Beth Doherty
After the fringe went virtual due to the pandemic last year, live theatre returns to Salisbury this weekend with a lineup of free theatre events.
Running from Friday 15th October – Sunday 17th October, Salisbury Fringe Festival has a packed programme of comedy, slapstick musical theatre, short plays, dramatic pieces and poetry.
Speaking to Love Salisbury, committee member and local writer Christine Diment said, “Salisbury Fringe Festival features work by local writers and gives them an opportunity to show their talent. We also use local professional actors which also gives them a chance to showcase their skills.
“This year there are lots of intresting pieces and everything you watch is completely different which makes it very entertaining. All events are free and you don’t have to book to attend. We do ask for a donation that goes towards keeping the Fringe going and to the actors who do all of this voluntarily.
“The Fringe Festival keeps theatre live in Salisbury so it is a great thing to have“.
In previous years, the Fringe Festival has been held in pubs across Salisbury. This year, they have chosen a space that is more accessible for disabled audiences and writers.
“The Chapel has total accessibility for wheelchair users, it is very important that they can be included both in the audience and as writers,” added Christine.
“The Chapel has done a lot of refurbishment and they have some great spaces for performances and I think they are very excited to be involved with the arts and the festival.”
The event kicks off on Friday 15th October at The Courtyard at The Chapel with two shows to get you laughing out loud.
Friday 15th October, 7.30–10.00pm
The Campers: A Fever Birds’ comedy about two women in the great outdoors– what could possibly go wrong? This is followed by Spit Me Out, a sparkly ‘n’ saucy slapstick musical theatre experience from the award-winning Slap ‘N’ Tickle.
Saturday 16th
Test Valley 12.00pm-1.30pm at The Vestry at The Chapel: Test Valley group of South West playwrights present their latest work.
Tailored Cuts at The Salisbury Museum 2.30-3.30pm: performances of short pieces inspired by the museum’s intriguing new Fashion Gallery.
Short Cuts, at The Pheasant Inn at 6pm and 8pm: The Fringe’s flagship event, Short Cuts, features half-a-dozen punchy, entertaining mini-dramas.
Sunday 17th at the Chapel
POETIKA, 2pm-3pm: Fringe favourites Poetika return with another eclectic mix of poetry and spoken word.
SUNDAY SCRATCH at Brown Street, The Chapel 3.30pm–5.00pm: The popular monthly Scratch Night – where writers can try out work-in-progress moves from its regular Friday night slot to Sunday afternoon for a special edition.
MONOLOGUE MASH at Brown Street, The Chapel 5.30pm–7.00pm: The traditional finale to the Fringe festival weekend is a lively, light-hearted competition where members of the audience get to vote for their favourite monologues – and there’s a prize for the winning writer.
Christine’s work is being performed as part of Tailored Cuts and Salisbury Museum and the monologue Mash at Brown Street.
Andy Munns
