers’ to the
beautiful new theatre for a most remarkable programme of
events.” AUDIENCE MEMBER
WHILE
MORTALS
SLEEP
God. he’s a bit distant
floating up there in the sky.
he must be quite detached
from life down here. Does
he really know what it is to
live the human life? Does
he ever cry or feel pain?
why is there suffering?
one day, a man called Job
decided to ask him…
Dawn Grenade Theatre
brings the world’s oldest
story to the stage – The
Suffering of Job. hard
questions will be asked!
God will be put on trial!
“If you enjoy intelligent theatre, thought-provoking theatre,
theatre with depth, then this is for you. A tale for all the ages…”
Audience Member
4.00pm
£9 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
70 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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26
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
X OR Y
our project
is an
exploration
of the
struggles
transgender
people have
faced from
the 19th Century to the present day.
we are an all-female theatre company who want to educate
young adults on the struggles that are still happening today in
the transgender community. we are here to entertain, educate
and intensely engage the audience on this usually taboo
subject.
Usually taboo subject exploring the idea of evolution in
transgenders through history and how attitudes to it are
changing in society. A theme we want to include is the science
behind gender and how current studies show that the grey and
white matter in both gender’s brains can clash with the person’s
identification of their sex, that can be found before puberty.
10.15pm (27th) 12noon (29th)
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
45 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Vegas Fringe: 10th – 19th June
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
dance & physical theatre
I NEVER
JUMPED
IN & SORE
THUMB
how do you
express yourself?
Is it in what you
say? how about
the wAY you say
it? who you’re
saying it to?
Is it in the clothes
you wear, the way you walk, the possessions you own?
how do you express yourself? Is it in the accidental omissions
your body makes when telling a lie? what about the physicality
you assume when you’re nervous or scared?
This work explores the notion of both conscious and
subconscious expressions of the self; what forms the conscious
decisions we make and can we, or should we, control the
subconscious blunders of our bodies that give away our true
intentions.
2.00pm (25th main Auditorium) 12noon (26th The Studio) £5
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE & mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12yrs+
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I SPENT THIS YEAR
AS A GHOST
An Angry Greek.
Unbearable Truths.
numerous Polaroids.
Alien Abduction.
horseradish.
Chesney Buzznut is 21 years old
today.
Like many millenials, Chesney is
completely, totally, hopelessly lost in
life. Stuck in between a generation who made sure no one after
them got anything, and a generation born in the right place at
the right time, Chesney struggles to find footing in a debtburdened existence.
with the aid of his closest friend and alcoholic actress marie
wan-K, the pair philosophise, try their hand at karaoke, seduce
a cake, and do the cha cha slide – all whilst trying to get over
their own personal horrors…
Called to action by a boulevard of broken dreams, wInGLESS
Dance Theatre presents their latest work: ‘I Spent This Year as
A Ghost’.
4.00pm
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
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£5
40 mins
12yrs+
F
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29 30
MY CUP OF TEA &
THE WASHOUT
KINETIC VIBES: 2016 SHOWCASE
Leading local dance company (established for over 12 years)
and choreographed by Kiersten Theakstone, will be performing
their new show. Expect a mix of ballet, tap, modern, street and
aerobic.
11.00am
£7 (£6 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
All ages
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Henley Fringe: 18th – 23rd July
(SAM RAWLINS PRESENTS A
DOUBLE BILL OF WORKS…)
My Cup of Tea
Tea. Britain as a nation is
obsessed with drinking it. But why
is it so popular? 165 million cups
of tea are drank every day in
Britain, that is around 60.2 billion
in a full year! This work explores the life of a tea addict. he has
a serious consumption problem, symbolising the nation’s love
for a nice warm brew. But what would happen if he ever runs
out of his beloved tea? The results may be alarming.
The Washout
have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the
world of celebrity? with a blend of theatre and dance, this ‘one
man show’ aims to explore the culture of the modern day
celebrity, a time where people are famous just for being famous.
Through satire and flamboyancy, this ‘blink or you’ll miss it’
phenomenon will be presented through a combination of stage
and screen performance, with just a hint of nudity and a few
splashes of dairy thrown in for good measure…
6.00pm
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
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£5.50
50 mins
16yrs+
F
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29 30
27
dance & physical theatre
SCARY SH*T:
EDINBURGH
PREVIEW
SCARY Sh*T is a show
about friendship, being a
woman and asking for help.
Smashing the UK dance
scene, quirky and
outrageous dance theatre;
Rhiannon Faith brings a
real-life experience to the
stage.
A rollercoaster experiment,
Scary Sh*t is a show where
two young women attend therapy to learn about themselves,
the world and imagine a future without fear.
“A brilliantly physical set of mental ordeals” Exeunt
“May the risk-taking continue in button-cute foul-mouthed
Rhiannon Faith’s Scary Shit. Maddy Morgan is like a young
female Oliver Hardy with f**kloads of attitude” The Times
“Rhi is a brilliant choreographer and a cheeky little minx with a
madcap mind.” Bryony Kimmings
6.00pm
£9.50 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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28
box office: 01234 362337
www.bedfringe.com
SO
BASICALLY,
NOBODY
ELSE CAN
TAKE BATH
FOR YOU
So looking at the
philosophy of
existentialism (a
theory of the
existence of the
individual) is it
really possible to
demonstrate an
inside emotion on the outside? This exploration demonstrates
each to their own and how life can be affected by the adding
and removing of a body, You may query what is going on here.
Also watch your toes. They may get wet.
4.00pm
mAIn AUDIToRIUm & ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
£5
30 mins
8yrs+
F
S
29 30
Melbourne Fringe: 15th September – 2nd October
box office: 01234 362335/362269
www.bedfringe.com
“Bedfringe has been the most fun and the staff have
made us feel very welcome. We are sad to end our
run with you”★★★★★ THE DRUM TRIBE (2015)
music
MY GIRL
THE RIVER
‘THIS AIN’T
NO
FAIRYTALE’
Join my Girl The
River as they take
you on a journey of
story and song,
white lies, half truths,
tall tales and fables
that paint a picture of
the American south.
Full of nostalgia,
adventure, humour and emotion. Find out why ‘this ain’t no
fairytale’, ‘stunning’ gorgeous’ ‘great songs and voice’ was
chosen to perform at the Isle of wight.
6.00pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
ThE STUDIo ThEATRE
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
All ages
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ROCK ME
GENTLY:
FEATURING
MOJO & TONY
PHILLIPS
A nostalgic music journey
through the rocking 1950s,
60s and 70s, with legendary
performer Tony Phillips and
the local classic Bedford
band mojo, featuring the
superb Dave King on guitar.
Expect a lot of rock’n’roll,
and a bit of country from the
likes of Chuck Berry, Elvis
and The Beatles. This is a
must see event for any rock’n’roll music fan!
As a musician Tony has appeared with many acts including
Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill hayley, The Searchers and
Sir Cliff Richard to name but a few. From the world of stage
and theatre, he has appeared with notable names including Sir
Dirk Bogarde, Sir Anthony hopkins and Lee Remick.
5.30pm
£7.50 (£6.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
All ages
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Windsor Fringe: 23rd September – 8th October
WORBEY &
FARRELL –
RHAPSODY
Back by popular demand!
worbey and Farrell are
internationally-acclaimed
concert pianists with a wicked
sense of humour. They have
entertained all over the globe to
rave reviews with their
inimitable re-invention of the
traditional piano duet. They’ve
achieved millions of hits on
YouTube, stormed the Edinburgh Festival with five star
reviews across the board and were voted amongst the top ten
shows to see in Time out. Expect spectacular arrangements
from Rhapsody in Blue to Bohemian Rhapsody and prepare
to be moved, delighted and utterly gobsmacked.
“Extremely virtuosic and beyond dazzling!” BBC Radio
“Awesome artistry and sheer showmanship”
Martin Gray – Scotsman
“Jaw-dropping talent” The Scotsman
7.15pm
£10 (£8.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
60 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
All ages
T
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
29
film
“The whole of Bedford is proud of team Bedfringe.
Top work. The passion from all involved in Bedfringe
is infectious.” BEDFORD FILM FESTIVAL
THE LADY IN
THE VAN – IN
ASSOCIATION
WITH BEDFORD
FILM FESTIVAL
working closely with
Bedfringe since 2013, and
now screening films at
Bedford’s newest theatre, we couldn’t resist the chance to bring
the film adaptation of Alan Bennett’s play ‘The Lady in The Van’
to Bedford.
The film follows the true(ish) story of a vagrant (Dame maggie
Smith) who lives in a van outside the home of Alan Bennett
(Alex Jennings). After sparking up a relationship with the
woman, Alan allows her to move her van into his driveway,
where she lived for 15 years.
Smith and Jennings play brilliantly opposite each other and are
supported by a wonderful cast, made up of some of Britain’s
best actors (Jim Broadbent, Frances de la Tour, Dominic
Cooper, Deborah Findlay). The story is full of the charm,
humour, and warmth that has made Alan Bennett one of
Britain’s most popular writers.
8.45pm
£7.50 (£6 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
104 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
12A
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
30
box office: 01234 362335/362269
www.bedfringe.com
SONG OF THE SEA
– IN ASSOCIATION
WITH BEDFORD
FILM FESTIVAL
There are films that stand out
above all others as works of art.
Then there are films where every
frame is a work of art that takes
your breath away. Song of the Sea
is one of those films.
This enchanting Irish animation
tells the story of Ben and his little
sister Saoirse, the last seal-child,
who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of
ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home
by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological
Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become
humans on land.
Featuring the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan,
David Rawle, Lisa hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny, the
Song of the Sea is a film that will enchant children and warm
adult hearts
10.30am
£7 (£5.50 ConCESSIonS)
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
93 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
PG
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Greater Manchester Fringe: 1st – 31st July
special events
Bedfringe 10… Live!
The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s – Join us for the special 10th
anniversary edition of our opening event!
An evening of comedy, magic and live music hosted by multi
award-winning, Perrier-nominated comedian, author, explorer
and occasional film star... Tim FitzHigham!
Matt Roberts (musician)
matt has been writing, recording and playing since october 1990
when he was 13. Since then, he has recorded hundreds and
hundreds of songs. In 1997 he even had the mad idea of
recording an album a month which he released on cassette and
gave to friends and family.
Lewis Joss (magician)
Lewis Joss is a full-time professional magician/entertainer who
performs at many different events across the UK and abroad. As
a member of The magic Circle and Equity, Lewis has been seen
by thousands and is highly rated by many.
Little Howard (animation/comedy!)
It’s a pleasure to have Little howard in Bedfringe this year! You
may have seen him at The Royal Variety Performance or on
8.00pm
mAIn AUDIToRIUm
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
T
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£12
150 mins
16yrs+
F
S
29 30
BEDFRINGE CLOSING PARTY
It’s happy hour
at the bar!
Come and
celebrate the
end of our
tenth festival
with a free
buffet and
discounted
drinks.
Do we need to
say more than
that?
note: There
might be
flashing lights,
moderately
loud music
and a space
hopper race in
the garden.
10.00pm
£FREE (non TICKETED EVEnT)
ThE QUARRY ThEATRE BAR
90 mins
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
16yrs+
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ottawa Fringe: 15th – 26th June
CBBC! Be warned… this is Little howard in his original guise
performing rather adult material!
Indi & The Vegas (musicians)
we booked these guys to support The Showhawk Duo in The
Quarry Theatre back in January. we were completely blown
away by their talent (and so were the Showhawk fans!) so we
immediately invited them to play in Bedfringe 10… Live! Enjoy.
STEVE BEST:
COMEDY
SNAPSHOTS
Comedian and photographer
Steve Best’s many years on the
comedy circuit have allowed him
to build trust with some of the
funniest people on earth. This
exclusive access has allowed
him to take hundreds of intimate,
deeply moving images that no
one else could get. Steve’s first
book, Comedy Snapshot is a
first of its kind, with over 400
comedians, each giving a joke
and some quirky facts about
themselves. It is a unique record of the comedy circuit.
Steve’s photography will be on display in the theatre’s gallery
spaces throughout the festival.
“Inspired collection of visual japes” Time Out
“It’s a book designed to be dipped in and out of at random – to
plunge full-in would be like guzzling all your chocolate box at
once; but each morsel is deliciously rich.” Chortle
10.00pm
£FREE (non TICKETED EVEnT)
ThE QUARRY ThEATRE GALLERY
ALL DAY
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFoRD
All ages
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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
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