Welcome to the 11th annual Bedford Festival Fringe… 2.5 days hosting over 40 events, under one roof!
Director’s Introduction
So… the first thing you might have noticed about this year’s festival is that it’s a short one. Back in 2010 we ran a weekend festival as I was taking a show to Edinburgh and there simply isn’t time to organise a full length Bedfringe when you are taking a show to Edfringe
This year I’m not taking a show to Edinburgh but I do have an extra member of the family! I thought that it might be best to run a weekend festival whilst I settle into my very important role of father I’m also getting married on the 4th August…
and family
That all being said, I have done the typical ‘cram as much stuff in as possible’. So in the three venues (Main Auditorium, Studio Theatre and Garden Stage) there will be approximately 45 events plus a recent display of photos from Steve Best (who is also doing a show with a Q&A session) in the theatre Gallery.
Director’s Picks this year are Daniel Simonsen’s: I’m Working On It (a unique chance to catch him whilst he is in the UK) and Goodbear (two hand sketch comedy) One to watch shows are Murder She Didn’t Write and Will Seaward Discovers El Dorado.
As it was such a success last year, LCH Productions and Remedy Sound we have put a stage in the garden once again so please do enjoy the free fringe events that have been programmed (dance, theatre & live music!) but we do ask you to pay what you think (the artists need to eat!) There will be a donation bucket on the stage for you to drop some coins into!
Good things in small packages and all that…
“The best things come in small packages,” my five foot, two inch mother always tells me, and nothing can be truer than this years Bedfringe
You can however, expect to see Bedfringe friends and favourites Patrick Monahan, Ivo Graham, Pete Firman, and Marcel Lucont
This year also sees the return of our free outdoor stage, hosting a number of music and poetry acts throughout the festival.
So pop in, have a drink and enjoy a (hopefully glorious) summers eve with us; see a show, take a punt and enjoy
James
Bedfringe Team
Director James Pharaoh
Co-Director Fiona Fowler
Assistant Director & Social Media .....Lily Hannant
Theatre Technician ...........................Amy Jonas
Additional thanks to: Bedford School, The Harpur Trust, Susan & Harry Fowler, Jacquie Manners, Sandra Dudley, Erica Roffe, Caryl Jones, Vanessa Mason and to all of our 2017 front of house and technical teams
Front of House (at time of going to print): Hywel Thomas, Helena Marsh, Alex Monks, Theo Green, Alice Wright, Dan Nickolls, Oliver Milton, James Mann, James Doughty, Mark Steinhardt, David Baxter, Jackie Thomas, Joshua Nethersole, Annette Hickey, Conrad Staroscik, Helena Prettyman, Bekki Short, Logan Jones, Bethan Tomas, Jonny Hosking and Ian Christie.
how to fringe
Take
a punt
First things first… have a look through our brochure and see what takes your fancy Remember, Bedfringe is all about discovering new experiences and new work.
Every year we see many of our artists go onto big things, so be the first to see them here!
Please note: The programme is subject to change so please check the website for all updates.
Age suitability: The age ratings are there to try to help you gauge appeal. It’s not a legal restriction. All events are self rated. Bedfringe is not liable for any incorrect rating.
Booking tickets: This year tickets for our events can be purchased online at www.bedfringe.com
Terms & Conditions: The Bedfringe programme is subject to change so please visit our website for all our latest updates Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded except in the event of a show cancellation or a show being re-scheduled Latecomers may not be admitted General concession prices are applicable to students, the unemployed, people with disabilities (often with one helper), over-60s and children under the age of 16 (Except children’s shows) Proof of status may be required at the venue Please note that some shows may start late or over-run the planned running time Full terms & conditions are presented at time of purchase
box office: 01234 362337 www
Box office opening times: The Quarry Theatre phone line will be manned 10am – 10.00pm during the festival For other Quarry opening times, please visit the theatre website. Please leave a message if the call is not answered and a member of staff at the venue will get back to you The box office telephone number is 01234 362337.
Social: Follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Use #bedfringe to tag your comments
Go straight to the Bedfringe website (scan QRcode)
The Quarry Theatre has wheelchair access and parking provision for wheelchair users Please contact the venue if you require disabled parking during your visit.
/bedfringe @bedfringe
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
The venues
Venue 1: The Quarr y Theatre at St Luke’s 26 St Peter’s Street, Bedford, MK40 2NN www.quarr ytheatre.org.uk
Venue 1: Main Auditorium
Venue 2: The Studio Theatre
Venue 3: The Quarr y Theatre Galler y Venue 4: The Garden Stage
children’s theatre
SESKA: FRUIT SALAD!
when SESKA comes to town, kids laugh out loud, Dads f*rt out loud and mums faint at his feet!
This show contains magic, mayhem and happiness nominated Best Family Show Brighton Fringe 2015
“My kids loved him”
www
Jonathon Ross “Buy tickets quick – he sells out fast!”
“Seska’s infectious, quick-fire energy means that even the most fidgety of children will be spellbound for 45 minutes of silliness’’ Broadway Baby NOMINATED BEST FAMILY SHOW BRIGHTON FRINGE 2015
wes Zaharuk has a worldwide reputation for a tornadolike approach to comedy, surreal feats and an eccentric collection of eye-popping prop tricks He is a one-man tour de force, known to combine routines with power tools, bananas and film noir.
Perfectly Bananas received five star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival and picked up a 2013 Buxton Fringe Award for Best Comedy (Individual).
“Twin Peaks meets Cirque Du Soleil simply amazing” Toronto Sun
“Zaharuk is mad as a box of badgers” Graeme Bright
Fernando’s rickety hotel is under threat from the pesky Property Developer Can you help? Come check-in and expect a feast of physical slapstick and colourful characters that will make you laugh your socks off Featuring acclaimed Character Comedians Jody Kamali and Jo neary “Hilarious, inventive and loads of fun! I loved this show” Andy Day, Cbeebies
Join Mole, Ratty, Badger and their ever excitable friend Toad, as they go on adventures along the riverbank and through the countryside not everything in the wilde wood is as it should be though Soon they discover a terrible plot from the Chief weasel to take Toad Hall all for himself. In order to stop him, they’ll have to work together to stop the villainous weasels from taking control!
Filled with larger than life puppets, songs, dances, interactive sets and a huge heap of adventure, ‘wind in the willows’ is sure to delight and entertain audiences of all ages
“A thoughtful, funny, child friendly adaptation of this classic story Pitched at the perfect level for its audiences whilst there being plenty of subtle adult humour for the parents Well worth a watch’” The Ferrers, Rushden
The Best Of Castle Comedy Special is returning to Bedfringe on July 23rd Once again three of the biggest comedy stars from the UK comedy circuit will be taking the stage for the ultimate comedy show
Opening the show is Sara Pascoe. She is charming, smart, extremely funny and one of th most in demand comedians on the UK comedy circuit She received a Foster’s Edinburgh Com Award nomination for Best Comedy Show 2014
She is the star of ‘Mock the week’, ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Twenty Twelve’ and Taskmaster She has also appeared on ‘QI’ and ‘Have I got news for You’.
“Always clever and sometimes exquisite” The Independent next up is Ian Stone The Independent ranks him amongst the top ten stand-ups in Britain! He is one of the most talented topical acts in the country and a regular on television screens Ian is the star of BT Sports ‘The
DANIEL SIMONSEN:
WORKING ON IT
work in progress show from the norwegian comic and Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best newcomer
Currently residing in new York City, this is a rare opportunity to catch one of Simonsen’s shows this year
As seen on “Russell Howard’s Good news” and “House of Fools”
“One of the most compelling voices of the moment” Independent
“Funny before he even opened his mouth” Scotsman “Creepily brilliant” Fabulous Magazine HHHH Time Out HHHH Times
BEDFRINGE DIRECTOR’S PICK
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
Saturday July 22 – 5pm 60min
comedy
otball’s On’ and presents y5’s topical show ‘Comedy gmouths’ He has also ppeared on ‘nevermind the Buzzcoks’ and ‘Live at the Comedy Store’
“Seriously funny” The Guardian
Hal Cruttenden will close the show He is one of the top comedians working in the UK today, as well as eing a highly accomplished writer and actor He has hosted Live at the Apollo! Performed twice at The Royal Variety Performance, appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Have I Got news
£15
MAIn
For You, has his own Radio 4 sitcom ‘Hal’, won Celebrity Pointless and is frequently seen on ‘Great British Bake Off – Extra Slice’.
“He’ll make you laugh…..a lot!’” HHHHDaily Mirror
Sunday July 23 – 8.30pm 120min+interval
comedy
EAMONN FLEMING: CONFABULATION!
A comedy about memory and making stuff up
Every act of remembering is an act of storytelling. So here’s mine
It starts with a spotty teenager at a Motorhead gig and ends up at the cutting edge of Memory research
The bellowing fans, the smell of beer and sweat, the thunderous music when I think back, it’s all so vivid – it’s all completely made up Join me, Eamonn Fleming, writer, performer and ‘O’ level Biologist (Grade C), as I stumble through the amazing world of Memory Palaces, False Memories and werther’s Originals Slides will be projected (old school), sweets will be handed out (if you’re lucky) and a guitar might be played (if you’re not).
FUNMBI OMOTAYO: WORK IN PROGRESS
As seen on ‘The Premier League Show’, ‘Play To The whistle’ and ‘The John Bishop Show’, Funmbi Omotayo road tests material for his new show at Bedfringe 2017! Funmbi Omotayo’s friendly, instantly likeable style won him the award for Best newcomer at the Black Entertainment Comedy Awards He has since gone on to win the prestigious Leicester Square new Act of the Year competition in 2012; shortly after becoming joint winner of Amused Moose’s Laugh Off Competition in the same year Gently paced stories and anecdotes are delivered warmly and confidently from this relative newcomer.
COnFABULATIOn! is a funny and startling show about not being able to trust a single thing you remember about your past.
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 12yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 6.30pm 60min
“A charming young comic he’s got the jokes to back up his charm Soon, he could be playing to thousands” Time Out
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
14yrs+
Friday July 21 – 6.00pm 60min
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
comedy
GEOFF NORCOTT: RIGHT LEANING BUT WELL MEANING
The correspondent for BBC2’s The Mash Report, as seen on Question Time (BBC1), Edinburgh nights & The Daily Politics (BBC2), returns following his sell-out run at the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe writer for Alternative Election (Channel 4), 8 Out Of 10 Cats (Channel 4), A League Of Their Own (Sky 1), The Sarah Millican Television Programme (BBC2) and Live At The Apollo (BBC1). Geoff has also been tour support for Katherine Ryan and Kevin Bridges
“Norcott is an absolute tonic” HHHH The Telegraph “Objectively funny regardless of your political leaning” HHHH Fest
“Funny, sharp and well-polished” HHHH The List “Comedian with a big future” HHHH Mirror
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 8.30pm 60min
IVO GRAHAM –EDUCATED GUESS (WORK IN PROGRESS)
After two blissfully happy summers at Bedfringe, Graham’s jumping on an advance-booked East Midlands Train and coming back to make it three in a row How much has he learnt? And what good has it done him? A show about privilege-checking by a chap with more privilege to check than most and a show about self-improvement by a chap whose intellectual peak was Latin GCSE
As seen/heard on Mock The week, Live At The Apollo, As Yet Untitled, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, Fighting Talk, The now Show.
“Honed to within a whisker of perfection a joyous show” Evening Standard
“Sharp punchlines, topper gags and the unmistakable sense of a young comic finding another gear” The Scotsman
“Like Hugh Grant’s less well-adjusted younger brother” The Guardian
£9.50 (£8.50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Saturday July 23 – 3.00pm 60min
GOODBEAR
Critically acclaimed sketch duo Goodbear return to Bedford to preview their brand new show Join Joe Barnes and Henry Perryment as they guide you through a strange and mysterious hotel, inhabited by all manner of hilarious and extraordinary characters.
“A hilarity that deserves to be experienced”
HHHHH EdFest Magazine
“Very funny” HHHHTelegraph
“Slick, classy performances Ones to watch for sure”
HHHH Chortle
“Excellent’ Edinburgh 2016: The Shows we recommend” The Guardian
“The duo keep the laughs coming thick and fast” Fringe 2016:
“Five Shows Not to Miss” The Week
BEDFRINGE DIRECTOR’S PICK
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 7.00pm 60min
comedy
JIMMY MCGHIE: WORK IN PROGRESS
Jimmy’s debut appearance at Bedfringe!
“Clever, personal, hilarious extraordinarily good you really should see it” The Scotsman
“See him now before you have to queue around The O2” The Scotsman
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE 26
Friday July 21 – 9.00pm
JODY KAMALI: HOTEL YES PLEASE
need a room? why not check-in to Fernando’s shambolic Hotel.
A 5-star show in a 1-star hotel
Imagine if willy wonka ran a hotel and Fawlty Towers met Tripadvisor Expect a feast of physical character comedy from the Bristolian clown.
“Brilliant, original visual comedy” Harry Hill “There is a genuineness to Kamali’s performance which is inspiring” The Stage “An extremely talented comic, and completely, unfathomably ridiculous” Nouse
£9 (£8 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM 26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
Friday July 21 – 6.00pm
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
JOHN HASTINGS: AUDACITY
John Hastings returns to Bedfringe with his brand-new show!
John Hastings is working through a lot. He is in love. So that’s something
BBC 3’s John Hastings, the funniest white comedian from Canada, was briefly vegan and is currently in love
An Amused Moose Comedy Award-nominated comedian, he is here to confront his fear of confrontation and prove that love starts in the toilet (not that kind, you yucky idiots)
“This fast growing comic is a pleasure to watch” The Times
“His act is packed with observations and wit that will stay with you in a good way” ★★★★★ The Mirror
The finest flâneur brings a new interactive show to the baying masses. A kind of self-help group where everyone potentially leaves more depressed. Expect louche musings, deadpan wit and Gallic superiority
As seen on BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and Sky Atlantic’s Set List winner: Chortle Award 2015
winner: Best Comedy – Fringe world 2013
“Who can resist Marcel Lucont?… pulling clever punchlines out of every interaction with his audience Sometimes, arrogance is bliss” HHHH The Scotsman
“Fresh, accessible and hilarious” The Guardian
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26
Sunday July 23 – 7.00pm 60min
comedy
JULIETTE BURTON: BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Following total sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2015 and 2016, award-winning comedian Juliette Burton investigates the power of kindness in a brand new docu-comedy. At a time when most of us find it hard enough being kind to ourselves – let alone others – is being nice outdated? Or can we still connect and change lives for the better? Join Juliette for her one-woman revolution! would you #DareToBeKind?
As seen on The One Show (BBC One) & This Morning (ITV)
“Huge talent” ★★★★★ Daily Mirror
“Powerful” ★★★★★ Sunday Express
“Impressive” ★★★★★ Daily Record
“Entertainment with real social purpose” ★★★★ Broadway Baby
£9.50 (£8.50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 7.00pm 60min
comedy
NICK HALL: SPENCER
Spencer Percival has one claim to fame He’s the only British Prime Minister to ever be assassinated
Unfortunately, no one’s ever heard of him. 205 years later, comedian nick Hall tries to tell his story
But will he succeed?
As seen on BBC2, BBC3, and BBC Radio 4
“Side splittingly funny” ★★★★★ThreeWeeks
“Mad cap energy” ★★★★★British Comedy Guide
“Crackingly original” ★★★★ The List
“One not to miss” ★★★★ The Skinny
£9.50 (£8.50 concessions)
STUDIO
26
Saturday July 22 – 5.00pm 60min
PATRICK MONAHAN: REWIND SELECTOR 90s
A brand new stand-up show from multi award winning Patrick Monahan who compares life as an Irish/Iranian teenager in the 90s As identity cards and ‘Cool Britannia’ were being introduced, Monahan found himself on the periphery as a teenager – trying to blend in but ending up with all the other ethnic groups!
“His tales of being an immigrant to Britain are thoughtprovoking yet hilarious, he loves his audience and they love him back. Patrick is a Fringe Legend and it’s easy to see why”
HHHHThe Mirror
“He really hits the mark great depth”
HHHH Broadway Baby
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 13yrs+
Friday July 21 – 9.00pm 60min
PETE FIRMAN: WORK IN PROGRESS
The UK’s leading comedian/magician returns to Bedfringe with his critically acclaimed live show.
Recently seen on ITV1’s The next Great Magician and BBC1’s Let’s Sing & Dance for Comic Relief
Expect Pete’s trademark blend of crowd-pleasing comedy and jaw-dropping magic.
Other television appearances include BBC1’s The Magicians, BBC2’s The Sarah Millican Television Programme, BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and BBC1’s Celebrity Mastermind.
“The new poster-boy for British comedy magic” The Telegraph “The best magic tricks in the universe” The Independent “The man from Middlesbrough sets the pace for comedymeets-magic in the 21st century” The Times
£9.50 (£8.50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 9.00pm 60min
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
“Utter genius’”HHHH Broadway
PRINCES OF MAIN: NEW YEAR’S EVE
Princes of Main are hosting a new Year’s Eve party and boy, are they excited about it. There’s going to be confetti, music, romance, resolutions and disappointment Sure, it’s only July but frankly it’s been an awful year and its time for a reset
Join these millennial nightmares for the biggest, baddest, strangest party Bedford has ever seen.
“A recipe for comedic success’” HHHHH Young Perspective
“Fresh, crafty gags for Generation Y” Time Out “Formidable” Independent “Outstanding” The Telegraph
London SketchFest Finalists 2016 BEDFRINGE DIRECTOR’S ONE TO WATCH
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 16yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 1.00pm 55min
STEVE BEST: CLICKING COMEDIANS
Clicking Comedians is the comedic ramblings of stand-up comedian/photographer Steve Best, his trials and tribulations into the publishing world and a journey to who knows where Steve is a headline comedian and a damn fine photographer He has performed all over the world including South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bosnia, South Africa, Holland, Denmark, The Falkland Islands and Southend-on-Sea He plans to go further afield He has been on huge nationwide tours with Frank Skinner, Craig Charles and Omid Djalili He has been on TV (a few times)
Steve’s first book, COMEDY SnAPSHOT, a collection of his photographs of 427 comedians with their jokes and quirky facts, became an instant classic Its sequel, JOKER FACE will be published by Unbound and Penguin Random House this summer.
Praise for COMEDY SnAPSHOT: “It’s a book designed to be dipped in and out of at random – to plunge full-in would be like guzzling all your chocolate box at once; but each morsel is deliciously rich ” Chortle
Includes a 20 minute post show Q&A.
Ticket Prices: £8.50 (£7.50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 5.00pm 80min
SIMON MUNNERY RENEGADE PLUMBER: WORK IN PROGRESS
An opening to die for, seven wry observations, a tone poem, four fresh skits and two new commandments
Simon is a British Comedy Award nominee, Perrier Award nominee and Chortle Award winner
He’s a star of Comedy Central’s Alternative Comedy Experience - as seen on BBC2’s Culture Show and heard on Radio 4’s news Quiz, amongst others May contain adult themes and language
£9 50 (£8 50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Friday July 21 – 7.30pm 60min
comedy
WILL SEAWARD DISCOVERS EL DORADO
Intrepid comedian will Seaward is mounting an expedition to search for the ancient Lost City of El Dorado, rumoured to be covered in solid gold and thought to be located somewhere in the jungles of South America and he’s putting a team together
This show is his pitch
Fancy a spot of adventure?
Genuine danger?
The possibility of endless riches and eternal fame?
Then come and sign up!
Disclaimer: this is actually, genuinely happening
Second disclaimer: it’s also a show, and will certainly work as an amusing hour’s entertainment if giant anacondas and Mesoamerican ruins aren’t your thing
will Seaward makes regular appearances in the role of director at the Comedians’ Cinema Club
BEDFRINGE DIRECTOR’S PICK
£9.50 (£8.50 concessions)
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 13yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 3.00pm 60min
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
HERCULES: THE SUN OF THE GODS A STORY IN THE STARS
Hercules: demi-god; son of Zeus; slayer of monsters; hero.
Join the God-sun as we travel the skies and the ancient world on a quest to bring prosperity to the kingdoms of the Earth and stars
Over the last 4500 years many great civilizations have risen and fallen, each of them looked to the stars and planets to tell them more about the world they lived in This is a story about those people, about their heroes and monsters, gods, and villains, told through epic poetry and ancient ritual, we investigate the world of the early civilisations.
The work explores areas of ancient folk tradition, shamanistic style song and dance, ritual and theatre as lived experience
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 8yrs+
Friday July 21 – 7.00pm 50min
WAVING GOODBYE
“All those people who died young; you’ve got their life, you’ve got the chances they never had and what are you doing with it?”
waving Goodbye is an emotionally charged black comedy which asks fundamental questions about existence and our relationships with each other A play about the horrible choices we have to make every day Should we take risks or take the road most travelled?
Tree Shadow Theatre put out a call for new, contemporary scripts that explore big issues and what it is to be a young woman in today’s world This two-hander black comedy was the outright winner
After successful performances at the Phoenix Artist’s Club for the Camden Fringe, The Blake Theatre and the Cygnet Theatre, waving Goodbye has been redeveloped for a 2017 tour, starting with a sold out performance at the Bike Shed Theatre for the From Devon with Love Festival
£8 50 (£7 50 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 12yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 1.30pm 45min
MURDER SHE DIDN’T WRITE
Move over, Sherlock! In Degrees of Error’s Murder, She Didn’t write, YOU become the author and watch your very own Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece unfold on stage
Brace yourself for an evening of hilarity and
suspense as improvised theatre company, Degrees of Error, expertly combine the tension of a classic murder mystery with quick-witted improv, as killer jokes mingle with cold-blooded killers!
Recommended by Radio 2’s Steve Wright in the Afternoon “Unrestrained bursts of enjoyment”
HHHHH Bristol Theatre Review
“They are without exception hilarious, unique and original” HHHH Broadway Baby
“One of the funniest [evenings] you’ll have in quite some time” Ed Fringe Review
BEDFRINGE DIRECTOR’S ONE TO WATCH
£9 (£8 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 12yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 5.00pm 60min
WEBLIES 2K17
Produced by a collective of students from the University of Bedfordshires MA Performing Arts programme, weblies 2K17 investigates our relationship with all things social media
Join us on a journey from email to twitter.
The show is an immersive, interactive performance with virtual elements for all to enjoy
£9 (£8 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 16yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 3.10pm 70min
WILL SEAWARD’S GHOST STORIES IV
will Seaward's Spooky Ghost Stories IV
The ghosts are back! Run while you can! The fourth incarnation of will Seaward's legendary late-night torch-wielding vampireflavoured witch-shaped comedy storytelling spookstavaganza is coming to Bedford after three smash-hit runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! Oh no! Ghosts! Cobwebs! Ruined castles! Zombie dinosaurs! Skeletons! Ghouls! wailing! warning: May cause audience members to melt with fear.
“Part Brian Blessed, part Oscar Wilde a naturally funny fellow” The Telegraph
“Utterly absurd and belly-achingly funny”
★★★★★ Three Weeks
“Will Seaward makes pure comedy gold” ★★★★★ Fest
“The only real way to describe him is ‘legend’ leaves you open-mouthed with wonder” ★★★★★ The New Current
“I haven't stopped raving about it once”
★★★★★ TheatreFullStop
“Unlike anything you will ever have seen genuinely hilarious”
★★★★ Broadway Baby
“Utterly, utterly ludicrous, but delightful” ★★★★ One4Review
“Absurd and absolutely BRILLIANT”
★★★★ PhringePhantom
“It’s impossible not to love him...a master”
★★★ FringeReview
£9.50 (£8.50 concessions) STUDIO THEATRE 26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 9pm 60min
box office: 01234 362337 www bedfringe com
dance & physical theatre
STACEY CHARLES CHEERLEADERS
Cloud 9 Academy will be showing a range of different cheerleading styles and dance incorporating Tumbles, Jumps, stunts and choreography
Cloud 9 Academy offer cheerleading and dance classes in Bedfordshire! we aim to provide a fun, energetic and safe environment for all our students Our team is at the heart of all we do and here are some words from a few of our stars!
“Cheerleading with C9STARS has allowed me to meet new people and make friends for life C9STARS are like a second family and I love every training session” Paige Charles
“Starting C9Stars has built my confidence and the academy have allowed me to make new friends! I love our training sessions” Lilly-Mae Dawson
“Everyone at C9Academy is lovely and so welcoming! I have a lot more confidence and my skills have improved loads, I cant wait for more to come!” Ruby Stovell
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Saturday July 22 – 2.40pm 30min
our reactions to struggling in life
BLOSSOM & ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET?
Blossom focuses on how we blossom in our lives, respond to falls and change as people Patsy Izzard Company have worked closely with dancers to examine
How do we deal with this and do we make it out the other side as the same person?
‘Are we nearly there yet?’ is a beautiful, quirky, emotional insight into motherhood The attachment, the constant learning curve, the unconditional love, the sleepless nights, the early mornings and much, much more
Both performances, choreographed by Artistic Director Patsy Izzard, made their debut at the University of Bedfordshire, before being developed further for a their first full performance at Bedfringe.
£7 (£6 concessions)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
KINETIC VIBES DANCE ACADEMY
Kinetic Vibes return for their 10th Bedfringe performance!
“Here at Kinetic Vibes, we are passionate about dance and we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, professional and affordable dance classes for students in the Bedford area from aged 2-92 years!”
All ages
Sunday July 23 – 3.00pm 60min
£7.50 (£6.50 conc) £26 Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children)
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Saturday July 22 – 11.45am 60min
ZOE STAFFORD SCHOOL OF DANCE: DANCING THROUGH TIME
Come on a journey through time and dance with the Zoe Stafford School of Dance
An unfortunate time machine mishap transports us through history, dropping us off in different eras of the past and future to explore the music and dance of that time as we race to get back to the present But will we succeed in making it back to the present day?
The use of ballet, tap, modern and contemporary dance helps us to tell our tale of bygone times and a little glance into what our future world may look like. with music from some iconic musicians and performances from our dancers aged 6-18, there is something for everyone, old and young
The Zoe Stafford School of Dance are a small, Bedford based dance school for dancers from three years old to adults
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Saturday July 22 – 2.00pm 30min
ALIBI
Alibi are an acoustic duo from Bedford playing covers from all decades including a wide variety of genres
They have been playing together for over a year and are now regulars on the live music scene in Bedfordshire
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Sunday July 23 – 6.00pm 60min
MAT ROBERTS
Mat Roberts returns to the festival once again
Pull up a bench in the Quarry Garden and enjoy!
MARISA JACK AND DAVY
Marisa Straccia, Jack Sharp (founder member of well known UK psych folk-rock band wolf People) & Davy willis are a guitar and vocal trio
specialising in strange old British traditional music, mainly sourced from their local Bedfordshire area.
Their eclectic repertoire includes a song about trees, a song about a disastrous aristocratic wedding and a song about an eccentric farmer who ploughs his field with a team of rats!
In 2015 they started Mill Race Folk, atmospheric nights of beautiful acoustic folk concerts at Bromham Mill
The best folk musicians in the country have played there including Martin Carthy, Stick in wheel and wizz Jones. now The Place Theatre in Bedford is the new venue for these folk shows
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Sunday July 23 – 2.00pm 60min
MAXWELL, HAMMER & SMITH
Join us in the garden as Maxwell, Hammer & Smith close the 2017 festival!
The band cover songs from Queen, to Eagles, to Focus and Boston, Kansas, Steely Dan and are noted for the difficult songs they attempt as a three piece –many bands wouldn’t try
The band members have played all over the world and put all their musical knowledge and experience into their show
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Sunday July 23 – 12noon 60min
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 9.30pm 70min
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
SAVA CHARM
Sava Charm are an AngloPolish-Sri Lankan group based in Bedford. The band was formed in 2012 as a classical violin duo. Band members and instruments have (and continue to) constantly change as we explore new musical paths without getting lost too much. we have performed as a duo up to a quintet and have also been a backing band for choirs we are group of close friends who got together through study and teaching of music Our aim is to perform a very wide range of musical genres with the violin being the focal point for our own arrangements
Repertoire consist of classical music, traditional folk, film themes, pop, swing, soft jazz, techno and heavy rock
The band: Edyta Sawa, classical/electric violin, piano; Lucyna Ratajczyk, piano, recorder, vocal; Steve Batcup, bass guitar, drums, vocal; Stuart Smith, piano, cello, vocal; Shandy, drums/percussion, bass guitar.
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Saturday July 22 – 6.00pm 60min
SNORKEL PARKA: A NIGHT AT THE WINDSOCK
Snorkel Parka is a local singer and songwriter, his real name so mundane that even he has trouble remembering it
Upon reaching middle age, he was struck by the fact of his own mortality as commonly happens to men of his age and concluded he could deal with this realisation by one of two ways:
Buy a silly sports car and try to run off with a woman half his age
Adopt a retro sounding nom de plume, learn the trickier barre chords once and for all and attempt to deal with his feelings about his ever receding hairline through his guitar
Thankfully, for the young women of his town but to the aghast of local second hand car dealers, he chose the latter and started looking back into his own life and the town and times he was brought up in as inspiration for a collection of songs
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
SUNSINGER
Sunsinger, aka Simon Gutteridge, is a songwriter from Bedfordshire, based in good old Bedford town Expect altcountry, folk and Americana tinged songs with a hint of pop and tunes packed full of catchy melodies and soaring choruses
A disciple of Dylan, a believer of Buckley and fast running out of alliterations, a general fan of folk, his only aim is to lightly drizzle pleasant melodies unto your ears serving up foottapping ditties and wistful laments
Influences include Ryan Adams, Elbow, nick Drake, Beirut, Elliott Smith, the Decemberists, Gram Parsons, REM & Josh Ritter to name a few working towards his first proper release under the Sunsinger name (the first E.P. being under his old name Kid Charlemagne) recent support highlights include wolf People and Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen at Bedford Corn Exchange Currently recording, he hopes to have the first Sunsinger E P out next year
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Saturday July 22 – 12noon 60min
All ages
Saturday July 22 – 4.00pm 60min
music
SPACEGOAT
Born from several jam nights at local venues, an indie-pop band with classic song-writer vibes and a fun outlook on life Armed with an acoustic guitar, keyboard and three part harmonies their sound drifts anywhere from pop, rock, old classics and a cup of tea Taking a name for themselves that reflects their tongue-in-cheek attitude, Space Goat have a tendency to miss the point of biographies and unusual habit of speaking in the third person
Performing unplugged this Bedfringe in a four-piece format, Space Goat will offer the ideal backdrop to a sunny afternoon of drinking in the garden Expect renditions anywhere from Simon and Garfunkle, Fleetwood Mac, Toto, Cat Stevens and right up to Incubus, Tiao Cruz or Bastille; with a few originals thrown into the mix
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
All ages
Sunday July 23 – 8.00pm 60min
TKO: MANSPLAINING
Sparky TKO returns with his second fringe show, offering a poetic exploration into gender disparities in the west and beyond, how the priviliged can work to support this and just what exactly his obsession with his arch nemesis is all about
SPOILER: it started with a tongue-in-cheek slogan on a t-shirt
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE 26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 16yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 4.00pm 60min
YER BLUES BONES
Back for their 4th Bedfringe!
Yer Blues Bones play upbeat Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm & Blues Take tracks from blues masters such as Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Muddy waters and Howlin wolf and mix them with original Fleetwood
Mac, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and some lesser known Stones and Beatles to name but a few 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!
Yer Blues Bones are a three piece with Mart and Rich from the top tribute band ‘The Rolling Stones now’, who have gigged with amongst others; The Yardbirds, Geno washington, Art wood and Jimmy Cliff
They will also be joined by the legendary singer Tony Phillips who over the years has performed with the likes of Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley the Comets and The Searchers
£FREE (PAY wHAT YOU wAnT)
THE GARDEn STAGE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 14yrs+
Saturday July 22 – 8.00pm 60min
box office: 01234 362337
www bedfringe com
QUEEN OF KATWE
The special friendship between Bedfringe and film continues with Bedford Film Festival joining us for the fifth time this year and it’s something quite special on offer, Disney’s Queen of Katwe starring: Madina nalwanga, David Oyelowo and Lupita nyong’o
Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona (Madina nalwanga) and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches children how to play chess. Phiona becomes fascinated with the game
£7.50 (£6.50 concessions) £4 for under 12yrs
MAIn AUDITORIUM
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD PG
Sunday July 23 – 10.15am 124min
PLAY / TIME
Play / Time is a workshop that will give participants an opportunity to engage in spontaneous play in a spirit of conviviality, acceptance and joy.
Play is an essential part of human development that somehow gets lost as we grow older
Play enables us to engage with our inner sense of creativity and imagination, whilst engaging with others in a shared moment of fun
There are numerous evidences showing that nurturing a sense of play is essential for our mental well-being and our ability to build relationships with others
Play / Time provides a framework that enables participants to engage with others in spontaneous and improvised playfulness within safe and agreed boundaries
There is no agenda or expectations in Play / Time Participants learn to accept whatever emerges from the playful encounter with others Play / Time enables the creation of unique playful moments that produce laughter, wonder, magic and surprise
Play / Time does not require any specific skills other than a willingness to be playful!
The workshop is led by J F Jacques who is artistic director of Kempston Community Theatre that previously performed at Bedfringe in 2014 He is a performance maker interested in how play and playfulness help and support personal and community development.
and soon becomes a top player under Katende’s guidance Her success in local competitions and tournaments opens the door to a bright future and a golden chance to escape from a life of poverty
“Disney’s rags-to-riches tale of a Ugandan chess champion will leave you with a lump in your throat” HHHH The Guardian “An exceptional underdog sports story that breaks the rules Who knew an uplifting Disney chess movie could be so satisfying?” The Verge HHHH The Telegraph
The workshop is open to all regardless of abilities or background and can accommodate up to fifteen participants So book early to avoid disappointment
£5
STUDIO THEATRE
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD 16yrs+
Sunday July 23 – 1.15pm 70min
STEVE BEST: CLICKING COMEDIANS EXHIBITION
Clicking Comedians is an exhibition of Steve Best’s photographs of stand-up comedians, from the very new, the seasoned professional, to the downright famous
Steve Best’s many years on the comedy circuit has allowed him to build trust with some of the funniest people on earth
This exclusive access has given him an opportunity to take hundreds of intimate, deeply moving images
Steve’s first book, Comedy Snapshot, a collection of his photographs of 427 comedians with their jokes and quirky facts, became an instant classic Its sequel, Joker Face will be published by Unbound and Penguin Random House this summer
He is now working on his third book, Comedians Back To Front, a collection of fine art photographs of comedians back stage and front of stage Cameras: www fujifilm eu/uk
£Free (non-ticketed event)
THE GALLERY
26 ST PETER’S STREET, BEDFORD
Exhibition runs until July 23
All ages
All day
Sunday’s from 3pm to 5pm Mill Meadows Bandstand The Embankment, Bedford
The Summer Bandstand Concerts return to the Embankment Bandstand this July and August. Come along, bring the family and a picnic and enjoy two hours of traditional bandstand music...
8th July 2017Taste Bedford Gourmet & Street Food Festival with music, demonstrations & stalls
30th July 2017Bedford Saxaphone Workshop 6th August 2017The Heath Band
13th August 2017Leighton - Linslade Concert Band
20th August 2017Hitchin Band
27th August 2017Bedford Town Band
For more information, call 01234 718616 or visit www.bedfordevents.co.uk
