The last stop before Edinburgh: Live Theatre launches Fringe previews
From stand-up and drag to new theatre and folk music, the Newcastle venue is giving audiences an early look at productions destined for the legendary Scottish arts festival
Newcastle audiences will have the chance to see a host of comedy, theatre and music performances before they head to the world’s biggest arts festival when Live Theatre launches a five day run of Edinburgh Fringe previews later this month.
Running from July 28 to August 1, the Quayside venue will stage two performances a day, giving artists the opportunity to test new work in front of North East audiences before travelling north to the Edinburgh Fringe, which runs from August 7-31.
The programme brings together established comedians, emerging theatre companies, musicians and performance artists from across the UK, alongside North East names.
Among the highlights is Canadian comic Kate Hammer, whose Government Approved Comedian opens the series with a show inspired by her quest to secure a Global Talent Visa through comedy.
Award-winning drag performer Fanny Bleach (North East performer Emma Crowley-Bennett) follows with The Nearly Naked Show, described as a blend of “guts and glitter”, while Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Freya Parker previews her latest stand-up hour tackling ageing, Vinted and artificial intelligence.
Teesside’s Scott Turnbull returns with Surreally Good, combining lo-fi storytelling and overhead animation, while musician Tom Oakes presents Forge, an ambitious new work blending traditional music, live composition, improvisation and spoken word.
The programme also includes I am Johnny, Tessa Parr’s exploration of masculinity and power, Grace Mulvey’s autobiographical comedy Gigantica, and Newcastle sketch troupe Metroland Live: As Seen On TV, an absurd sketch show inspired by everything from SMTV Live and Blue Peter to nostalgic Saturday night television.
Live’s new work producer, JD Stewart, said the preview programme offered audiences the chance to discover new work before it reaches Edinburgh.
“We are excited to welcome a host of talented artists from around the UK to Live Theatre to preview their work for this years Fringe Festival. We hope that audiences enjoy the selection - a mix of theatre, music and stand-up, and that this format of previewing is something which will continue in the future before the world’s largest theatre festival.”
Most evenings feature two performances, with tickets priced at £10 per show or £15 for anyone booking both performances on the same day.
Full show details and booking information here.
Elsewhere… getting Fringe-ready
Live Theatre isn’t the only North East venue offering audiences an early look at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe hopefuls. The Witham in Barnard Castle got in early, but there’s still previews to come.
The Stand, Newcastle hosts a double bill featuring BBC New Comedy Award winner Anna Thomas and Sunderland comic Anja Atkinson, who previews her latest work-in-progress, Calmer Comedian.
Clockwise from top left: Comedians Brennan Reece, Sara Barron, Chris Cantrill, Anya Atkinson, Anna Thomas and Gareth Mutch Queen’s Hall, Hexham devotes August 1 to Edinburgh previews from Brennan Reece, Gareth Mutch, Sara Barron and three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Chris Cantrill.
