Commencing on Monday (3 August) and running for a full four weeks, 2015 marks the 10th ever Camden Fringe. There are over 220 different productions currently booked to take part at 20 venues.
A number of new venues are taking part this year including The Cockpit in Marylebone and the Rabbit Hole in NW3, a new 50 seat performance space at the Duke of Hamilton pub in Hampstead.
Looking for a laugh? Aces and Eights in Tufnell Park have an impressive comedy line-up. One act performing at Aces and Eights is John Gordillo. An acclaimed stand-up in his own right, Gordillo is also known in comedy circles for his work as director and script editor to over 60 acts, including Reginald D Hunter, Eddie Izzard and Michael McIntyre. He’s doing a six night run of a work in progress show at the Camden Fringe (17- 22 August.)
More stand-up comes from newcomers Saban Kazim – The Comedy Store King Gong winner December 2014 – and Sarah Sheldon – Jewish Comedian of the Year finalist 2014. This pair have have teamed up to present a full deadpan hour simply named Saban and Sarah do Stand-Up (15 & 16 August, Etcetera Theatre.)
Of course, it’s not all comedy. There is also theatre-a-plenty. Fans of gothic horror will not be disappointed by one woman shows Sandman (24-27 August, Etcetera Theatre) and Greywing House (4-8 August, Tristan Bates Theatre.) Sci-fi fans will be well served by two brand new plays: two offerings from Stars or Mars Theatre Company: Cuckoos and Chrysalides (14-16 August, London Welsh Centre & Trust) and SUM – the play (28-30 August, Etcetera Theatre) as well as King Chaos from Bad Bat Productions (10-15 August, Tristan Bates Theatre.)
The irresistibly titled The Spandex Bastards: Below The Belt (10-14 August, Etcetera Theatre) is, like many Fringe shows, about finding yourself. In this case it is usually done through the medium of wrestling. Sounds fun!
Drag is really having a moment right now, and accordingly there are three drag acts this year: Bambi Boo performs An Exorcism Live! every Monday at the Canal Cafe (3,10,17 & 24 August.) Relationship guru Ebony Rose Dark – Talks Woman Trouble With Ping Wing (14 August only, Club Theatre at RADA Studios) and Australian and international icon of theatre, cabaret, fashion and wit Lady Celeste returns to the Camden Fringe in Lady Celeste: Luminary (3-9 August, Phoenix Artist Club.)
Also bringing a bit of old school glamour to round up proceedings there’s An Audience With Fenella Fielding (29-30 August, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.) This husky voiced legend guested on the Morecombe and Wise show no fewer than four times, and will be treating Highgate to tales from her long career in film and TV.
