Buxton Fringe beats the virus – with online and social-distanced performances

Over 80 acts will be bringing music, comedy, theatre, visual arts, spoken word, film and dance - not only online but also in the great outdoors during the event.

As well as virtual shows available on platforms such as Facebook or YouTube performers are hosting micro-performances down the phone for those unable to access the internet.

However a number of outdoor events are also planned during the festival - which runs from July 1-19 - including a flowerpot hunt, artwork which can be viewed from the open air or children’s treasure hunts.

Every day of the festival - which has run alongside Buxton International Festival since 1980 - virtual festival-goers can access performances via links on the Fringe Website.

They include shows by Australian comic Stew Walker following a sold-out debut season at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Burbage Band and High Peak Orchestra.

For theatre-lovers Orange and Pip’s topical play Through The Screen touches on coronavirus as a relationship-changing secret emerges during three students’ lockdown video chats.

However for those unable to get online Fringe stars including Mike Raffone, Will Hawthorne and Debbie Cannon are offering five to ten minute micro-performances down the phone.

To be entertained during a Phone@5 performance ring 01298 79351 to book your 5pm call - choosing from a menu of music, comedy, poetry and stories.

Speaking about the alternative plans for this year’s Fringe spokesperson Stephanie Billen said: “After some inevitable cancellations the Fringe now has 80 entries with more coming in by the day.

“Many are online, some involving live-streamed productions on particular days and many with an interactive element.

“There are also a few physical events including children’s entertainment, exhibitions and art trails.

“If you’ve been feeling a bit isolated or in need of a boost this is your chance to bring a little Buxton Fringe stardust into your life.”

To access links for online performances or find out locations and times of outdoor events during the Fringe click HERE.

A selection of just a few of the performances on offer this year:

Theatre

The Gambit

The story of two chess grandmasters - this won the Fringe’s New Writing award in 2013 and went on to pick up five-star reviews in Edinburgh. It is described as ‘a dense web of ideas analysed over the background of a failed friendship’.

The play is available as a radio recording so can be enjoyed at home or out and about.

Root

Kellie Colbert’s video performance depicts the struggles of living with Trichotillomania - a compulsive desire to pull out hair and the strain it puts on everyday life.

The Lion And Albert

A selection of music hall and parlour recitations collected by Hancock Fabrications including all of the Albert stories, Three Ha'pence a Foot, The Runcorn Ferry and The Cremation Of Sam McGee - available via Facebook and Zoom.

Music

Egriega

The Buxton Fringe Award- winner presents a new show telling the story of the forgotten Fado singer Xuxu Carvalho - featuring Portuguese Fado music and an audio recording of her biography.

Adrian Lord

In Journey to Sky Blue Cheshire composer and pianist Adrian Lord plays joyful and uplifting music from his first two albums to help listeners switch off and wind down.

Poperasops

This combination of music and comedy features pop songs performed opera style - with competing sopranos battling it out to give people a smile.

Comedy

Andy Quirk

Parodies From the Peak District features musical parodies capturing Andy’s experience of moving to the area - with subtitles so people can sing along.

Helen Wilkes

The DNA scientist invites the audience inside the lab coat to join her in self-isolation - possibly in Cambridge - where she has yet to be asked to become a spy, or so she says.

Visual Arts

Experimental photography, prints and paintings by Jennifer Hart and Louise Jannetta and mountain and landscape photography by Geoff Shoults

The events will be held with social distancing measures in place at Louise’s friendly studio off Dale Road, Buxton, and at Jo Royle Outdoor

Trails

Flowerpot creations will be popping up around the town - with organiser Funny Wonders asking people to get involved and make their own to be added to a map. Two Left Hands have created a number of homemade alternative well-dressings across town and artist Lindsey Piper is bringing her trail of 25 Smiles to Buxton - with a chance to win an eye-catching smile of your own if you find them all. Buxton Fringe Award-winning magazine collage artist Giles Davis is offering a one-day online workshop on where he will share his skills and help you develop your own.

Spoken Word

Will Blake

Will’s Alice Goes Elsewhere is a darkly-comic musical audio-play about talented young musicians struggling with the realities of modern life.

Mark Gwynne Jones

Mark presents Voices from the Peak - a new soundscape weaving together people’s stories, places and wildlife into an artistic audio recording.

Transition Buxton

The group present two mini-seminars - Carol Huff on her personal voyage to plant-based living and Dr Terry Newholm on Diet in the Anthropocene.

Children's and Fringe-organised events

Creeping Toad’s online workshop

Children use their imaginations to create the castle Buxton has never had in Creeping Toad’s online workshop in conjunction with Buxton Museum, Lost Castles.

The Red Balloon

Families can sit down to see The Red Balloon - Lucky Dog’s take on the classic 1956 short film which was judged ‘outstanding’ in its Fringe review last year and is now available online.

Fringe and Community

Fringe jigsaws and crosswords as well as a chance to revisit Fringe Sunday’s past and last year’s spectacular Fringe40 exhibition via online links.

Film, dance and smaller categories

Special guest Mary Queen of Scots

Discover Buxton Tours is airing a special film recorded in the Old Hall’s Orchestra Pit before it became part of the new Crescent development - featuring a guest appearance from Mary Queen of Scots.

Buxton in Bloom

They will be hosting their annual garden competition online while Serpentine Community Garden offers a chance to enjoy their Secret Garden event by invitation only to allow for social distancing.

Rebecca Rhythm

Joyful performer Rebecca Rhythm offers Time to Tap - an improvised tap performance delivered live via her Facebook page while Tyra Mancy brings back the lost art of fromage-based fortune telling in an intriguing, online cheese-based cabaret.

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