The Exeter Fringe Festival is coming!!
In July 2019, the inaugural Exeter Fringe Festival will take place across Exeter for ten days from 26 July to 4 August. I got the lowdown from festival organisers Elaine Faulkner and Alex Jackson.
I don’t know about you, but I am still mourning the loss of The Bike Shed Theatre. When we moved to Exeter three and a half years ago, it was a beacon of fresh talent, a haven for theatre nerds, freaks, geeks and experimental performance. It is also where I first met Exeter Fringe Festival Director, Alex Jackson who was working on the marketing. I came across Co-Director and fierce feminista; Elaine Faulkner last year when we worked together on Women of the world WOW Festival, Exeter. Collectively, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Alex is now a Theatre Director based in London, and Elaine is the only female board member of the Barnfield Theatre and, more recently the new Production Manager of Exeter Northcott Theatre. Alex and Elaine tell me that they dreamt up the festival last summer, recognising a gap in Exeter’s cultural offering. I remember hearing all about it last autumn over a biryani in the Curry Leaf on Fore Street, and it’s terrific to see the idea come to fruition. Alex is proud of what they have achieved, he tells me:
We’ve created a festival that encompasses theatre, comedy and more with a strong programme of family theatre so that all ages can join in and enjoy themselves together. There’s something for everyone, so I hope people will support our efforts and make the most of the fringe.
A Midsummer Nights Dream – Sun & Moon Theatre
Headline acts include magician, James Phelan (Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee’s nephew), India Electric Co. a soulful folk double act who recently supported Midge Ure on tour and Sleeping Trees with their new show Silly Funny Boys. The programme also features a host of emerging and established comedians, family theatre, music and dance performing in six spaces across the city.
Other performances include RawTransport™ a VR experience which will whisk you off to the far-flung wonders of the world. If the festival is a hit, organisers hope to make it an annual event building on this year’s success for 2020.
Festival Director Elaine Faulkner says:
It’s an exciting time to be living in Exeter with the Cultural scene in the city going from strength to strength. As a resident, I’ve been excited by the prospect of a festival where everyone is welcome. Whether you’ve never been before, or you’re a regular theatre-goer, we’ve programmed something for you. That’s what we want to build, an exciting festival that draws audiences and acts from near and far to our vibrant city.
Tickets are available online and the box offices at The Barnfield Theatre and Exeter Phoenix.
Tags: Alex Jackson, Elaine Faukner, Exeter, Exeter Fringe Festival, India Electric Co., James Phelan, Silly Funny Boys, Sleeping Trees, Theatre, women of the world exeter
