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5 J u l y p r o d u c e d b y F u t u r e L e g e n d
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from the Directors
2009 Bedfringe
It’s back! And it's bigger than ever!
Welcome Bedfringe friends! This year we have events running in multiple Venues, allowing the festival to run for longer. 2009 venues include The Bedford Gallery, The Ent Shed, The Place Theatre, The Howard Room, The Harpur Suite and The Bedford Corn Exchange.
We hope that you see real value and a long future in this fantastic festival now in its third year. So come and see what all the fuss is about… Or simply prop up the bar!
May we to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their generous support, without which, Bedfringe would simply not exist.
www.bedfringe.com
Future Legend is a Bedford based production company (Est.1996) highly committed to the production of video, film and theatre. Future Legend is made up of a unique team who have been working together for over 20 years, specialising in a wide range of skills, such as direction, production and performance. We are able to produce high quality, creative, entertaining and motivational corporate and training video solutions to aid you in enhancing your marketing and business communications. www.futurelegend.co.uk
James Pharaoh Richard Mann
1 Lurke Street 0800 013 0339 comearoundtobedford.co.uk
Design and print, complete solutions, short and long run. 01234 843900 www.lgdigital.co.uk
Business sponsors
Electrical & Mechanical Engineering LTD
23 Sergeants Way 01234 328209 admin@sdgservices.co.uk
The Brewery, Havelock Street 01234 272766
wellsandyoungs.co.uk
dhl.com
St Mary’s Street 01234 799988
bedford.parkinn.co.uk
Stage, lighting, sound hire. 0870 873 1130 impactproductions.co.uk
Media sponsor
22 Mill Street 01234 369582 bedsonsunday.com
294690
www.khsound.co.uk
Quality Embroidered Logos. Brunel Road, Barker’s Lane 01234 217972 www.hyspec.co.uk
19-23 The Broadway 01234 352107 tavistocksoundandvision.co.uk Many thanks to Brian
Opening Reception
11 July
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £9.90 (inc booking fee)
Venue: Bedford Gallery
The 2009 VIP Opening reception with complimentary drinks supplied by The Blue Glass Company, Bedford. Comedy, live music and an opportunity to meet the directors.
White Tie & Tails
Luke Toulson
Alexandar
Perkins
Steve Gifford
Andrew O’Neill
James Sherwood
15 July
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £8 (No concessions)
Venue: The Ent Shed
BEDFRINGE AND GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR PRESENT, ANDREW
O’NEILL & JAMES SHERWOOD
Andrew O’Neill isn’t your usual stand-up comedian. He has an innate sense of absurdism and silliness, and proudly displays one of the most inventive comic minds around today.
“So funny I put him in my new TV show” STEVE COOGAN
James Sherwood is one of the country’s foremost comedy writers and stand-up comedians. James contributes the funnies to radio shows across the BBC.
“ ... brilliantly conceived and very funny …
Sherwood has phenomenal stage presence ” THE SCOTSMAN
18+
16 July
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)
BEDFRINGE AND UP-STAGE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT, FLOATERS
A dark look at the lives of eight people affected by rape. A tragicomic piece of theatre that will enlighten and entertain.
“If this is the standard of playwright and cast I look forward to seeing more of them in the future” THE LUTON NEWS www.up-stage.co.uk
Strictly
Venue: The Place Theatre
*Adult themes and language
BEDFRINGE PRESENTS, ALIAS THEATRE & ATHENA ARTS
Award-winning Alias Theatre and The Goldington-based Athena Arts Project are teaming up for a double-bill of innovative and powerful physical theatre and script.
17 July
Time: 5.30pm
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Led by Artistic Director, Trudy A Bell, Alias and Athena provide opportunities for young performers between the ages of 8 and 18 to develop advanced theatre skills and devise new writing for performance. www.aliastheatre.co.uk
17 July
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)
BEDFRINGE AND DREAMSHED THEATRE PRESENT, I’LL BE BERT
Following its sell-out premiere at the Everyman Studio Theatre in Cheltenham, ‘I’ll Be Bert’ comes to Bedfringe before going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Written and performed by Bill Cronshaw, a life-long Manchester City fan, the play takes an affectionate look at growing up in post-war Manchester and the impact that Bert Trautmann, (City’s legendary German goalkeeper), had on an impressionable schoolboy.
“A resounding success among young, old and non-football fans alike” THE INDEPENDANT www.dreamshedtheatre.co.uk
Venue: The Place Theatre
Venue: The Place Theatre 5
18 July
Time: 2pm
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
BEDFRINGE AND THEATRE OF WIDDERSHINS PRESENT, RAPUNZEL & THE TOWER OF DOOM
Tangles? Split Ends? Frizzy? It’s hard enough having a bad hair day but pity poor Rapunzel spending her life in a tower with a wicked old witch using her captive’s locks as a step ladder! What sort of damage is that going to do to your hair?
Theatre of Widdershins have taken this Grimm tale right back to its dark roots!
“Another fabulous show – well done! So much to enjoy for all ages and such inventive sets and puppets. You remain the gold standard!” THE BROADWAY
www.widdershins.co.uk
18 July
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)
BEDFRINGE AND CHOTTO OOKII PRESENT, SWEET
In the era of romantic comedies with happy endings and perfect heroes, Total Theatre Award winners Chotto Ookii present a bitter take on the saccharine nature of love.
Physical theatre, stunning visuals, puppetry and dance are combined in Chotto Ookii’s inimitable style to produce a hyper energetic tour de force.
“striking imagery and fine performances…something really special” THE SCOTSMAN
www.chottoookii.co.uk
Venue: The Place Theatre
Venue: The Place Theatre 6
22 July
Time: 8pm
Venue: The Ent Shed
BEDFRINGE AND CHAMBERS MANAGEMENT PRESENT, JACK WHITEHALL
Jack Whitehall first caused a stir on the stand up circuit in 2007 and secured a finalist position on Channel 5’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ He has gone on to host Celebrity Big Brother’s Big Mouth and other various high profile programmes.
Now, at the ripe old age of 20, Jack is heading back to Fringe theatre for his debut solo stand up show. Expect high energy, gag-packed comedy from one of the hottest things in stand up.
“Terrifyingly confident newcomer Jack Whitehall is a shoo-in for stardom” EVENING STANDARD
22 July
Tickets: £8 (No concessions)
BEDFRINGE AND CHAMBERS MANAGEMENT PRESENT, ANDREW LAWRENCE
Andrew Lawrence “Soul-Crushing Vicissitudes of Fortune”
The double if.comedy Award nominee returns with a show about luck and how it can shape our lives.
“Lawrence packs more laughs into one of his ninety second rants than most comics manage in half an hour.” THE SCOTSMAN
“One of the greatest as-yet undiscovered talents on the circuit”
DAILY MIRROR
“Evil elegance” TIME OUT
18+
Strictly for ages 18years+
23 July
Time: 6pm
Tickets: £7 (£6 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND GEOFF NORCOTT PRESENT, THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT MEN AND WOMAN
Geoff Norcott has become a bit sexist and isn’t happy about it.
A former card-carrying feminist, Geoff lost sight of his principles after five years of marriage and a dubious TV gig. Now he wants to rediscover the new man he buried.
“Funny, charming and optimistic…” THE LIST
“Guaranteed to bring the house down at any comedy gig” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
23 July
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £7 (£6 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND SIMON MUNNERY PRESENT, SIMON MUNNERY’S AGM 09
Simon Munnery returns to Bedfringe for the second year of his sentence, hoping for time off from good behavior, to kiss flying moment and do aubergine sketch on request, with new songs, considered hair and an ironed shirt.
Can’t say fairer:Just comes out fairer. Recently he has become overly worried about the state of his outhouse: he has got a messy annexe complex. www.lat.notbbc.co.uk
23 July
Time: 9pm
Tickets: £6 (No concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE PRESENTS, MAXWELL, HAMMER & SMITH
We welcome back MH&S who are voted the UK’s no 1 harmony band playing songs as a trio that many bands wouldn’t dare to attempt. From E.L.O to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, the band have a fantastic following guaranteed to fill any event that they play.
24 July
Time: 11.45am
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Venue: Harpur Suite
BEDFRINGE AND WOODEN HILL PRESENT,
HANGING UP YOUR HOODIE
A mixture of music and drama exploring the way that young people have been portrayed in the media throughout the past 50 years.... have things really changed or is it just the music that’s different?
Bedford based Wooden Hill work with all sorts of people in all sorts of ways. They deliver training, run consultations and produce theatre. www.woodenhilluk.co.uk
24 July
Time: 1pm
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Venue: Harpur Suite
BEDFRINGE AND ST THOMAS MOORE SCHOOL PRESENT, FAIREST OF THEM ALL...
All may be fair in love and war, but the princes and princesses of Fable Ville are only concerned with one thing – who is the Fairiest of them all? Come and see what happens when your favourite fairytale characters battle it out for the title. This could get ugly…
BTEC Performing Arts students from St Thomas More RC Upper School present a children’s story with a difference.
24 July BEDFRINGE AND TIME TO BOOK PRESENT, DON’T SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE SONGS FROM THE 1940’S PERFORMED BY FIONA HARRISON
Time: 2.30pm
Tickets: £6.50 (£5.50 concessions)
After the amazing Bedfringe success of “We’ll Meet Again” in 2007 and “Down Paradise Row” in 2008, Fiona Harrison makes a welcome return with her new 1940’s hour long musical show.
So settle down to an afternoon of nostalgia and listen out for Fiona’s close harmony work which has earned her the title of “Britain’s Finest Professional 1940’s Entertainer”. www.timetobook.org www.fionaharrison.com
THE SWAN THEATRE CO PRESENT “COMIC & CURIOUS” An evening of poetry. www.theplacebedford.org.uk
There once were some poets from Bedford who thought they would go out and get heard the crowd were amazed by their lyrical ways, kind of Shakespeare, but less of the dead words.
BEDFORD BASEMENT POETS PRESENT “DANCING ON VOICE”
An afternoon of poetry. www.bedfringe.com
19 July
Time: 7.45pm
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Venue: The Place Theatre
24 July
Time: 4.30pm
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Venue: Harpur Suite
Venue: Harpur Suite 11
24 July
Time: 6pm
Tickets: £6 (£5 concessions)
Venue: Harpur Suite
BEDFRINGE AND GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR PRESENT, MARCEL LUCONT: SEXUAL METRO
France’s premier award-winning misanthropist, philosopher and lover brings his “wonderful French wit” (TimeOut) and “brilliantly brusque routines” (Chortle) to you, the “ignorant masses ” (Marcel Lucont).
“Wonderful French wit... a suave MC.” TIME OUT
“A stand-up star in the making” THELONDONPAPER.
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £7 (£6 concessions)
Venue: Harpur Suite
BEDFRINGE PRESENT, THE SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE COMPANY
The stars of BBC3’s ‘Comedy Shuffle’ and MTV’s ‘Best Ever Show’, return to Bedford with a taste of their brand new show, and some favourite bits. Songs, sketches, socks and violence.
“For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz – denier miss it.”
**** THE SCOTSMAN AUG 2008
“Hilarious... the Abbott & Costello of the sock world” TIME OUT
24 July
Time: 9pm
Tickets: £7 (£6 concessions)
Venue: Harpur Suite
BEDFRINGE AND VIVIENNE SMITH MANAGEMENT PRESENT, PATRICK
MONAHAN
A regular TV & studio warm up on shows such as ‘Friday Night Jonathan Ross’, ‘The IT Crowd’, ‘The Lenny Henry Show’ as well as a regular MC at selected venues on the comedy circuit.
Patrick is an original writer and clever improviser skilled in audience interaction!
“High energy & conviction, his material is great; he's going to go far” THE SUNDAY TIMES.
“Thoughtful Comedy” THE GUARDIAN
Time: 12noon
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND IRB PRESENT, IAN BILLINGS: OUT OF HIS MIND!
Enter the wonky bonkers world of kid’s comic and author, Ian Billings, for a tickle-filled hour of chuckle puns and giggle gags. Be prepared for belly laughs – remember to bring your belly.
“Ian Billings was brilliant!” EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS ***** www.ianbillings.co.uk
Suitable for
25 July
Time: 2.30pm
Tickets: £6.50 (£5.50 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND FUTURE LEGEND PRESENT, THE
STARRING TONY PHILLIPS & RICHARD MANN
Sinatra tribute artist Tony Pirelli is preparing himself for a concert when suddenly he feels somebody else’s presence in his dressing room. Standing there is a trench coated figure whose look resembles the late US band leader Glen Miller. The trouble is ... it’s the 21st Century and Miller disappeared in 1944, so what is going on?
Tony (the writer), has appeared with many acts including Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Anthony Hopkins, plus many more!! www.futurelegend.co.uk
25 July
Time: 4pm
Tickets: £5 (£4 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND DR. MERRIWEATHER PRESENT, MERRIWEATHER COMES TO TOWN
William Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist that ever lived, remains yet an enigma – until now: For the first time, one of his own theatre company steps forward and speaks out…
Hilariously funny, hair-raising, bloody and poignantly sad, ‘Merriweather’ is a great afternoon out for lovers of The Bard and newcomers to Shakespeare alike. www.drmerriweather.org.uk
25 July
Time: 5.30pm
Tickets: £7 (£6 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND THEATRE TOURS
INTERNATIONAL PRESENT, AUSTEN’S WOMEN
Directed by Guy Masterson, this a period piece with a difference!
Compiled and adapted from the most rewarding and exciting moments in the works of Jane Austen, Austen’s Women breathes new life into the many beautifully observed women and heroines throughout her canon. From scenes of high comedy to moments of pathos and loneliness, Austen’s creations are painted with unnerving accuracy.
EDINBURGH PREVIEW SHOW! www.theatretoursinternational.com
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £7 (£6 concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
BEDFRINGE AND JAMES SEABRIGHT LTD PRESENT, BRITAIN’S BEST MATES
Obsessed with sports, lads’ mags, girls and each other, Comedy Central’s delusional couple, Phil & Phill, share the secrets of their bizarre, award-winning friendship and hopefully bag themselves a TV deal in the process.
“Hysterical comic geniuses” (GQ)
“The next Ant & Dec” (Phil & Phill)
25 July
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 (£12 concessions)
Venue: Corn Exchange
BEDFRINGE AND JAMES SEABRIGHT LTD PRESENT, JAN RAVENS: A
FUNNY LOOK AT IMPRESSIONS
Best known for impersonating countless celebrities and public figures in Dead Ringers on both Radio 4 and BBC2, Jan Ravens makes her solo stage debut in this delightfully funny and revelatory show, which premiered at London’s National Theatre.
From Anne Robinson and Nigella Lawson to Ann Widdecombe and the Queen, no woman in the public eye can hide from Ravens’ unique brand of satirical comedy.
“A consummate impersonator.” THE TIMES
www.janravens.com
Running time: 2x40mins + interval
FUTURE LEGEND PRESENT THE BEDFRINGE CLOSING PARTY FEATURING
YER BLUES BONES
Yerbluesbones.co.uk
Come and prop up the bar as Yer Blues Bones play upbeat Rock ‘ n ’ Roll and Rhythm & Blues with music from Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins and Bo
Didley to lesser known Stones, Beatles and Fleetwood Mac tracks.
Add to that some of YBB’s takes on modern classics and you have a set that will have you clapping, singing and moving your feet!
“If you want a fun way to end the evening – this one ’ s a blast!” THE DAILY MAIL
25 July
Time: 9pm
Tickets: £6 (No concessions)
Venue: Howard Room
WATCH MY SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
Film entries to this year’s ‘Watch My Shorts Film Festival’ will be displayed on our venue screen throughout the evening. Full listing at www.bedfringe.com
