There's still a little while to go before entry closes for this year's Buxton Festival Fringe programme, but already the numbers of events has gone up by over 25% on this time last year. Following the second entry deadline of March 31, the Fringe had received a record 107 entries, and there's still time for more to come in before the final entry date of April 24.
The list of entries, also shows the huge variety the Fringe has to offer, with big-name comedy including Radio 4's Ed Reardon and Helen Keen, stand-up from Isy Suttie (Dobby from Peep Show), Barnsley poet Ian McMillan (R4), a promising For Families section with work from Young Rec, Little Pixie and Babbling Vagabonds, a big music section with African soprano Margaret Ferguson, Manchester jazzman Mart Rodger, the Burbage Band, two unconventional Shakespeares: Macbeth in Poole's Cavern and The Tempest in the Cricket Ground, a strong Visual Arts section, the ever popular Buxton Military Tattoo, close-up magic, and the coming together of two award-winning Fringe favourites as George Telfer teams up with Three's Company for a play about Monty Python's Graham Chapman.
The strict final date for entries for the Fringe printed programme is April 24 with entries charged at the full cost of £80. Details of how to choose your venue, enter and pay online are published on the Fringe website. Says Fringe chair Stephanie Billen: 'There's still time but don't leave it till the last minute and don't forget to upload a picture with your show when you enter online. We've got a great line-up already but are keen to see what else is in store for this year's Fringe-goers. Some more dance would be nice for example.' For further information go to http://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/entrants.html.
This year's Fringe programme will be launched on June 10 at Buxton Opera House's Fringe First event at the Pavilion Arts Centre, showcasing award nominees and winners from last year's Fringe and including a visual arts component. The line-up for the show has been announced: music from Fordante Ensemble, youth drama from Shadow Syndicate, comedian Gerry Howell, ad hoc favourites from the Bard in The Shakespeare Jukebox, close-up magic from Piff the Magic Dragon and the hilarious How To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse. Tickets for Fringe First can be obtained from the Opera House Box Office on 0845 127 2190 or online at http://www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.
Ends
For further information and interviews, Send message to Press.