Monday 30 April 2012

Friday 13th and St George's Day

Thanks to Helen White for this photo of Solomon's Temple in the February snow

I'd just about finished this Blog entry, saved it so as to check some facts (I know you doubt that we take our editorial responsibilities that seriously) and then found the draft was lost somewhere. I'd got through most of the day without blaming Friday 13th for anything but what choice have I now?

Anyway the Fringe has grown by 30% since last week. If that carries on until April 25th (when we close for entries) we'll have 200 shows. The printed programme will have 60 pages and Stoon wil be attending 7 shows a day. I don't know why I'm even making these projections - it won't happen. If I understood how spreadbetting worked we could have a friendly, just-for-fun book on how many shows we'll end up with. But I don't, so we won't.

St George's Day - put your hand on your English heart how many of you know when it is? Chances are you have a better idea of when it's St Patrick's Day. To save you the time we'll tell you that it is on April 23rd - a Thursday this year. Put the date in your diary. Of course it's in your diary already, but what I mean is that we a have a Fringe 30 Event planned for St George's night - and you won't want to miss it.

I can't pretend that this is all down to patriotism - more a matter of logistics I think. We wanted to hold the event in The Dome Lecture Theatre and it was a matter of when the venue was available. The programme is not quite complete but we expect to have a short, local documentray film; a full-length feature film; an update with photos of the Vers@Tileproject and some live music. Oh, and there will wine and soft drinks. We'll be starting at 7.00pm and finishing at 10.00pm. The event will be free to Friends of the Fringe - so there's a good reason to join our Friends. £10 a year to show your support for your favourite local arts festival. If you're not a Friend it will still be a steal at £5.

In the 30% bigger Fringe we have some intriguing new shows. Some more outdoor theatre adjacent to Poole's Cavern - including the true story of the outlaw Poole after whom the caves are named. There is also a show about theMerry Wives of Henry VIII. This claims some comedic touches - some, not necessarily feminists, might dispute this; but perhaps we know what is meant. Some friends are also coming back - the Manchester Recorder Orchestra (epic is the only word that fits really) and the Great Dome Art Fair.

Buxton Festival Fringe is sponsored by the University of Derby and so we are especially happy to see Fringe 30 and Fringe events held in that splendid setting.


by Keith Savage - Published 13/09/2009

No comments:

Post a Comment