cabaret
Kerry Hodgkin & Ladyblue Music present
KISS OF THE RED MENACE: A TRIBUTE TO KANDER & EBB
Diva-chanteuse, Melody La Rouge sings them all in this exhilarating tribute to Broadway's best! Kander & Ebb have been responsible for some of the greatest creations of the American musical stage Melody La Rouge presents a tribute to the songs of these multiple Tony Award winners.
Ms La Rouge is a performer in the grand tradition of power singers such as Liza Minnelli & Chita Rivera –with an astonishing vocal range and commitment to rival the greats. This one-woman show features anecdotes and classic hits of stage & screen from ‘Chicago’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘Kiss of the Spider woman’, ‘new York new York’ and many more…
“Oozing the showbiz glitz of the songs and the sexiness of cabaret a well-sung set of much-loved standards by a charismatic performer.” FEST www melodylarouge com
9 00pm (18th) & 6 30pm (26th) £6
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Philadelphia’s SHARP Dance Company presents UNE
SOIRÉE AU CABARET
Bedfringe welcomes SHARP Dance Company, Philadelphia, USA to the 2012 programme.
SHARP invites you to take a step back in time to 1900's France. our own Master of Ceremonies will be guiding you through an evening of collaboration in dance and music This performance will be an enticing event of live entertainment that encompasses pastiche, parody and wit
SHARP is a 501c-3 professional modern dance company, and its theory of “Meaning behind Movement” is showed prominently throughout their work SHARP feels that dance should be more than a performance; it should be an experience.
“SHARP’s performance has emerged as a center piece of the Philly Fringe” EDGE PHILADELPHIA
“…expect a roller-coaster ride of emotions and life experiences” CITY PAPER PITTSBURGH
www sharpdance org
Bedfringe presents KINETIC VIBES
This leading local dance company (established for over 12 years) will be performing their new show choreographed by Kiersten Theakston. Expect a mix of ballet, tap, modern, street and aerobic www kineticvibes com
Lucy Hopkins presents LE FOULARD
12 00pm £5 (£4 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD All ages
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Riverside Theatre Company presents
FRACTURE
Cambridgeshirebased dance company choreographed by Sara Johnson present their new show ‘Fracture’, which uses a mixture of street, hip hop, ballet, modern and contemporary They have previously performed at The Royal Albert Hall, Sadlers wells, Alton Towers and won the 2010 Euro Disney dance competition
Riverside Theatre Company also run musical theatre sessions, the Riverside Singers, Vox Rocks (male only choir) and the Acting workshop (who have previously performed twice at Bedfringe) www.riversidetheatrecompany.co.uk
4.00pm £5 (£4 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD All ages
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
written and performed by Lucy Hopkins
Directed by Balthazar Gaulier
A tale, of sorts Starring a woman and a scarf. Lucy Hopkins won an Inspiration Award for her first solo show in 2011. She trained at the excellent and prestigious Ecole Jacques Lecoq and Ecole Philippe Gaulier and she lives in Paris, France. note: show is in English www.lucyhopkins.eu
4 30pm (14th) & 6 00pm (15th)
£7
THE PLACE THEATRE 50mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD All ages
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
whitebone Productions presents BANE: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY
A unique opportunity to catch the entire Bane Trilogy (or just catch up on the ones you have missed)!
This multi-award winning Bedfringe 2011 sell out show is heavily inspired by film and graphic novels The performance uses mime, gesture and sound effects to conjure the setting, with multiple character switching to create a filmic tapestry on stage that is funny, engaging and at times moving.
“Epic…this is a fast-talking, quickmoving, smart-thinking little gem of a show entertaining, fun and very skilful”
THE SCOTSMAN
“Bane’s script is well-written, wellstructured and sharply accurate. It’s a remarkable achievement” THE STAGE
“Joe Bone’s performance is phenomenal... extremely funny” TIME OUT
winner: FRINGE REVIEW OUTSTANDING THEATRE AWARD 2009
winner: THREE WEEKS EDITOR’S AWARD 2010
winner: FRINGE GURU EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD 2010
winner: ARGUS ANGEL 2011
winner: MERVYN STUTTERS SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD 2011
winner: JERSEY PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD 2011
www brucebane com
Love Bedford Comedy & Future Legend present BEDFRINGE 6IX... LIVE!
An evening of top-notch comedy and music hosted by multi award-winning, Perrier-nominated comedian, author, explorer and occasional film star (Clint Eastwood’s “Hereafter”)… TIM FITZHIGHAM!
St Neots boy GEOFF NORCOTT
“a comedian with a big future” DAILY MIRROR “master of anecdotal story telling” FEST
This year we have a special treat lined up with JAMES SHERWOOD at the piano: “quite brilliant” THE SCOTSMAN
ROB DEERING
“one of the leading stand-ups of his generation” TIME OUT
Also, introducing HAYLEY o'KEEFFE Times & Citizen reporter who has set herself the challenge to become a stand up comedienne in just two months! Armed with just the mobile numbers of Bedford’s top comedy performers, she will work with them to develop a five minute routine. Catch her set at this event to find out if she's successful @misshok
Finally, IAn PRATT another Bedfordian (and the Bedfringe CEo’s form tutor from his long gone school days) makes his debut
Don’t miss out on this very special opening night of the 2012 Bedfringe Festival to be broadcast live over the internet via Bedfringe TV Limited tickets!
TIM FITZHIGHAM
ROB DEERING
GEOFF NORCOTT
JAMES SHERWOOD
Love Bedford Comedy and Alexis Dubus presents CARS & GIRLS
winner: THREE WEEKS
EDITORS CHOICE AWARD –Top 10 Edinburgh Fringe Experiences. Alexis Dubus returns to Bedfringe with... Selected travel tales (the funny ones) May include traces of UFos, truckers, cockneys, the nevada desert, bean festivals and the Dutch.
“Brilliantly fascinating” THREE WEEKS
“A huge amount of gags and information... the hour whips by” CHORTLE
“A mixture of fascinating trivia and richly amusing detail, which somehow invests a crude subject with a lot of gentle charm” THE GUARDIAN www alexisdubus com
9.00pm £5
THE HowARD RooM 60min ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFoRD 16yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
THE GAMBLER
Tim is a man with lots of bad ideas – for instance, he has rowed the English Channel in a bathtub. Recently, Tim spent a year lost to ‘gambling archaeology’ where he recreated the harebrained bets of his gentlemen adventurer forebears The result is this show about the ten greatest bets in history
“FitzHigham, I salute you!” RICHARD HAMMOND
“You can’t help but be swept up in the delights of his adventure” ★★★★★ CHORTLE
“ FitzHigham is a gripping entertainer”
★★★★★ BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE www.fitzhigham.com
8 00pm £9 (£7 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 13yrs+
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Kerpow Theatre present
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
Bedfringe sell out act 2011. Romantic love. Platonic love. A love for a hobby or a love for one’s pet The love of money or the love of a God. You name it, this comedy show explores it!
“A must-see show!” ★★★★★ THE TIMES
“Fantastic! Magical comedy!”
★★★★★ EDINBURGH HERALD
“Hilarious and heart warming! One of the most feelgood shows around!” ★★★★★ PARAMOUNT COMEDY CHANNEL
“Demand a ticket See him when you can!”
★★★★★ COMEDY MAGAZINE
7.00pm £9 (£7 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 90mins (15min interval) BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 10yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
JOHN HEGLEY: BEYOND OUR KENNEL
John Hegley has been a mainstay of comedy audience for over two decades and with good reason; the man and his poetry are hilarious He will turn his pen to many subjects from his beloved Luton Town FC to numerous surreal oddities such as invisible hamsters and quackerjacks, all done with his trademark straight face and beautifully lyrical monotone drawl
“Never has a more petulant man been so likable, a serious man more silly” ★★★★★ CHORTLE “Scandalously talented” THE SUNDAY TIMES www.johnhegley.co.uk
8.00pm £9 (£7 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD All ages
S 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
www.bedfringe.com
Love Bedford Comedy presents
TOBY HADOKE & STEVE SHANYASKI
A comedy double bill from two outstanding comedy writers and performers.
After critical, worldwide success of ‘Moths Ate My Doctor who Scarf’ Toby brings the follow up ‘My Stepson Stole My Sonic Screwdriver’ Toby: Doctor who fans and non Doctor who fans alike “likely to do for Daleks and Cybermen what Fever Pitch did for football” ★★★★★THE GUARDIAN
THE TIMES: PICK OF THE WEEK
STEVE SHAnYASKI As seen on ITV1’s Comedy Rocks, The Royal Variety Performance and Live from the Comedy Store, Steve’s star is surely in the ascendant A debut hour from one of the stand up’s hottest prospects “slick, confident uproariously funny” CHORTLE
www gagreflex co uk
7.30pm £8
THE HOWARD ROOM 120mins (15min interval) ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFORD 15yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
IDIOTS OF ANTS: MODEL CITIZENS
The Ants (2012 Chortle Award winners and 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees) returned to Edinburgh after four years of sell-out shows and rapturous reviews. In the last 12 months they’ve gigged all over the UK and recorded their own radio programme, ‘Totally Gizmo’, for BBC Radio 7 They’ll be returning to Bedford with their fifth brand-new full-length show. A show that answers all the big questions: what’s small, pink and should never be juggled? If an air guitar falls over in a forest, does it make a sound? It’s the only show performed entirely at gunpoint. Book now!
TIME OUT ★★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN
THE TIMES
THE TELEGRAPH
THE INDEPENDENT
BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE ★★★★CHORTLE
BROADWAY BABY www idiotsofants com
8.00pm
£12 (£10 CONCESSIONS)
BEDFORD THEATRE 60mins DE PARYS AVENUE, BEDFORD 14yrs+
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ISY SUTTIE & FRIENDS
Twice nominated for a British Comedy Award, Isy is the darling of the UK alternative comedy scene, whose left-field songs, stand-up and characters enchant audiences all around. She is best known for her portrayal of Dobby in the Channel 4 cult comedy Peep Show.
“A voice you want to swim in”
THE INDEPENDENT
Line-up also includes Don Biswas “a unique performer with razor sharp one liners” TIME OUT and Castle Comedy regular Paul Revill
8.30pm (doors open 8pm)
£8
THE ENT SHED 120mins (15min interval) CASTLE ROAD, BEDFORD 18yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
box office: 01234 269519
www bedfringe com
Love Bedford Comedy by arrangement with Lisa Thomas Management
JOEL DOMMETT: RIDICULOUSNESS
After a hugely successful run at Edinburgh Festival with his debut show, neon Hero, Joel Dommett (MTV news, BBC3’s Russell Howard’s Good news) comes to Bedfringe with his new show for 2012Ridiculousness.
Joel has had a ridiculous year to talk about including strangely being selected as the opening act for Justin Bieber, chatting to Lady Gaga, getting dumped on a rollercoaster and lots, lots more
★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN ★★★★ TIME OUT ★★★★ THREE WEEKS www.joeldommett.com
8.00pm
£5
THE HOWARD ROOM 60mins ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFORD 14yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
McIntyre Ian Group present THE KEVIN CRUISE
SHOW
Kevin promises a night of high seas cruising antics, including comedy sketches, game shows, audience participation, magic, bingo and songs galore. In true cabaret style, your cruise host and dazzling dancers will transport you onto the high seas bringing a little cruise ship fun and magic to the on land masses
Award-winning Kevin Cruise burst onto our screens in the launch show of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ series 4. 14 million ITV viewers watched Kevin receive a standing ovation at the Hammersmith Apollo and sail through to the live shows.
“Hilarous!” JANE McDONALD
“Unadulterated, sheer entertainment!”
AMANDA HOLDEN
7 30pm
www kevincruise co uk FSSMTWTFSSMT
£10 (£8 ConCESSIonS) Family Ticket: £32 (max 2 adults)
SoUTH BAnK ARTS CEnTRE 70mins (15min interval) BEDFoRD CoLLEGE All ages
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
LUKE TOULSON & GEOFF NORCOTT
LUKE TOULSON: LUKE WHO’S TALKING
The Perrier nominee and writer for comics who appear on Live at The Apollo and Mock The week presents “a gimmick-free hour of rock-solid comedy” (Chortle) about the two women in his life: a French actress girlfriend and an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. He’s never won an argument with either, and it’s time to set the record straight!
“a gifted comic” SUNDAY TIMES
GEOFF NORCOTT (AVOIDS A DOUBLE DIP)
Geoff’s life hit an iceberg then slipped on the way to the lifeboat. How to turn things around? There must be a perfect balance of meditation, counselling and sunbeds. whether it’s depression or one of those week-long glorified hissy fits, this new show is relevant to anyone trying to get the smile back on their face.
“A comedian with a big future” THE MIRROR
7 30pm £8
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
MARCEL LUCONT & MARK LITTLE
Australian Mark Little played one of the best-loved characters in soap history when he was Joe Mangel in neighbours However those in the know recognise Mark as a sensational stand up comedian who has become an Edinburgh Fringe favourite. This year he returns with a new show that tackles @wikileaks/@twitter culture – THEbullsh*tARTIST
Frenchman Marcel Lucont is easily the greatest UKbased French comedian around. In his show – Marcel Lucont: Gallic Symbol he seeks audience for one hour only for fun, adventure, maybe something more Must have own underwear and socks and breath, but be prepared to have these charmed off, laughed off and taken away respectively
“Fresh, accessible and hilarious” THE GUARDIAN
“Wonderful French wit His elegant, sardonic turns of phrase are an utter joy Superb stuff” ★★★★ TIMEOUT.
Heard the one about the Australian and the Frenchman?
8 30pm (doors open 8pm) £8
THE ENT SHED 120min (15min interval) CASTLE ROAD, BEDFORD 16yrs+
THE PLACE THEATRE 120min (15min interval) BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 16yrs+ FSSMTWTFSSMTW
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Love Bedford Comedy present MARLON
DAVIS: ENTER THE DAVISM
Join Marlon in a preview of his anticipated debut show from one of comedy's rising stars
Marlon’s act is inspired from his upbringing, exploring urban Britain and tackling its social issues with skilful characterisations
Winner: FHM STAND UP HERO
Finalist: SO YOU THINK YOU’RE FUNNY
“Bursts on to stage like a breath of fresh air” CHORTLE
“Charming Observationalist” TIME OUT www offthekerb co uk
8.00pm £5
THE HOWARD ROOM 60mins ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFORD 14yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfringe.com
Love Bedford Comedy by arrangement with Lisa Thomas Management
MATTHEW CROSBY
Matthew Crosby tries out new material prior to returning to the Edinburgh Fringe following his highly-anticipated debut solo show in 2011. A must-see for any geek desperate to prove that they’re not a nerd As seen on ‘8 out of 10 Cats’ and ‘never Mind The Buzzcocks’
Winner: CHORTLE COMEDY AWARD
“Winsome and charming” THE INDEPENDENT
“Devastatingly caustic and humorous”
★★★★THE LIST
“Groucho Marx trapped in the body of Woody Allen” EVENING STANDARD www.matthewcrosby.blogspot.com
8.00pm £5
THE HOWARD ROOM 60mins ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFORD 14yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Bedfringe presents a comedy double bill MONKEY POET’S MURDER MYSTERY
The multi-award-winning satirical rhymster delves into the murky underworld of poetry.
There is a murderer on Literature Lane brutally killing off the poets naturally, no-one’s that bothered Shakespeare turns up, as does Homer, Byron, Sylvia Plath, Ginsberg and Bukowski. Most of them want to get drunk or stoned, however wilde wants to get laid and has his eyes set on a certain monkey
MONKEY POET’S POTTY MOUTH
Multi-award winner Monkey Poet’s new show is sure to be viciously funny, poetically provocative and irredeemably savage “must-see show” THE STAGE
7.30pm £8 (£7 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 120mins (15min interval) BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 16yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
box office: 01234 269519
www.bedfringe.com
Lisa Thomas Management presents PAPPY’S
Multi award-winning sketch
trio preview brand new sketches. From Channel 4, Radio 4 and BBC3, Pappy’s are “The funniest sketch troupe on the Fringe” THE SCOTSMAN
“Sketch Genius”
★★★★TIME OUT
“Extraordinarily fresh and funny… glorious stuff” THE TIMES
“a show that pairs clever, witty sketches with brilliant clowning” ★★★★★THE METRO
“No one plies silliness as well as Pappy’s”
★★★★THE TELEGRAPH
“The best in their genre” ★★★★★THE MIRROR www.pappyscomedy.com
7 30pm £6 50
THE HOWARD ROOM 60mins ST PAUL’S SQUARE, BEDFORD 13yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Vivienne Smith Management presents
PATRICK MONAHAN: SHOOTING FROM THE LIP
Pat returns to Bedfringe once again to preview his new Edinburgh Fringe show.
As seen on ITV1’s ‘The Comedy Annual’ ‘Loose women’ ‘Daybreak’ and Channel 5’s ‘Big Brother’s Bit on The Side’ Patrick is a superb anecdotal comedian – having been brought up in Middlesbrough by his Iranian Mother and Irish Dad he has many hilarious and engaging stories about his heritage
Winner: ITV1’S ‘SHOW ME THE FUNNY’
www patrickmonahan co uk
8pm £8
THE ENT SHED 80mins CASTLE ROAD, BEDFORD 16yrs+
FSSMTWTF S SMTWTFS 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
objective Talent Management presents PETE FIRMAN
The UK’s leading comedic conjuror and star of BBC1’s ‘The Magicians’ previews brand new material for his forthcoming festival appearances and national tour.
“The best magic tricks in the Universe” INDEPENDENT “Tremendous fun from a performer at the top of his not inconsiderable game” ★★★★ THE MIRROR
VIKKI STONE
As seen on This Morning (ITV1), Britain in Bed (BBC3) and MTV’s Flashprank comedian, singer and musician Vikki Stone makes her first appearance in Bedford with this follow-up to her award-nominated debut.
“Clever, catchy stuff funny, fresh a woman to watch”
KATE COPSTICK, THE SCOTSMAN
“The Bette Midler of the Adele generation” SUNDAY HERALD
8.00pm £12 (£10 CONCESSIONS)
BEDFORD THEATRE 110mins (15min interval) DE PARYS AVENUE, BEDFORD 14yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
box office: 01234 269519
www bedfringe com
The Reduced Shakespeare Company presents
THE WORLD OF SPORTS (ABRIDGED)
The “bad boys of abridgement” are back in the UK following a highly successful run in new York and a sell-out US tour. In this exclusive tour ahead of the show’s west End premiere, the entire history of athletic competition is revisited in a marathon of madness and mayhem Let the games begin!
“Extremely smart and funny” BROADWAY WORLD
“It’s hard not to grin all night!” WASHINGTON POST www reducedshakespeare com
(15min interval) ST
Seabright Productions present SHOWSTOPPER!
THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL
A brand new musical is created from scratch at each performance of this award-winning production, which has played sell-out seasons in London’s west End and at the Edinburgh festival
“Having now seen Showstopper! twice, I can testify that not only is each performance achingly funny, it’s a genuinely new full-length musical every time Top-class creativity in action Worth seeing again and again ” ★★★★★TIME OUT
“The show is a blast. It makes your jaw drop in impressed amazement and your ribs ache with laughter Simultaneously a pastiche, a parody and a paean to musical theatre ” ★★★★★MAIL ON SUNDAY www.showstopperthemusical.com
box o ce 01234 269519 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk B e d f o r d C o r n E x c h a n g
This July...
Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete World of Sports (abridged) - 13th July
BedFringe - 13th to 28th July
The Gru alo - 16th & 17th July
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical - 24th July
Coming Soon...
Greg Davies
Al Murray - The Pub Landlord
Mark Watson
Broadway & Beyond
Venue Hire...
For weddings, celebrations, functions, parties, ceremonies, conferences, working breakfasts or lunches, the Bedford Corn Exchange offers the setting to fulfil your needs.
From the traditional to the most contemporary of styles, we have the experience and skills to make your event a success.
box office: 01234 269519
www.bedfringe.com
SIMON MUNNERY: FYLM MAKKER
Experimenting with a tiny camera and big screen, Simon Munnery presents a new show.
Stand-up, monologues, sketches and fylms.
“He’s nothing less than a genius” THE GUARDIAN
“A true original” ★★★★★THE SCOTSMAN
★★★★★EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
www.simonmunnery.com
8 30pm £7.50 (£6.50 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 13yrs+
F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Straight Laced Productions present BANG YOU’RE DEAD
Bedfringe 2011 sell-out company (Memory of water) return with their new show.
In this black comedy husband and wife Theo and Lydia are at home celebrating the birthday of Theo’s secretary Miss Trim when the arrival of a charming intruder reveals ulterior motives and changes all their plans. warning: this show contains a gun, blackmail and the 70s
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Company BOO LINGERIE
A brand new Socky Horror Show starring the darlings of stage, screen and YouTube with new songs, sketches, socks and violence. And probably zombies
“Superbly written, crafted and performed show”
★★★★THE PUNCH (AUSTRALIA 2012)
“An absolute winner” ★★★★CHORTLE
“For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz denier miss it”
★★★★THE SCOTSMAN
“I experienced streaming tears of laughter and almost fell off my chair clutching my aching sides”
★★★★BROADWAY BABY
7.00pm £7.50 (£6.50 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 16yrs+
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Dumbstruck Productions with LifeBox present THE BEAST WITHIN
Author: Mike Carter Director: Phil Mardin
The Beast within is a new work of contemporary monologues inspired by the French ‘Grand Guignol’ style theatre of horror
Fusing everyday people and places with the gruesome and horrific, take the chance to explore your darker side with macabre humour, these stories for our time excavate the depths of the human soul.
Is your stomach strong enough?! www.facebook.com/dumbstruckproductions
9.30pm £8
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 15yrs+
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Costume by Rose Tinted Vintage, Hair by Sarah’s Doo wop Dos, and rehearsal photography by Jez Brown Photography
Dumbstruck Productions with Swan Theatre Co present
BONNIE & CLYDE
Author: Adam Peck
Director: Phil Mardin
23rd May 1934, an old barn in a southern state of America Two of the most wanted people in the US are seeing out their last few hours, showing their love for each other, laughing at their past life and fearful for what is to come
The writer, Adam Peck, puts aside the glamour and glorification and has got inside the people in this intimate work that looks behind the myth and finds the heart www.facebook.com/dumbstruckproductions
4 00pm £10
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 12yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Stepping Stone Theatre present
DANDY IN THE UNDERWORLD
with a childhood surrounded by alcoholisim and petty cruelties, an adolescence of rebellion and punkish anarchy and an adulthood peppered with heroin addiction, voluntary crucifixion, failed suicide and a penchant for sex with prostitutes, Sebastian Horsley's life was always destined to become a work of art “The hilarious and insane story of one of Soho’s most colourful real-life characters, the painter and dandy Sebastian Horsley ” TIM FOUNTAIN www.steppingstonetheatrecoltd.com
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6 00pm £7 50 (£6 50 ConCESSIonS) THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD All ages
Blackout Theatre Company present CONTRACTIONS
By Mike Bartlett
Emma’s been seeing Darren from work. She thinks she’s in love. Her manager thinks she’s in breach of contract. The situation needs to be resolved An ink-black comedy about work and its relationship to our personal lives, which invites the audience to an HR meeting with the manager from hell... “This two-hander is ferociously funny while being absolutely appalling - pulling off the rare trick of being at once far-fetched and grimly plausible”
DAILY TELEGRAPH
2.30pm £6 (£5 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 55mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 16yrs+
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13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Act one present
FAIRYTALE HEART
By Philip Ridley. A play about the magical power of storytelling and first romance.
Two 15-year-olds confront their loneliness by exploring the language of theatre itself in a derelict community centre.
Act one has been established at the Place Theatre, Bedford for ten years and is run by Sally Hammelev It offers Saturday morning drama classes during term time for pupils aged 7 to 18 years and holiday courses during the Easter and Summer school breaks
For more information please contact Sally actone.theatreschool@yahoo.co. uk
12 00pm £5 (£4 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 12yrs+
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Dyad Productions present
FEMALE GOTHIC
From the company that brought you Austen’s women, I, Elizabeth and The Diaries of Adam and Eve
In the unquiet darkness between life and death, a lone, haunted woman tells chilling tales of the macabre and terrifying, illuminating the curious frailties of human nature
Many thrilling stories from the great female writers of that era have been forgotten. Until now. Adapted and performed by Rebecca Vaughan. Directed by Guy Masterson.
“Comic and poetic, thoughtful and polished compelling theatre” ★★★★ FRINGE REVIEW (ON ‘DIARIES OF ADAM AND EVE’) www.dyadproductions.com
7 30pm £9 (£7 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE
RoAD, BEDFoRD
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Mad Dogs & Englishmen present DAVID
COPPERFIELD
A new adaptation by Stephan Drury
An evening of pure theatre, Charles Dickens’ favourite tale is brought to the stage with a flourish by the award-winning Mad Dogs & Englishmen Theatre Company. Touring nationally, this fast-paced new adaptation evokes all of the hilarity and pathos of Dickens’ writing and is sure to entertain and delight
Directed by Ann Courtney
“Of all my books, I like this the best… Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child And his name is David Copperfield ” Charles Dickens (from the preface to David Copperfield)
2.30pm matinee student tickets only £6. Group deal 10+1 (order through admin@bedfringe.com).
2.30pm & 7.30pm £9 (£7.50 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 130mins (15min interval) BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 12yrs+
Full House presents
GASP
GASP is a newly devised production performed by an ensemble of young actors from the Bedford and District Cerebral Palsy Society This ferociously powerful piece has been created through collaboration with Bedford-based Full House Theatre Company GASP promises to be a fastpaced, thought provoking and highly evocative piece crafted from the thoughts and experiences of the young performers involved
“Full House is professional family theatre at its spell binding best” BEDS ON SUNDAY
www fullhouse org uk
12 30pm £7 (£5 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 50mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD All ages
Bedford School Theatre Productions present
THE GOLDEN VANITY/ A PAIR OF TRAINERS
Two conflicts, from an action-packed adventure on the high seas to a modern-day olympic dilemma.
Benjamin Britten’s vaudeville The Golden Vanity is a classic tale of bravery, self-sacrifice and betrayal at sea. when gallant ship The Golden Vanity is attacked by pirates it seems that all is lost…
A brand new one-act musical by James Lark (Miracles at Short notice, Tony Blair the Musical) telling the story of Jimmy Quadricep, an olympic runner who is put in a tricky situation when a journalist asks him an awkward question about his trainers www bedfordtheatre co uk
2 30pm £6 50 (£5 50 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 8yrs+
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The All In Theatre & ITAP present
HOSPITAL SOFA
Everyday at five in the afternoon o and D sit on their sofa to await their death Every day the same frame the same idea. But death is not coming, time has stretched and the bridges of reality are falling.
A story about the life of a sofa and the two people who sit on it. The sofa is our fixed point. Join us and travel on our amazing adventure.
Inspired by the work of Bruno Schulz http://sstheatre.wordpress.com
2 30pm (27th) & 4 30pm (28th) £7 50 (£6 50 ConC ) THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 15yrs+
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Topical, interesting, anticipated, informative, relevant, targetted, local, compelling, gets results –just a few of the words that have been used to described our local community-based magazines.
Bedfringe presents
THE
INIQUITOUS CLASS
A compelling example of didactic and expressionistic theatre Three training actors hurl their audience into a world of the corruption and oppression that have continued throughout human history
From bonus-laden bankers to cunning clerics of the Renaissance, from the workplace to the frontline; this piece surges through an exploration of all aspects of society and laments the loss of the individual in today’s world A visually and aurally captivating piece of theatre: hilarious, physical, yet encouraging careful consideration.
Certainly not your ‘everyday’ theatre!
6.00pm £5 (£4 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 35mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 12yrs+
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Pip Utton presents THE HUNCHBACK OF
NOTRE DAME
Victor Hugo’s classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story is told through the mangled words of the Hunchback, Quasimodo. His rejection by all because of his appearance reflects and challenges today’s obsession with image and perfect beauty If beauty is only skin deep, then perhaps, so is ugliness
“A one-man masterpiece” ★★★★★ THREE WEEKS
“master of the one-man show and this is one of his best” ★★★★★ BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
“ beautifully crafted and his performance is absolutely compelling” ★★★★ EDINBURGH GUIDE
www.pip-utton.com
“As psychological as it is emotional, this play achieves beauty in its simplicity and pleads for unconditional acceptance of every human being on this earth”
THE STAGE
8.00pm £8 (£6 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 70mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 13yrs+
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Divaldio Theatre Company presents MAD FOR
7.30pm
MADELINE
Madeline is losing her patience, her cash and her looks Life’s daily routines are gradually wearing her down. She wants to be tempted, to be desired; she wants to be a winner in this game of love. will Madeline tempt fate by peering into the future and meet her true love? will she get the chance and at what cost? Can a relationship that was consummated in a dream become reality?
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 16yrs+
nunkie Theatre presents a ghost story double bill
OH WHISTLE AND I WILL COME TO YOU, MY LAD
Following his critically acclaimed one-man show A Pleasing Terror, Robert Lloyd Parry returns to Bedford with two more of M. R. James’ classic spinechillers oh, whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad – a tale of nocturnal horror on the Suffolk coast - is considered by many to be the author’s masterpiece It is beautifully complemented here by THE ASH TREE, a story of witchcraft and vengeance down the generations.
8 00pm £10 (£8 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 100mins (15min interval) BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 13yrs+
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Blackout Theatre Company presents
NO DIRECTION
A new play by Bedford author, Ben Kaspar, directed by Bob Golding no Direction features Albert welling (Doctor who, Cemetery Junction) and Ronnie Toms (The Sociable Plover, The Rising), in a dark comedy which explores loyalty in male relationships, the nature of reality and the art of theatre. Very funny and with moments to really make the audience think, no Direction is a night at the theatre with a difference
“one of the funniest, best written, best performed new plays I have seen in some time”
STEVE LOWE, BEDS ON SUNDAY
7 30pm £7 50 (£6 50 ConCESSIonS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE RoAD, BEDFoRD 16yrs+
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nicholas Collett Productions present SPITFIRE
SOLO
Eighty-year old Peter walker, ex-Battle of Britain pilot, must once again find the resilience, determination and strength to do what must be done As he re-lives past glories, losses, wartime experiences, family memories and the heady days of blue skies and battles, he searches for the answer to the biggest question so far! Personal, charming, funny and inventive, ‘Spitfire Solo’ is one man’s battle for survival, the second time around!
“Hugely entertaining” ADELAIDE THEATRE GUIDE
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box office: 01234 269519 www.bedfringe.com
Tony Phillips presents
STRANGERS ON ANOTHER TRAIN
A tribute to Alfred Hitchcock written by Tony Phillips Step Two & wayland are heading for the Cambridge Film Festival. Suddenly their train stops leaving them stranded and all alone The strangers indulge in a battle of wits, but are they killing a little more than mere time? Is murder on the horizon perhaps?
WHISTLE
when Martin Figura was nine years old, his father killed his mother. whistle is a multimedia depiction of a post-war British childhood using poetry, family photographs and striking visuals. Figura explores themes of identity, forgiveness, loss, adoption and family with insight and gentle humour, to tell a unique coming-of-age story, which is both profound and uplifting
Shortlisted: TED HUGHES AWARD FOR NEW WORK 2010
Winner: HAMISH CANHAM PRIZE 2010
“Profoundly honest and at the same time joyfully entertaining” THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
7.30pm £7.50 (£6.50 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Stars: Julie Higgins (Emmerdale & Coronation Street) and Irwin Sparkles (The Hoosiers) FSSMT W
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Future
Legend & Abusive
7.30pm £8 (£6 CONCESSIONS)
THE PLACE THEATRE 60 mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 10yrs+
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Arts present THE LAST FLIGHT: FILM PREMIÈRE
Twinwood Airfield, on the eve of the millennium, something’s wrong a disturbing truth a great wartime secret is about to be revealed. Based on true events this film explores the mysterious disappearance of US band leader Glenn Miller in the winter of 1944 Adapted from the sell-out play ‘The Glenn Miller Mystery’, this film was shot on location in Bedfordshire. The director and some of the actors will also be present at the showing.
Bedford’s very own award-winning Jazz DJ, Richard Compton will also be in attendance.
Opens 7.30pm for 8pm start
£5
THE ENT SHED 50mins BRADGATE ROAD, BEDFORD 12yrs+
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