Welcome to Bedfringe
Bite Sized 2014
It’s summer time and another Bedfringe festival comes to Bedford.
We have scaled things down this year with just short of 20 exciting and varied events.
What is a Fringe Festival? I like to define it as a platform for new and exciting work covering as many genres of the performing arts as possible This year we see returning acts such as the newly-named Simply Soweto Encha (all the way from South Africa), The Ouse Valley Singles Club and my good friend Patrick Monahan.
Take a chance and see something you would never see… that’s what it’s all about
Remember good things do come in small packages!
James Pharaoh – Director
Director James Pharaoh
Co-Director ..........................Fiona Fowler
Technician .............................Dan Nickolls
Video Blogger .......................James Mann
Comedy Promoter ....................Paul Revill
Additional thanks to: Susan & Harry Fowler, Jacquie Manners, Erica Roffe, Mark Steinhardt and to all our venue managers, front-of-house and technical teams.
Come hear the noise, follow us on Facebook and Twitter or email us at: admin@bedfringe.com
facebook.com/bedfringe @bedfringe
2014 Sponsors
Woodfines Solicitors
Woodfines Solicitors are proud to be based in Bedford and provide a full range of legal services to both businesses and individuals Woodfines offers its clients practical advice and creative solutions to legal problems, and our refreshingly approachable lawyers are amongst the most experienced and capable in the region.
We also have offices in Sandy, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. For further information, please visit our website www woodfines co uk
We are excited to be supporting Bedfringe again in 2014
Portas Pilot Bedford
Bedford Portas Town Team consists of local businesses and community groups who were awarded £51,000 to help make Bedford better
The money has been used carefully to support events and activities, give start-up and pop-up grants and offer free training for town centre businesses.
The Bedford Town Team believes that Bedfringe is a great way to promote Bedford far and wide and so bring new people into the town centre.
2014 Venues
The Ent Shed, The Gordon Arms
118 Castle Road, Bedford MK40 3QY
Tel: Gordon Arms: 01234 348668
Tel: Castle Comedy events: 07736 060541
Bedford Theatre, Bedford School
De Parys Avenue, Bedford MK40 2TT
Tel: (Admin): 01234 362269 www bedfordtheatre co uk
The Place Theatre
Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE www.theplacebedford.org.uk
South Bank Arts Centre, Bedford College
Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AH
Tel: 01234 291000 www southbankarts com
Aysha Academy Trust
123 Midland Road, Bedford MK40 1DE
Tel: 01234 589176 www.ayshaacademy.org.uk
Buying Tickets
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!
Age suitability: The age ratings are there to try and help you gauge appeal It’s not a legal restriction All events are self rated Bedfringe is not liable for any incorrect rating
Where to buy tickets: Number 13 and Bedford Tourist Information Centre sell tickets for selected Bedfringe events
Alternatively you can buy tickets direct from the venue (see adjacent panel) or by going online at Bedfringe com
All venues have wheelchair access and some have parking for wheelchair users
Friday 4th July
7.30pm & 9.00pm
The Ghost Hunter
Theatre of The Damned
‘Do you know what they are, ghost stories? They’re a place to put things you ’ re too scared to look at any more ’
Dick runs a ghost tour, and he’s got a great story to tell It’s the one they all go home talking about. The headliner. It’s about a Ragged School in old York. About something terrible buried beneath the cobbles. It’s about the past It’s about ghosts And it’s about to catch up with him
Theatre of the Damned present a darkly comic one-man show by the team behind 2012 sell-out smash ‘The Horror! The Horror!’
“It’s a tribute to Stewart Pringle’s talent as a writer and thinker that I came out of Ghost Hunter both impressed and troubled, with my mind racing”
★★★★ WHATSONSTAGE
“A building, creeping tale of dread, expertly crafted and chillingly told”
★★★★ BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
“Jeffrey Mayhew’s direction is faultless Theatre of the Damned make sure they keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the final line” THE STAGE
Age Guidance: 14yrs+
Venue:
The Ent Shed
£8
Length: 60mins
Perform in style
with professional theatre space for hire
Trinity Arts & Leisure’s spacious and fully professional theatre makes for the ideal space to host dramatic productions and film screenings.
The theatre features up-to-date equipment including: Trinity
Wednesday 9th July
8.00pm
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Co.
Earth’s funniest footwear return with a brand new show of songs, sketches, socks and violence
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre are “The Abbott & Costello of the sock world” (TIME OUT) or “Filthy Wee Tykes” (THE SCOTSMAN). They’ve been called “the unparalleled pinnacle of comedy puppetry” (★★★★ VENUE MAGAZINE 2013), and now you’ll see why
After six sell-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe and international tours from Aberdeen to Adelaide (Pick Of The Fringe 2012), Manchester to Malta, Belfast to Birmingham and all points in-between, the Socks are bringing their new show, and the best of their favourite stuff once again to Bedfringe
“For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz –denier miss it” ★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN
“Had every single audience member laughing until they cried” ★★★★★ EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
Age Guidance: 14yrs+
Venue:
Length: 60mins
Thursday 10th July Venue:
8.15pm (Doors open 7.30pm)
Castle Comedy Bedfringe Special
Bedford’s No.1 Comedy Club.
Castle Comedy brings its brilliant club night to Bedfringe
Featuring a packed line up of five top comedians, it will be the ultimate comedy night out! Headlining the show is Katherine Ryan. Katherine is a sassy Canadian stand up, writer and actress. You will probably recognise her and that is hardly surprising - over the past few years she has enjoyed appearances on ‘Mock the Week’, ‘8 Out Of 10 Cats’, ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘QI’, ‘Episodes’ and recently she stormed ‘Live at the Apollo’!
“Tiny, pretty...with quite a dark, savage wit” THE LONDONIST
“A compelling act” THE LIST
“Warped wit...striking presence...killer lines...calm confidence” THE SCOTSMAN
Joining Katherine on the night will be a host of stand-up talent including Jimmy James Jones (“My new favourite comedian” TONY LAW) and Castle Comedy’s regular host Paul Revill (“Steals the show” ★★★★ THREE WEEKS)
Age Guidance: 14yrs+
Friday 11th July
Venue: 5.30pm
Songs from Soweto: An A Cappella Journey
Simply Soweto Encha
A fascinating documentary charting the remarkable journey of five a cappella singers from one of South Africa’s most notorious townships to the famous Edinburgh Fringe.
Simply Soweto Encha share experiences of post-apartheid generations of Soweto where old shack misery meets new opportunities, prosperity and hope Sponsored by the British High Commission, Pretoria
The screening of the film (co-produced and co-directed by Just Festival Edinburgh and Simply Soweto Encha) will be followed by a Q&A session with the group members as well as a ‘bite sized’ performance from their touring show which can be seen in its entirety during this year ’ s festival
With support from Bedford Film Festival
The Ent Shed
£5
Length: 65mins
Friday 11th July
The Ent Shed
Venue: 8.00pm
The Dark Room
BEDFRINGE DIRECTOR’S CHOICE
The Dark Room is the world’s only LIVE-ACTION VIDEO GAME It’s the audience vs The Evil Floating Head in a test of skill, wit and cunning Imagine a choose-your-own-adventure mixed with a pantomime and performed by a Commodore 64. It’s strange and insane and addictive there’s a £50 grand prize if you can beat the game and escape… THE DARK ROOM.
Performed by stand-up John Robertson, this is a surreal, incredible show for anyone who’s ever touched a video game, seen a video game, or has done neither of these things and is willing to be thoroughly disturbed
With fans including Ian Livingstone (creator of Fighting Fantasy), cult comic Brendon Burns, Jhonen Vasquez (Invader Zim) and Ron Gilbert (creator of Monkey Island), this is a cult classic in the making.
THE SKINNY
BROADWAY BABY
STEVE BENNETT, CHORTLE
★★★★ THE LIST
“Watching people tackle the challenge and fail is one of the funniest sights around. Don’t miss it.”
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
“One of Australia's Top Ten Young Comics” ZOO MAGAZINE
“Ridiculously entertaining” Kate Copstick, THE SCOTSMAN Age Guidance: 14yrs+
Length: 60mins
Saturday 12th July Sunday 13th July
Venue: 2.30pm, 8.00pm 2.30pm Bedford Theatre
Simply Soweto Encha
Simply Soweto Encha
Simply Soweto Encha, formerly known as African Entsha, is a five-piece a cappella group that sing gospel, soul, jazz, and R’n’B both in African and popular styles. In their shows, Simply Soweto Encha celebrate South African oral and dance traditions by performing Zulu, Xhosa, and Tswana songs, full of rhythm and harmonies
Described as ‘ very creative in combining the physical with the music,’ ‘ nonstop joyous irrepressible harmonies and rhythms’ and ‘ a sound sensation that uplifts and inspires,’ their performances have been awarded with numerous titles, including the Spirit of Edinburgh, Buxton Fringe, Brighton Fringe Best Performance Trigon Jazz Festival Best Vocal Group, Ethno Jazz Festival Best Performers, Festival of Stone Best Performers and many more.
“A sound sensation that uplifts and inspires” THE SCOTSMAN
“These singers from Soweto bring humour, emotion and spirit to the stage. Their smiles are so infectious; not only do they have a great time, they make sure the audience has an amazing time too”
THREE WEEKS
“Soweto Encha deliver a spine-tingling cover of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, effectively wiping the floor with the original” THE LIST
£10 (£8 concessions)
Length: 60mins
Wednesday 16th July Thursday 17th July
Venue: 7.30pm 7.30pm South Bank Arts Centre
The Canterbury Tales & Other Travelling Tales
Kempston Community Theatre
An original adaptation of (some of) the Canterbury Tales by Kempston Community Theatre. The performance, using masks and storytelling, involves real journeys across Bedford and takes place in two locations –one of which is in the open air The theme of journeys, the performance will give the audience a unique experience and introduction to tales based on real life stories.
facebook com/kempstoncommunitytheatre
Age Guidance: 16yrs+
£9 (£7 concessions)
Length: 90mins
Wednesday 16th July Thursday 17th July
Venue: 7.30pm 7.15pm Bedford Theatre
Her Big Chance
by Alan Bennett Blackout Theatre Company
Meet Lesley, she’s an actress She has just completed a film (‘targeted chiefly on West Germany’) in which she plays Travis, a career girl who enjoys life, spends a remarkable amount of time topless and shoots a man with a harpoon gun
She tells all, blind to the sinister undertones of her story as well as to her own self-delusions and gullibility
Alan Bennett’s superbly funny monologue, originally performed by Julie Walters as part of the ‘Talking Heads’ series on BBC, features local actor Natalie Castka as Lesley and was part of the 2013 British Invasion Festival of UK Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri
“Castka was relaxed, precise and charming It’s a crisp bit of writing, performed with style by Castka”
ROBERT TRUSSELL - KANSAS CITY STAR
£8
Length: 60mins
Age Guidance: 14yrs+
Thursday 17th July
Venue: 8.15pm (Doors open 7.30pm)
Marcel Lucont & James Acaster
Marcel Lucont: Is
A modern man ’ s majestic musings on mortality, morality, masculinity and, moreover, Marcel Lucont, multi-award-deserving maverick. A multimedia mélange of magnificence. As seen on Sky Atlantic’s ‘Set List’, BBC3’s ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’ and ‘Live At The Electric’
WINNER: FRINGEWORLD AWARD - BEST COMEDY SHOW 2013.
WINNER: AMUSED MOOSE AWARD 2012.
“Fresh, accessible, hilarious” THE GUARDIAN
“Gag after consistent gag The quality doesn’t dip once As smooth and consistent as a fine silky brie” ★★★★ THE LIST
James Acaster: Recognise
James Acaster has something he’s been meaning to tell you. He’s been putting it off for some time. You might want to sit down. Expect whimsical rabbiting on and awkward physicality throughout from the star of ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’, ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ and ‘The Josh Widdicombe Show’ (XFM Radio)
FOSTER’S EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARD BEST SHOW NOMINEE
2012 & 2013
“Beautifully constructed ‘art of stand-up’ stuff” THE SUNDAY TIMES
“Curious, original and immensely enjoyable” THE TELEGRAPH
“One of the sharpest comic minds to have emerged in recent years” THE GUARDIAN
Age Guidance: 14yrs+
The Ent Shed
120mins + intervals
Wednesday 23rd July
Venue: 7.30pm The Place Theatre
Dalloway
Dyad Productions
From the creators of The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe, Female Gothic I, Elizabeth and Austen’s Women…
1923: The War is over. While Clarissa Dalloway prepares a party in Westminster, Septimus Smith is diagnosed with shell-shock, and their memories and dreams magically intertwine with those of 15 other disparate souls, this hot blue day in June Conjuring the hopes and regrets of middle- and upper-class London, this adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s celebrated map of hearts, minds and memories offers a compellingly feminine response to the First World War Written and directed by Elton Townend Jones (The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe). Performed by Rebecca Vaughan (Female Gothic, I, Elizabeth, Austen’s Women).
“Truly extraordinary…Rebecca Vaughan is one of the most exciting young performers on the British stage” ★★★★★ BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE (on Austen’s Women)
“Simply stunning” ★★★★★ EDINBURGH REPORTER (on The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe)
“A masterpiece” ★★★★★ THREE WEEKS (on Female Gothic)
Wednesday 23rd July
8.00pm
Patrick Monahan: Adventures in Monahan Land
Vivienne Smith
A brand new stand-up show from Monahan who engages on tales from his youth up to this year which started with an appearance on ITV’s Splash TV show, donning a pair of speedos and no knowledge of diving he jumped off the 10m board with 1.5 somersaults into the homes across Britain on a Saturday night.
Also seen on ITV’s ‘Fake Reaction’ panel show, BBC’s ‘Let’s Dance’ and winner of ITV’s ‘Show Me The Funny’ and for Fox TV’s ‘Man Up’
“Hilarious without being outrageous” ★★★★★ THREE WEEKS
“There isn’t a comic quite like him, his hugs alone are worth the price of admission” ★★★★★ NEW CURRENT
“Supremely engaging, adored by audiences” THE SCOTSMAN
“This gifted livewire commands the stage with a mix of wit and force of personality” LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Age Guidance: 14yrs+
£10 (£8 concessions)
Length: 60mins
Thursday 24th July
Venue: 7.00pm 123 Create (123 Midland Road)
Elvis Comes To Bedford
Aysha Academy Trust
Pete Webb is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after Elvis impersonators He has delighted audiences performing his Elvis tribute shows in a multitude of venues Providing a complete evening of entertainment covering songs from all periods of Elvis’s career.
Enjoy an evening with an Indian Buffet and lots of Dancing and Cheering!
24th
Anthem for a Doomed Youth
£10
Length: 120mins
In commemoration of the Great War, Guy Masterson, (‘Under Milk Wood’, ‘Animal Farm’) has compiled 60 minutes of the finest WWI poetry and accounts from both sides of No-Man’s Land Including works from Wilfred Owen (‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’, ‘Anthem For Doomed Youth’)
Siegfried Sassoon (‘The Rank Stench’, ‘A Mystic As Soldier’) Isaac Rosenberg (‘The Immortals’, ‘Spring 1916’, ‘Break of Day’) together with hitherto unknown German poets and moving stories such as Erich Maria Remarque’s ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’ and the legendary ‘Christmas Truce’, life in the trenches is brought vividly to life.
Age Guidance: 11yrs+
£8 (£5 concessions)
Length: 60mins
Thursday 24th July
Venue: 8.15pm (Doors open 7.30pm) The Ent Shed
Brand new shows from Lucy Porter & Tom Toal
Castle Comedy: Bedford’s No.1 Comedy Club.
Lucy Porter: Me Time
Lucy Porter is one of the most loveable comics in the country and a fringe favourite! She comes to Bedford to preview her 2014 show, Me Time. She has made numerous appearances on the most popular television shows including ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ Perhaps her greatest television achievement was winning ‘Celebrity Mastermind’!
“Impeccably punchlined anecdotes of the everyday Genuinely delightful” THE TELEGRAPH
“Porter is one of the most talented comics on the circuit brilliantly crafted jokes. This is get happy comedy at its very best” ★★★★★ TIME OUT
Tom Toal: Prequel
A frolicsome and poignant stand-up show from hotly-tipped lovely lad Tom Toal! He has appeared on Channel 4’s ‘Eye Spy’ and was runner up in the LOADED LAFTA Ssearch for a star 2011 “Funny and Touching” THREE WEEKS
Age Guidance: 16yrs+
Length: 120mins + intervals
Thursday 24th July
Venue: 9.00pm The Place Theatre
Bill Clinton Hercules
TTI-Theatre Tours International – Guy Masterson
Come and meet the 42nd President as he cuts loose and shoots straight from the hip in his own fantasy TED talk! From the Trojan War to the future of democracy, his dreams, regrets, hopes and passions, Occupy, Hillary and Monica… Beloved stained icon and reviled Slick Willy. A life epic in its own right, but what will be Bubba’s final act? Can the Comeback Kid come back? Kansas City’s Bob Paisley (last seen at Bedfringe in ‘The Event’ in 2010) plays Bill Clinton in the ultimate tell-all by Rachel Mariner. by Rachel Mariner with Bob Paisley
Age Guidance: 11yrs+
£8 (£5 concessions)
Length: 70mins
Friday 25th July
8.00pm
The Ouse Valley Singles Club
After three packed out shows “local legends” The OVSC are back at Bedfringe! Once again you are invited to partake in their unconventional singles club offering old favourites and new songs that will help you find love on your allotment, offer an alternative bucket list and let you know how they feel about ‘selfies’.
Comprising of Tim Barron on Lead Vocals and Tenor Ukulele, Miss Amy Martell on Hofner Bass and Uncle Sam on Washboard, the OVSC never fail to put on a show of the highest order. Their roots lie heavily amongst the sounds and traditions of 1950s Skiffle but they then combine this with the energy of Punk, the swing of Rock and Roll and layer this with saucy postcard humorous folk-like story telling
What The Ouse Valley Singles Club have done is create a truly original and likeable sound, New Wave Skiffle if you like, where George Formby meets The Clash and Vaudevillian Music Hall and Working Men’s club values come together Their songs give a hilarious insight into single life and every day tales of woe as well as some razor sharp observational commentary. www.theousevalleysinglesclub.com
Age Guidance: 16yrs+
Sunday 27th July
Venue: 2.30pm Bedford Theatre
Bec & Tom’s Awesome Laundry
Bec & Tom
A funny family show with feeling...
Adventures can be found in the most boring places if you just use your imagination Down to their last pair of pants, Tom literally has to drag Bec to the laundrette, but she will do anything to avoid her chores: storytelling, games, paper puppetry – you name it! Even Tom can’t help but be swept up by her infectious enthusiasm (when he’s not trying to show off how clever he is) But beneath the mischief, Bec hides a secret Will Tom be hung out to dry, or will it all come out in the wash? Packed full of silly sketches and fun facts, this innovative, energetic show is fifty five minutes of good clean fun
“ the hour simply flies by as these exceptional comedians perform ”
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
“If you like hilarious, fun-packed comedy sketches, then you’ll love Bec and Tom’s Awesome Laundry. It’s not just for kids, adults will find it funny too.”
★★★★★ FEST
www.facebook.com/BecandTom
Age Guidance: 6yrs+
£8 (£6 concessions)
Length: 55mins
Sunday 27th July
Venue: 7.30pm The Ent Shed
The Closing Party
Bedfringe
Come on down to The Ent Shed and join the Bedfringe team for a chilled out evening to close this year ’ s festival. We have music from Tony Phillips & Jazzhouse who will be swinging through the sounds of Sinatra and Dean Martin plus other styles such as Funk, Soul and Latin
Tony has worked in various aspects of the entertainment industry He began his career in the rocking 50’s as a vocalist with rock and roll groups. In the swinging 60’s he fronted the likes of the legendary jazz/rock combo The Fabulous Flintstones plus The Wild Angels and harmony group The Symbols
During this period he appeared at the famous Star Club in Hamburg, Germany alongside Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley & The Comets and The Searchers amongst many others.
Age Guidance: 16yrs+
£6
Length: 120mins
