THE COUNTDOWN is on: it’s not long now until Guildford Fringe Festival 2018 gets well and truly underway with their biggest Festival line-up yet. The fun and frolics begin on Friday, June 29 and run until Sunday, July 29 – and with more than 100 events taking place, this handy Pick of the Fringe guide introduces you to some of the highlights.
Fancy a laugh? Kicking off proceedings in hilarious style, Gag House Comedy Superstars (Friday, June 29 @ G Live) opens the Festival with an epic line-up featuring Zoe Lyons (Live at the Apollo), Matt Richardson (Virgin Radio presenter), Ivo Graham (Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central) and headliner Andy Parsons (14 series on Mock the Week).
Bring a blanket and a chair, order a drink from the bar inside the Guildhall, and relax listening to arias from some of the most loved operas as Opera on the Balcony (Saturday, June 20 @ The Guildhall) comes to the Guildhall on Guildford’s High Street to give you a truly unique, free evening of entertainment.
Ready to fill your Hump Day with irreverent humour, fabulous duo Going South (Wednesday, July 11 @ The Back Room, Star Inn) will unleash upon you their zany mix of comedy and stunning harmonies in a very special evening of musical frivolity.
What better way to say hello to the weekend than with comedian Mark Dolan: Asking For A Friend (Friday, July 13 @ The Back Room, Star Inn). His hilarious new stand-up show asks the big questions no one else dares to broach.
On the hunt for some Fringe family fun? We have the answer! Grab your boots and join Jack and Puss on their adventure, as award-winning storytellers Bard & Troubadour bring you Puss In Boots (Saturday, July 14 @ Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre). Suitable for ages 4-12 and their families.
Or is adult entertainment on your agenda? One for the over 18s only, expect glitz, glamour and sassiness as The High Octane Club (Saturday, July 14 @ The Electric Theatre) brings you a saucy evening of burlesque and cabaret.
The thinking person’s variety night with comedy, science, research and music, Bright Club (Wednesday, July 18 @ BBC Surrey Radio Studios) is the smartest show in town as comedians and musicians share the stage with University of Surrey scientists and researchers.
Award-winning Guildford-based writer of TV’s Miranda, Paul Kerensa brings you Christmas! Presented as a radio play, Three Wise Men: A Christmas Play (Thursday, July 19 @ The Back Room, Star Inn)considers whether an Englishman, a German and an American (Charles Dickens, Prince Albert and Washington Irving) can create the modern Christmas?
Local amateur and professional singers unite in The Big Group Sing (Friday, July 20 @ The Harbour Hotel) to present a barnstorming concert featuring songs from many wonderful musicals to deliver a night of musical memories.
Is it possible to communicate with the dead? In Talking To The Dead (Sunday, July 22 @ The Keep Pub) magicians Griffin and Jones intend to find out. Sceptics and believers welcome.
The comedy is fast-paced and clean in this critically acclaimed, vintage radio-style comedy series, The Gin Chronicles In New York (Friday, July 27 @ The Guildhall), performed by four actors with a foley artist creating live sound effects.
Do you hear the people sing? Yes! With fabulous harmonies, incredible vocals, dashing good looks and fantastic personalities, The Barricade Boys (Saturday, July 28 @ G Live) showcase some of the world’s finest male voices from the West End and Broadway.
Guildford Fringe Festival 2018runs from June 29 to July 29and tickets are on sale now – the full lineup can be found HERE
WHAT WILL BE YOUR PICK OF THE GUILDFORD FRINGE?
By Guildford Fringe Festival