Curtain up on biggest ever fringe
THE curtain goes up on the fifth annual Camden Fringe on Monday - with twice as many more venues hosting shows than ever before.
Over 10,000 people flocked to Camden's home grown alternative to the Edinburgh Festival last year, and around 700 performances of 208 shows are set to take place in 2010.
Among the more unusual productions are an "abridged" whirlwind version of all 28 Sherlock Holmes mysteries and a Star Trek themed show where hecklers will be "vaporised".
Wordsmith William Stopha, who lives in Camden Road, Camden Town, will perform a new multimedia poetry show while top comics including Matt Kirshen and festival favourite Scott Capurro provide the laughs.
Co-organiser Michelle Flower, who has run the Etcetera Theatre in Camden High Street since 2004 with friend Zena Barrie, said: "We've been growing steadily for the last four years adding a new venue every year. But this year we've doubled in size to eight venues.
"It's big but if you phone up you'll still get through to me and Zena. We met in Edinburgh and it's a really high pressure environment up there. At the biggest venues people are spending thousands of pounds. You go insane and forget the world exists but with the Camden Fringe performers don't have to commit a full month of their lives and huge amounts of money."
New venues for 2010 include The Sheephaven Bay pub, in Mornington Street, Mornington Crescent, Upstairs at The Gatehouse, in Highgate, and the newly opened New Diorama Theatre, in Triton Square, Euston.
All previous Fringes have been predominantly based in Camden Town.
Ms Flower said: "The landlord of The Sheephaven Bay used to be the landlord of the Oxford Arms, which is where the
Etcetera is above. We had our end of Fringe party there last year. Zena and her mum are in there now putting up curtains! We definitely want more people to come and enjoy it - Camden is a very varied borough. Hopefully having stuff up in places like Highgate will attract different people than for the shows in Camden Town. A bit older and into musicals, probably."
Comedian Kevin Precious, who performs at the Fringe for the first time with his teacher-themed show Not Appropriate, said: "I'm looking forward to it - I think there must be an audience for it in London. I don't see why you should have to go to Edinburgh for it.
"It's a show based on my experiences, so some of the content is likely to be not appropriate too. Hopefully a few teachers will come along, although non-teachers are welcome."
l The Camden Fringe runs from August 2 to 29. For a full programme of events see www.camdenfringe.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|