Bedfringe 2011

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Welco m e to Be dfringe five in a sso ciatio n w ith Eagle Beer an d in conjunctio n with the Be dford Players Trust!

Here we go again for another jam-packed festival of theatre, comedy, poetry, music, dance, mime, story telling and anything else we can fit in!

To date we have seen approximately 136 acts pass through our doors which amounts to over 500 performers! This year we have extended the festival back to its deserved scale with up to 16 days of non-stop, top notch entertainment.

We also have seven venues including The Place Theatre, Bedford School Theatre, Bedford Corn Exchange, The Howard Room, Russell Park Club, The Ent. Shed and The South Bank Arts Centre!

Bedfringe is a festival for everyone. We try and find work from all genres of performing arts for all age groups from the local area to countries on the other side of the globe. We both have a passion for theatre and work professionally in the industry in either production and venue management or performance and coaching and felt that here is an opportunity to put something back into our community. We hope you enjoy this year’s festival.

James Pharaoh and Richard Mann

bedfringe.com Bedfringe is produced

by Future Legend; a Bedford based production company with over 15 years of experience in theatre, film and video futurelegend.co.uk production.

box office: 01234 269519 Bedford Players Trust, the parent charity of The Place, was established in 1984 and for many years focused on the provision of rehearsal premises for local theatre groups and the promotion of professional touring theatre in Bedford.

INTRODUCING THE BEDFRINGE 2011 SPONSORS

Impactproductions.co.uk

BEDFRINGE STAFF: James Pharaoh..... Chief Executive Richard Mann....... Artistic Director Rae Levene ........... Sponsorship Co-ordinator Fiona Fowler ........ Administrative Assistant Alex Levene.......... Arts Co-ordinator, Bedfordshire Ian Renshaw......... Illustrator FOH Team .............. Theo Green, Lily Hannant, James Mann, Elizabeth Margereson, Tom Richter, Alice Wright Come hear the noise, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: Carl Amos, David Baxter, Emily Finney, Sue Fowler, Javi Hernandez-Stalder, Sunil Kalyan, John Lowe, Gaynor Maher, Mike Manera, Cllr Doug McMurdo, John McPherson, Helen Mudd, Justin Phillimore, Sue Reeves, Emma Richards, We Are Bedford, Joel Yentis. or email us at: mail@bedfringe.com

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Friday 15th July 7.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

Driving Miss Daisy Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and Central Standard Theatre, Kansas City, USA (in association with Blackout Theatre Company, Bedford) are pleased to announce their production of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy.

The play affectionately covers the twenty-five year relationship between Daisy Werthan, a wealthy, strong-willed Southern matron and her equally indomitable black chauffeur, Hoke Coleburn.

Both employer and employee are outsiders, Hoke because of the colour of his skin, Miss Daisy because she is Jewish in a WASP-dominated society. At the same time, Hoke cannot fathom Miss Daisy’s cloistered inability to grasp the social changes that are sweeping the South in the 1960s. Nor can Miss Daisy understand why Hoke’s “people” are so indignant. www.metkc.org

£10 Age Guidance: 15+

Friday 15th July 7.30pm

Length: 90mins (15min interval)

Venue: Bedford School Theatre

Tim FitzHigham: Gentleman Adventurer The true spirit of the Fringe, multi-award-winning, Perrier nominated comedian, author, explorer and occasional film star, the very modest, Tim FitzHigham, is back in Bedford!

Come see the amazing brand new show from this brilliant talent. He’s the only man ever to row the English channel in a bath. He’s broken records in a paper boat, run up and down active volcanoes, undergone quests in armour, and pioneered endurance morris dancing, ruined hollywood films with Benicio Del Torro and Anthony Hopkins and most recently with Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood... and narrowly avoided death on several occasions all for your entertainment and amusement.

Now Tim has a problem... a big one! He’s a man fighting to protect a way of life... albeit a ridiculous one. Come witness one of this country’s most exceptional, unpredictable and exciting comic talents at his best.

“Gut bustingly funny” THE SCOTSMAN. “Inspirational” TIME OUT. “A national treasure” CHORTLE. “...consistently hilarious – the perfect British eccentric” DARA O BRIAIN. www.fitzhigham.co.uk

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£8 (£6 concession) Length: 2 x 45 mins + 15 min interval

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Friday 15th July 8.30pm (doors open 8pm)

Matt Kirshen & Kerry Godliman

MATT KIRSHEN first came to the public’s attention by winning the 2007 prestigious Hackney Empire New Comedian of the Year award. Since then he has gone on to great critical and popular acclaim as one of the UKs best stand ups. This included reaching the last seven in Last Comic Standing in the USA (a kind of American X-Factor for comedians) which has led to Matt becoming a big star in the States.

“A rollercoaster of comedy genius” THE SCOTSMAN “Excellent” THE STAGE “A pocket sized dynamo” EVENING STANDARD KERRY GODLIMAN is an actress and stand up best known for staring in CH4 sketch show Spoons. Kerry has toured the UK extensively and appeared on the last series of the Michael McIntyre Roadshow.

“A great comic who oozes personality” EVENING STANDARD “She may present herself as just one of the girls, but this young Londoner has clearly got the potential to really stand out” THE SCOTSMAN “This cocky Londoner knows how to hold an audience’s attention, with a wellhoned delivery that ensures her material always gets the best response.”

CHORTLE

Saturday 16th July 2.30pm

Venue: The Ent Shed

Comedy In Bed & Bedfringe give you two full length shows from two great stand up comedians!

£8 (No concessions) Length: 120mins + interval

Venue: The Place Theatre

The Event

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and Central Standard Theatre, Kansas City USA Written by playwright John Clancy and featuring Bob Paisley A man stands in a pool of light on the stage. He is an actor. We know this because he tells us so, but also because our past experience tells us that this is what actors do. He appears to be intelligent, but this might just be clever direction. There is a huge gap between what we assume and what we actually know. And the more he tells us, the less we think for ourselves. We are truly in the dark. Who do we think he is?

The Event is hugely acclaimed, beautifully conceived theatre, masterfully delivering a profound, thought-provoking, imaginative experience.

“Absolutely superb theatre that lives long in the imagination and deserves to be the top of any must see list! Five stars” THE MIRROR www.metkc.org

£8 (£7 concessions) Age Guidance: 15+

Length: 65mins

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bedfringe.com Saturday 16th July 4.30pm

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

The Rather Ridiculous Experiment!

Produced by Riverside Theatre Company (St Neots) What happens when you get some of the Countries top scientists and give them tasks such as; creating a cake that makes you laugh and tap shoes that self-tap? Do you like using words such as ‘wow’ and ‘scrumptious’?

The Rather Ridiculous Experiment is a seminar in the peculiar, a flight of fancy and a devilish delight of inquisitives.

Riverside Theatre Company returns once again to Bedfringe with their new show for all the family – including you! www.riversidetheatrecompany.co.uk

£6 (£5 concessions) Length: 55mins

Saturday 16th July 7.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

Simon Munnery: Hats Off To The 101ers A one man musical about the R101 airship disaster of 1930 and some other new stuff.

Renowned for his extraordinarily original character creations such as The League Against Tedium and Alan Parker Urban Warrior, Simon Munnery has rightly been described as “One of the most original and talented comics in the country” This Perrier Award nominee has made groundbreaking live performances throughout the UK and impressed critics with his innovative multimedia shows in New York, Aspen, Melbourne, Toronto and Philadelphia.

Simon has written and starred in his own TV series, Attention Scum (BBC Two) which was nominated for The Golden Rose of Montreux, and has appeared on The Live Floor Show (BBC Two), The Stand-Up Show (BBC One) Saturday Night Live (ITV1) and CGI (ITV).

“Go see” ★★★★EVENING STANDARD www.simonmunnery.com

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£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 60mins

bedfringe.com Sunday 17th July 2.30pm

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

The Starstruck Revue Starstruck are a Bedford based theatre company founded in 2009 and led by teacher / director Sophie Pillar. Starstruck work in a collaborative way encouraging the whole company get inspired and be creative.

Starstruck Theatre Company presents a revue of the year’s work, with sketches, songs and movement pieces for the whole family to enjoy. This is the third successive year that Starstruck has appeared at the Bedfringe festival, providing audiences with its own brand of comedy and style. This year the company have chosen to present a revue of their work in a change from the usual storytelling style – there will be something for everyone!

£5 (£4 concessions) Length: 45mins

Sunday 17th July 4.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

Hold Two Thirds Sky return to Bedfringe 2011 with ‘Hold’, a solo for two women who, in dancing become the same body.

They continually withdraw from each other, only to return and return again.

The women become traces of themselves and each other, thrashing around in the creation of a non-specific ‘past’ that is located in a far off place. They gradually morph to become fictitious caricatures of themselves, presenting facetted views of the same image.

Both women in vain, attempt to hold onto the audience’s gaze, but eventually become mere apparitions that are visible for a moment before fading to disappear.

"One is not just mesmerised by watching this work; it demands that you live the dance vicariously through the performers. I was rapt throughout and exhausted by the end!" THE REVIEW www.twothirdssky.co.uk

£7 (£5 concessions) Length: 55mins

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Sunday 17th July 7.00pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

Spitfire Solo blueground in association with perf@ect Performed by Nicholas Collett Peter was a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Now he flies solo in a retirement home. He misses his wife and his independence. He remembers the seemingly limitless blue skies over Kent, the courage of fallen comrades and his mistress – the Spitfire. Struggling to write his will, an unexpected visitor arrives with dramatic news which turns his life upside down. The Battle of Britain is over. Peter’s own battle is about to begin.

Devised by Gavin Robertson Songs recorded by Maria Tecce www.nicholascollett.com Image credit: IWM ART LD 2123 Runway Perspective 1942 by Eric Ravilious Credit: Imperial War Museum

Sunday 17th July 7.00pm

The BIG Dance @ Bedfringe!

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 60mins

Venue: South Bank Arts Centre (Studio Theatre)

Bedfordshire Youth Dance Company An evening of dance DANCE WORKSHOPS: As part of the BIG Dance at Bedfringe, Bedfordshire Youth Dance Company present an interactive day of dance.... Come along in the morning for a chance to try out some new ideas with BYDC’s talented dance leaders, Ideal for ages 11-18.

PERFORM YOUR DANCE: If you have a solo dance or you are part of a duet or a dance group/school then you have the chance to show your dance as part of the BIG DANCE WINNERS section of the day.

For more information and details on how to take part see the Bedfringe website.

£5 (£3 concessions) Length: 90mins

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Monday 18th July 7.30pm

Venue: Howard Room (Corn Exchange complex)

Bedfringe Five... Live!

Feat. Priorité à Gauche

An evening of top-notch comedy and music hosted by Perrier Comedy Award winners Priorité à Gauche.

Priorité à Gauche are Jean-François and Didier – two French rock, rap, pop and roll stars who have wowed British audiences with their unique sound. This is a French exchange like you have never seen before.

Whether rapping about the merits of British culture and their new-found celebrity, or getting back to their roots with just a couple of guitars, Priorité à Gauche are hyper-maxi cool and definitely ‘dans la maison’ – in the home.

“Hilarious!” SUNDAY TIMES “Glorious!” TELEGRAPH “A must see” THE GUARDIAN “One of the year’s most hilarious acts” THE SUNDAY TIMES “Last year they were merely megacool. This year they have gone hyper ... It is sheer delight to spend an hour with them...”

THE SCOTSMAN Line up also includes stand-up from Alexander Perkins, Rachel Perkins and Luke Toulson (winner of the Hackney Empire New Act of The Year and Perrier Best Newcomer Nominee). We also have Bedford’s very own up-and-coming stand-up, Kieran Murphy... and live music from Manchester’s fantasy folk rockers, ‘The Golden Apple’ (“An energetic, duo with the presence of a whole band” BEDFRINGE 2007).

Finally, Bedford’s resident Bluenote Endorsed Jazz DJ, Richard Compton also joins us this year with a selection of jazz from lounge, Latin, modern, bebop to the sounds of crooners and big band swing.

Bedfringe Five… Live! is sponsored by Barclays Corporate.

Age Guidance: 15+

£10 (£8 concessions) Length: 120mins

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bedfringe.com Tuesday 19th July 7.30pm

Luke Toulson: Fear, Love & Other Monkeys

Last year, award-winning and Perrier nominated stand-up Luke Toulson (“a gifted comic” THE SUNDAY TIMES) performed a critically acclaimed show about quitting alcohol. It was the most significant thing to happen to him that year, so it made sense to write a show about it.

The most significant thing to happen to him this year was his washing machine broke. His friends have been far less supportive. Going on dates when you don’t drink is difficult, but when you don’t have any clean clothes, it’s impossible. But that doesn’t stop you falling in love.

But how do you know if she’s the one? Especially when lovecalculator.com keeps telling you you’ve got a better chance of a successful relationship with Pol Pot. I mean, he’s ok, but politically we’re miles apart. And this is all before we get to the bit about almost dying in a plane crash.

Why, what monkeys do you have on your back? “in terms of laughs-per-minute, the show scores well” THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 60mins

Wednesday 20th July 7.30pm

Pip Utton is: Charles Dickens

An attempt to find the man behind the myth. The man who could proclaim the virtues of a steady domestic life at the same time as leaving his wife for a younger woman; a man who was fascinated by death and terrified by it; a man who could entertain and become drained by the emotions.

Dickens is preparing to give a reading. For the purpose of the play he is preparing for his first reading that then becomes his last reading, allowing Dickens to be both bright and keen and excited and then to be facing his own mortality.

The hope is that the audience leave not only thinking that they have heard some of the finest of Dickens’ writing but that they have also spent some time with the man himself.

Dickens transposed many of his writings for public reading. His enthusiasm for taking his work to his fans was boundless. He loved the adoration, he thrived on the emotional connection with an audience and he welcomed the extra source of income.

“Utton is the master of the one man show” THE GUARDIAN www.pip-utton.com

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Venue: The Place Theatre

£8 (£6 concessions) Length: 60mins

bedfringe.com Thursday 21st July 7.00pm

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

Patrick Monahan: Touch Me, I Feel Good A brand new stand up show from international award winning Irish/Iranian/Teesside comedian Patrick Monahan “At last, comedy that dares to keep things clean” THE DAILY MAIL “Monahan manages to amuse and charm without resorting to grossness or sexual innuendo. He has the dark looks and stubble of the Middle East, married to the charm of the Irish and the sense of fun of the Teessider, Omid Djalli meets Dave Allen” THE DAILY MAIL “quick witted stand up” THE GUARDIAN “has considerable charm and easy interaction with his audience. There’s no question at all that this fella can make an audience laugh. Without doubt a man who can do funny” THE MIRROR www.patrickmonahan.co.uk Nichol £1 OFF Phil ith your w t gh ni comedy ahan Patrick Mon ticket

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 60mins

Thursday 21st July 8.30pm (doors open 8pm)

Venue: The Ent Shed

Phil Nichol & Stephen Carlin Comedy In Bed & Bedfringe give you two full length shows from two great stand up comedians!

It’s almost impossible to predict what PHIL NICHOL will do next. He won the Edinburgh if.comedy award with a “nude” stand up show called The Naked Racist, while last year’s show Welcome To Crazytown he took on the persona of beat poet Bobby Spade in a seedy jazz club.

NOMINEE CHORTLE BEST HEADLINER AWARD (2010, 2006, 2002) IF.COM EDDIE AWARD WINNER 2006 Joining Phil on this double bill is Scottish comic STEPHEN CARLIN. He has performed all over the UK, USA, Ireland and Canada as well as supporting Stewart Lee on his UK tour. His deadpan nit picking is a joy to behold.

“So thoughtful you would put your house on him reinventing the knock knock joke... Announcing the arrival of a new comedy original” THE HERALD “Ready to become at the very least a cult favourite among fans of the sharper end of stand-up.” THE GUARDIAN

£8 Length: 120mins + interval

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Friday 22nd July 8.00pm

Venue: Corn Exchange

Barry and Stuart Live!

As seen on BBC1’s ‘The Magic ians’!

Objective Talent Management

Join the World Magic Awards Best Comedy Illusionists and stars of BBC1’s The Magicians for a night of devious, jaw-dropping magic in a rare chance to see their uniquely inventive illusions live on stage.

The two Scottish, BAFTA nominated comedy magicians regularly perform wonder invoking, laughter inducing, awe-inspiring magic. Stylistically dark and weird they are creepy, cool, and funny.

They caused a national outcry with their Channel 4 Christmas and Easter specials, The Magic of Jesus and Tricks from the Bible in which the pair visited Egypt to walk on water, raise the dead, and even make a real honest-to-goodness virgin pregnant. As a result of these specials they were jointly nominated for a Scottish BAFTA in the category of Best Performance.

“The most consistently exciting force in British magic” DERREN BROWN “A triumph of astonishing illusions, inventive technology and unexpected frights... Their finest show to date ... a true celebration of unique misdirection and imaginative magic, unlike anything else at the Fringe” ★★★★★TIME OUT www.barryandstuart.com £13 (£11 concessions) Age Guidance: 14+

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Length: 2 x 45mins

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box office: 01234 269519

Friday 22nd July 7.00pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

SPACE

Nose2Nose Theatre Company.

Timothy Mann’s ‘SPACE’ is a highly interactive, massively physical one-man show. Hilarious and heart-breaking, and packed with lots of characters and improvisation, this comedy-tragedy takes you on a wild ride through a fantastical tale about the ‘space’ around us. The audience are vital, as they physically and emotionally become a part of the action.

‘SPACE’ has travelled all over the world, always changing, constantly re-written. No two shows are ever the same. Come and get involved in a totally interactive experience – full of crazy characters, outrageous spectacle, improvisation run riot, and always asking YOU, the audience what is ‘SPACE’?

“Superb performance. Thanks for the treat” Kala Academy, Goa, India “...clever and poignant, funny and moving.” Western Academy of Beijing, China “...a really fantastically energetic, hilariously clever and completely ridiculous performance.” UWC, Mahindra College, India www.whatisspace.co.uk

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 60mins

Friday 22nd July 7.00pm

An Army Of Lights

Venue: South Bank Arts Centre (Studio Theatre)

NME Breakthrough band and BBC/National radio play.

“An imposing 4 piece: think the Futureheads fronted by Turin Brakes or Mystery Jets” NME “A clean cut Midlands four piece that produce tight, snappy indie songs sure to get your feet shuffling” NME “..turns out it’s guitar pop of the highest order” BBC Introducing With upcoming Single releases in April & June, radio play and shows throughout the UK including festival appearances in the summer, 2011 is set to be a busy year for Northampton based An Army of Lights. Catch them at this one-off show as part of the Bedfringe 2011 festival.

To hear tracks and for the latest news visit: www.anarmyoflights.co.uk www.facebook.com/anarmyoflights

£5 Length: 90mins

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Saturday 23rd July 2.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

The King’s Got Donkey’s Ears Theatre Of Widdershins EARS! Funny things at the best of times…. But imagine being cursed with great big, furry ones! That’s exactly what happened to King Orik. This tale of mythical mayhem and asinine antics is lovingly retold using puppetry, storytelling and original music. (It’s not Greek Tragedy!) Suitable for everyone aged 4 and up.

“What a Fringe gem this turned out to be. Puppeteer Andy Lawrence is a born storyteller engaging the audience with playful banter in between the narrative, while his puppets are full of character.” ★★★★★ THE LIST ★★★★★ THREE WEEKS www.theatre-of-widdershins.co.uk

£7 (£5 concessions) Age Guidance: 4+

Saturday 23rd July 4.30pm

Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’

Length: 50mins

Venue: The Place Theatre

The culture conspiracy A cheeky look at the classic tale of a pretty young girl, a handsome older man and a not-terribly-attractive housekeeper.

While staying in Monte Carlo our heroine meets Maxim de Winter, owner of the vast Cornish mansion Manderley. When the naive young lady returns to this estate with Mr de Winter (following a somewhat whirlwind romance) she finds herself living under the shadow of her dead predecessor Rebecca.

In one hour, the culture conspiracy theatre company navigates the intricacies of the original story in much the same way as an elephant would perform Swan Lake.

Stars: Geof Elgie | Colin James | Helen Manners | Jools O’Reilly | Ian Renshaw | Emma Starr | Claudia Webb.

£7 (£5 concession) Length: 60mins

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Saturday 23rd July 7.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

Kevin Tomlinson: ON THE EDGE

A comedy theatre show that explores all those moments in life when we are on the edge.

Fresh from a sell out world tour to Canada, America, New Zealand and Norway! This wonderful comedy theatre show explores all those moments in life when we are “on the edge”. Falling in love, leaving home, getting a job, bungee jumping, you name it, this show explores it!

Garnering 5 star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival, On the Edge had a sell out run and received a standing ovation on the last night.

Essentially a comedy – with touching moments in it – On the Edge has been seen at over 200 venues across the UK. Kevin Tomlinson and Abi Hood (actress from The Bill) take suggestions from the audience and then improvise amusing or touching scenes, based on these ideas. Masks, puppetry and even a slide show are sometimes included in this show that has received 5 star reviews, wherever it has been seen. The BBC are now looking at turning it into a TV show.

“The British performer put on an excellent show....this is a must see show !” ★★★★★SOUTHLAND TIMES, NZ “He reminds me of a young Robin Williams” PARAMOUNT COMEDY CHANNEL “He creates magical comedy theatre” CRITICS CHOICE: THE HERALD ★★★★★THREE WEEKS ★★★★THE INDEPENDENT “An improvisational show which can be funny one minute and poignant the next” ★★★★THE SCOTSMAN www.kevintomlinson.co.uk

£8.50 (£6.50 concessions) Age Guidance: 10+

Length: 2x45mins +15min interval

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Saturday 23rd July 8.30pm (doors open 8pm)

Venue: The Ent Shed

Bedford Is Funny!

‘Comedy In Bed’ and Bedfringe gives you a great night of stand up comedy A stand up comedy night featuring comedians who are either from Bedford, have lived or worked in Bedford or have a strong connection with the area.

The show features the excellent PAUL RICKETS (“really very funny” THE GUARDIAN), local celebrity DAN MEESE, MC PAUL REVILL and a host of special guests.

This event is co promoted by: www.comedyinbed.co.uk

£8 (no concessions) Length: 120mins + interval

Sunday 24th July Events start at 2.30pm

Mark Steinhardt

Free Fringe Sunday

Not all storytelling is for children.

Not all stories end happy ever after.

Come along, sit back with a drink and let Mark Steinhardt tell you some grown-up fairy-free stories.

Just mouth to ear, some tales of the just-possible, the almost-true and a few evocative props. That's all.

Mark Steinhardt is a well-known Bedford based storyteller who recently published ‘Murder in Flitwick Wood’.

Starts 2.30pm

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Makoto Inoue: RICHARD

WINNER: 2011 Inspiration Award, Prague Fringe Festival Neo Japanesque Mime Art! A new approach to William Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’. Using traditional Japanese dance fused with modern Western European street styles this is the first mime show of its kind.

“He certainly masters this powerful technique… a fantastic dancer, actor, theatre maker and performer in one”. ★★★★★ FRINGE REVIEW: RATED OUSTANDING SHOW www.makotoino.com Starts 4.00pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

The Ouse Valley Singles Club

Heralding from the historic market town of Bedford, The Ouse Valley Singles club is a singles club with a difference.

The audience are invited for one night only to be honorary members and take advantage of the excellent advice from the host Andy who bares the scars of his many years on the single scene. Featuring Andrew Barron and Amy Martell. myspace.com/theousevalleysinglesclub Starts 5.30pm

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box office: 01234 269519

Monday 25th July 7.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

The Memory Of Water Straight Laced Productions Bedford based ‘Straight Laced Productions’ brings a fresh young approach to Shelagh Stephenson's Olivier Award winning script.

Three sisters come together on the eve of their mother’s funeral, each haunted by their own demons. As the women get together after years of separation, the secrets and lies of their pasts begin to bubble to the surface. But could the truth each one of them craves do more harm than good?

Warning this show contains vivid shirts, loud noises, shoulder pads and partial nudity.

Promises to be unforgettable. thMemoryofWater

£7.50 (£6.50 concessions) in association with Abusivearts.co.uk

Length: 105mins + 15min interval

Tuesday 26th July 7.30pm

Venue: The Place Theatre

The Great Brain Robbery Five Adults who should know better! We don’t know how else to say it.

You will see us don wigs, put on voices and deliver songs and sketches in a classic way, that we hope will make you laugh, smile and occasionally not believe your ears. It’s not rocket science. We don’t even do a sketch about rocket science. Though we did once do a sketch about NASA. Not for kids or ‘the sensitive’.

“A five-piece troupe with some clever ideas and neat punchlines....they are certainly ones to watch” SPOONFED The Great Brain Robbery is a live comedy sketch show choc full of silly sketches and songs. www.greatbrainrobbery.com

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Age Guidance: 14+

Length: 60mins

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bedfringe.com Wednesday 27th July 7.30pm

Bravo Mr. Lancaster

Future Legend Theatre Company “A miracle Mr Lancaster why should I grant you one of those?” Saint Peter is on the attack and Joseph has to defend himself. He needs help – so will he win or will he loose?

From the producers of the Bedfringe 2010 sell out show and Edinburgh Fringe 2010 hit thriller ‘The Glenn Miller Mystery’ (now on a UK Tour) comes the trial of world famous teacher Joseph Lancaster; don’t miss this compelling 2011 drama starring Tony Phillips and Richard Mann.

Glenn Miller Mystery press: “Totally outstanding writing performed by two accomplished actors” PAUL ROSS “Well crafted and well polished… makes you think about one of life’s unsolved mysteries” THE PUBLIC REVIEWS “Is sure to set one of those conspiracy theorists raking through their files again” RECOMMENDED SHOW: FRINGE REVIEW “An intriguing proposition that is well executed… entertains on a highly satisfactory level” ALL THE FESTIVALS www.futurelegend.co.uk

Thursday 28th July 7.00pm

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 55mins

Venue: Corn Exchange

Potted Potter: The Unauthorised Harry Experience

A Parody by Dan and Jeff Nominated: Best Entertainment Olivier Award All seven Harry Potter books in seventy minutes. Watch CBBC’s Dan and Jeff take on the ultimate challenge, with the help of endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props, and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters, a special appearance from a very frightening fire-breathing dragon, and even a game of Quidditch involving the audience!

Dan and Jeff are best known for their TV appearances on CBBC and Blue Peter.

“A fabulously funny parody, with serious Jeff taking the Ernie Wise role and silly Dan as a latterday Eric Morecambe.” DAILY TELEGRAPH www.pottedpotter.com.

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£10 (£9 concessions) Length: 75mins

Thursday 28th July 7.30pm

The Diaries Of Adam & Eve

A Dyad Production. By Mark Twain, adapted by Elton Townend Jones. Directed by Guy Masterson.

One of you wants to get things done, the other wants to chill out in the garden. One of you wants a minute’s peace, the other wants to talk (and talk and talk). One of you likes things the way they are, the other wants a project. One of you knows that eating that apple is wrong, the other is going to eat it, come what may…

Relationships shouldn’t work, but somehow they do – so who did the groundwork?

In this witty and modern adaptation of Mark Twain’s affectionate satire, Adam & Eve – the world’s first couple – confront their many differences to find a successful way of living and loving together. What they discover on the way will be both familiar and funny to anyone who has ever experienced a close relationship. Tempted?

Performed by Rebecca Vaughan (‘I, Elizabeth’, ‘Austen’s Women’) and Elton Townend Jones. www.dyadproductions.com

Friday 29th July 7.00pm

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Co.

The stars of BBC3’s Comedy Shuffle, MTV, GMTV, 4 whole seconds on The Culture Show – and now BBC1’s The One Show – bring you a brand new show of songs, sketches, socks and violence.

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre are a comedy double act who have been compared, favourably, to Morecambe & Wise and Abbott & Costello, with a contemporary style which has seen them featured on shows as diverse as The Culture Show, The One Show, and Big Brother’s Little Brother.

Their songs and sketches, which are regular hits on YouTube as well as knockouts live, include such satires on modern life as The Facebook Song, Vuvuzela and Swine Flu, and their versions of films, TV and plays from Star Wars to Downton Abbey.

BEST SHOW Nominee – Leicester Comedy Festival 2009 Sellout Edinburgh Festival 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 “Endlessly barmy” THE INDEPENDENT (Ten Best Comedy Gigs Jan 2011) Age Guidance: 15+ www.comicfestival.co.uk

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre Photo credit: Ben Guest

bedfringe.com

£7.50 (£6.50 concessions) Length: 75mins

Venue: The Place Theatre

£7.50 (£5.50 concession) Length: 60mins

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bedfringe.com Friday 29th July 8.30pm

Bane III

White Bone Productions If you’re coming to Bedfringe... don’t miss this show! Director’s Choice.

Hired hand Bruce Bane steps out in the latest instalment of Joe Bone’s high-octane one-man film noir parody. And this time he’s shooting first and asking questions later.

Playing all the parts (and then some!), Joe Bone brings this quick-fire comedy to boiling point with just his body, his voice and a live guitar soundtrack from one-man Morricone, Ben Roe. Pulp Fiction on nitrous oxide!

NOMINATED: Best Male Off West End Awards 2011 NOMINATED: Best Play London Festival Fringe 2011 NOMINATED: Most Promising New Playwright Off West End Awards 2011 “A brilliant hour of comedy theatre... widescreen thrill with zero props.” THE GUARDIAN. “This is a fast talking, quick moving, smart thinking little gem of a show” THE SCOTSMAN. “Bane is back and better than ever!” THE STAGE. “Whether or not you know your Blue Dahlia from your Sunset Boulevard, this show takes the grim world of film noir and suffuses it with infectious joy.” ★★★★ WHAT’S ON STAGE. Age Guidance: 13+ www.whiteboneproductions.com

Saturday 30th July 1.00pm

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 60mins

Venue: The Place Theatre

Kinetic Vibes Kinetic Vibes are the leading dance academy in Bedfordshire, (established for over 13 years) and choreographed by Kiersten Theakstone. They run a range of dance classes: ballet, tap, modern, street dance, zumba and first stepsas well as running private classes, holding dance parties and teaching first wedding dances. If you are looking for professional dancers for an event or production then we also have a professional crew.

Their new show is a family dance spectacular and will be a mix of ballet, tap, modern, street and aerobic. www.kineticvibes.com

£5 (£4 concessions) Length: 45mins

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bedfringe.com Saturday 30th July 2.30pm

Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You

Written and performed by Molly Naylor | Director and script development by: Yael Shavit | Music: The Middle Ones | Visuals: Max Naylor | Dramaturgy: Sarah Dickenson | Producer: Sarah Ellis | Supported and developed by Apples & Snakes | Funded by Arts Council England How does it feel to have your world blown apart?

Britain is booming and Molly moves to London from deepest Cornwall full of naive dreams, high hopes and on a quest to make her life just like the movies. Then on 7/7/2005, she finds herself on an underground train blown up by terrorists and her life is forced to take a different direction. Funny, frank and poetic; this is the true story of what happened next and how we put things back together after they’ve been blown apart. ★★★★THE DAILY TELEGRAPH | ★★★★THE METRO | ★★★★THE TIMES “Urgent, edgy, the poetry of young urban Britain” THE INDEPENDENT “Sensitively balanced between light and dark, humdrum and lyrical” THE LIST www.mollynaylor.com

Saturday 30th July 4.30pm

Famous & Divine: Fugitive Songs

box office: 01234 269519 Venue: The Place Theatre

£7.50 (£5.50 concessions) Length: 55mins

Venue: The Place Theatre

Two women appear on an empty stage, they are responding to the call of a piece of music.

Exploring the hidden secret and silenced areas of women’s lives, this new play seeks out the unspoken and inexpressible in the experience of being a woman in the 21st century. The story that emerges tells a tale that all women ‘know’ but don’t have the words to describe.

“When real life isn’t enough, that’s when songs get dangerous. We heard a song late one night, (whilst drinking gin and smoking viciously), calling us to the unlived life – we followed.”

Why do certain pieces of music seem to call out us at particular moments in our lives? www.famousanddivine.org

£7 (£5 concessions) Length: 55mins

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bedfringe.com

box office: 01234 269519

John Hegley:

Venue: The Place Theatre Photo: Jackie Stephano

Saturday 30th July 7.30pm

The Adventures of Monsieur Robinet

“Typically brilliant songs and stories about a Gallic small-town hero with a dog called Chirac” THE GUARDIAN Tales about a Frenchman with some unusual [but clean] habits, which include burying his dog’s kennel and his own luggage pieces. The stories appear alongside other new works, which include an address to aliens on the subject of transport a poem about a non-talking parrot and some animal impersonations with the aid of a handkerchief.

The audience are invited to sing along. But not to dance. Much.

Hegley is known as a poet and singer with a common and comedic touch, hence the quotation from THE OBSERVER, “Awesomely mundane” The poet Adrian Mitchell said of him: “Just because he is one of the funniest men alive, do not underestimate his dedicated gentleness.”

And THE LUTON NEWS said that his lyrics, “…quite often make little sense” www.johnhegley.co.uk

Saturday 30th July 8.45pm

Closing Party Feat.

Rebecca De Winter As we draw Bedfringe 2011 to a close, join us for a drink at the bar and a chat about our plans for 2012.

Rebecca De Winter’s sound fuses alternative pop with pure piano balladry. Her debut album is due for release in May/June 2011. The first music video for the song ‘Shy Bride’, a homage to the story of De Winter, has received great reviews. Rebecca has played the piano and flute since she was at school and even before then was singing and composing songs, winning the Bedfordshire Music Festival at the age of eight. www.rebeccadewintermusic.com

£7.50 (£6.50 concessions) Length: 70mins

Venue: The Place Theatre

FREE Length: 60+mins

More Bedfringe events online including Summertime Burlesque and the Bedford Busking Festival. Visit bedfringe.com for more details.

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bedfringe.com

Information

box office: 01234 269519

BUYING BEDFRINGE TICKETS All of our Bedfringe events are being sold through the Bedford Central Box Office system. However a number of tickets have been allocated at each Bedfringe venue (unless stated on their event entry). Please contact the venue if the central system has sold out.

ONLINE: bedfringe.com; book online 24-hours a day, seven days a week starting from May 1st.

IN PERSON: At the Bedford Central Box Office: Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm Saturday 10.00am - 2.00pm OVER THE PHONE: Bedfringe box office hotline: 01234 269519 LATEST UPDATES: All information in this brochure was accurate at time of print but things can change, extra events are added, reviews are published and tweets are a plenty! Visit bedfringe.com for all the latest updates.

CONTACT US: For any festival enquiries please email admin@bedfringe.com. If you wish to contact any of our festival staff replace the 'admin' with the first name of the particular person you wish to get in touch with.

Terms & Conditions: For Bedford Central Box Office booking fees please visit www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk or call 01234 344813 (admin line).

The Bedfringe programme is subject to change so please visit our website or call the Bedfringe box office for all our latest updates. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded except in the event of a show cancellation. Latecomers may not be admitted. General concession prices are applicable to students, the unemployed, customers with disabilities (often with one helper), over-60s and children under the age of 16. Proof of status may be required at the venue.

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The Place Theatre Bedford Corn Exchange/Howard Room.

The Ent Shed South Bank Arts Centre Bedford School Theatre Russell Park Club Bedford Busking Festival

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box office: 01234 269519

Bedfringe in a nutshell

Date Friday 15 July Friday 15 July Friday 15 July Saturday 16 July Saturday 16 July Saturday 16 July Sunday 17 July Sunday 17 July Sunday 17 July Sunday 17 July Monday 18 July Tuesday 19 July Wed 20 July Thursday 21 July Thursday 21 July Friday 22 July Friday 22 July Friday 22 July Saturday 23 July Saturday 23 July Saturday 23 July Saturday 23 July Sunday 24 July Sunday 24 July Sunday 24 July Monday 25 July Tuesday 26 July Wed 27 July Thursday 28 July Thursday 28 July Friday 29 July Friday 29 July Saturday 30 July Saturday 30 July Saturday 30 July Saturday 30 July Saturday 30 July

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Show Driving Miss Daisy Matt Kirshen & Kerry Godliman Tim FiztHigham: Gentleman Adventurer The Event The Rather Ridiculous Experiment!

Simon Munnery: Hats Off To The 101ers The Starstruck Revue Hold Spitfire Solo The BIG Dance @ Bedfringe Bedfringe Five… Live! Feat.

Priorité à Gauche Luke Toulson: Fear, Love & Other Monkeys Pip Utton is: Charles Dickens Patrick Monahan: Touch Me, I Feel Good Phil Nichol & Stephen Carlin Barry and Stuart Live!

SPACE An Army Of Lights The King’s Got Donkey’s Ears Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ Kevin Tomlinson: ON THE EDGE Bedford Is Funny!

Mark Steinhardt Makoto Inoue: RICHARD The Ouse Valley Singles Club The Memory Of Water The Great Brain Robbery Bravo Mr. Lancaster Potted Potter: The Unautorised Harry Experience The Diaries Of Adam & Eve The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Co. Bane III Kinetic Vibes Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You Famous & Devine: Fugitive Songs John Hegley: The Adventures of Monsieur Robinet Closing Party Feat. Rebecca De Winter

Venue The Place Theatre The Ent Shed Bedford School Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre South Bank Arts Centre

Time Page 7.30pm 4 8.30pm 4 7.30pm 5 2.30pm 5 4.30pm 6 7.30pm 6 2.30pm 7 4.30pm 7 7.00pm 8 7.00pm 8

Howard Room The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Ent Shed Corn Exchange The Place Theatre South Bank Arts Centre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Ent Shed The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.00pm 8.30pm 8.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 2.30pm 4.30pm 7.30pm 8.30pm 2.30pm 4.00pm 5.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

Corn Exchange The Place Theatre

7.00pm 18 7.30pm 19

The Place Theatre The Place Theatre The Place Theatre

7.00pm 19 8.30pm 20 1.00pm 20

The Place Theatre The Place Theatre

2.30pm 21 4.30pm 21

The Place Theatre The Place Theatre

7.30pm 22 8.45pm 22

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Bedfringe brochure produced by LG Digital Limited, 1 Union Park, Triumph Way, Kempston MK42 7QB Tel: 01234 843900