THIS WEEK IN CULTURE + THE CULTURE BUSINESS
Three To See 29 Jul-4 Aug: Camden Fringe, Festival Stuff, Funny Stuff and more…
CAMDEN FRINGE
Almost Instinct Almost True | Camden Collective: Auction Rooms | 4-6 Aug
Hurrah, I can hardly believe our luck, really, having the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Camden Fringe kicking off in the same time frame. So much to write about. This week we only get to talk about two days worth of the Camden one, but we have three tips, starting with this darkly comical play inspired by the relationship between Phillip Larkin and Monica Jones. Info and tickets here.
The Alternative To Living | Barons Court Theatre | 3-5 Aug
“What happens if our digital life becomes our reality? A couple caught in a battle of seclusion, control and distraction become host to something not quite alive”. An interactive play that explores self image, self love and mental health, asking questions about who people are as opposed to who they want to be. Head to this page here for more details and to book.
Offgridland | Lion & Unicorn Theatre | 3-4 Aug
A vaguely related theme, here, as this show tells the story of a man desperately attempting to put distance between himself and technology and other people. It’s a claustrophobic comedy play from writer-performer Paul Richards and asks if its overworked hero can ever truly switch off. “Flight. Mode. The two most wonderful words”. See the Camden Fringe website page here.
FESTIVAL STUFF
This Road | Kiln Theatre | 31 Jul-15 Aug
Who’s up for more festival type stuff? Good, because there’s plenty of it today. First up, let’s head to Kiln Theatre for the Kilburn High Road Festival, and ‘This Road’, a celebration of Kilburn’s food culture that will see audiences embarking on a guided headphone journey. See this page here to book that and see this page here for listings for all the other events.
Jack And The Beanstalk (Sort Of) | Little Angel Theatre | 4-5 Aug (pictured)
We’ve already mentioned Little Angel Theatre’s Puppet Festival to you, because we recommended a show there last week, I think. But this week’s pick from that line-up is kind of a special one because we so much love the rock star legend behind it, Kid Carpet. Great for kids aged four to eleven, but I reckon that you parents and carers will have a great time too. Click here.
Murder Games: A Double Bill | Arcola Theatre | 29 Jul-1 Aug
Hurrah, time for another return trip, this time to Arcola Theatre’s Grimeborn Festival of lots of lovely opera. This is a double bill of farcical murder mysteries: Madelaine Dring’s ‘Cupboard Love’, a hilarious whodunit, and ‘Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters’ by Ned Rorem, based on the 1943 play by Gertrude Stein. Find out more about it on the venue website here.
FUNNY STUFF
Laughterama Festival | Somerset House | 29 Jul-2 Aug
And talking of festivals, who fancies a couple more? These ones being focused entirely on funnies. First up is the Laugherama Festival, taking place at Somerset House and featuring a different line-up of top comedians every night. The last night is already sold out, so don’t dally, because there’s still space for nights involving the likes of Ross Noble, Lou Sanders, Sam Campbell, Kemah Bob and many more. Info here.
Roundhouse Comedy Festival | Roundhouse | 1-18 Aug
Yes, that’s correct, you lucky Londoners, yet another comedy festival, and one that’s running until the 18 Aug. Who needs Edinburgh? Well, to be fair, I do, but if you are impossibly detained in the southern capital this month and can’t make it to the Fringe, what with this and Camden Fringe, you are sorted. Appearances from acts like Phil Wang, Paddy Young, Fern Brady and more. Check the listings here.
The Passion Of Mr Cardboard | Museum Of Comedy | 2 Aug (pictured)
I think this is the tip where shows on as part of actual current festivals end, though there is a festival connection for this show, because it is headed up to edfringe before too long and we’re expecting good things. It’s Miles Calderon’s new solo clown show featuring his established character Mr Cardboard, who won fans at the 2024 Fringe if I remember correctly. Click here for more.
HEADED TO ED
Stop Playing Jacob’s Ladder With My Spine | Playhouse East | 30 Jul
And talking of shows that are heading to edfringe this summer, here are three more productions that are heading to Edinburgh this summer. We begin with one from the genre folder marked physical, a show that blends absurdist theatre, contemporary dance and creative captioning, and explores the theme of loss of control within domestic settings. Find out more about it here.
Lawrence Dodd: This Can’t Be It | The Pen Theatre | 30 Jul (pictured)
“In his quest to make sense of everything, Loz discovers he knows nothing. In his unraveling, he searches for meaning with what’s left: himself, a room, and the people in it”. Well, that sounds serious, but this is in fact character comedy, and it’s already been very well received at work in progress and early performances. All the details on the venue website here.
Sobremesa | Drayton Arms Theatre | 29-31 Jul
There’s a season of Edinburgh previews over at the Drayton Arms Theatre and I picked out this play from Agnes Perry Robinson, not least because of its exploration of a universal experience – meeting the new partner of a loved one. In this case, Alma’s meeting her sister’s boyfriend, and whilst he initially seems perfect, she becomes increasingly bothered by him as the evening progresses. Read all about it here.
MORE GREAT STUFF
Much Ado/Love’s Labour’s Lost | OT On The Hill | 31 Jul-22 Aug (pictured)
Are you bored, now, of hearing about edfringe shows and festival shows? Yeah, don’t blame you. Let’s talk about stuff that’s just for Londoners. Well, and people who want to come to London to see one of Orange Tree Theatre’s two lovely, summery, open air Shakespeare productions. Weather prognosis currently pretty good, I think. Find them both listed here.
The Little Mermaid: Song Of The Sea | Greenwich Theatre | 31 Jul-23 Aug
A second family show recommendation for you, as you may well need them, given that the small ones have already been on holiday for at least a week or so and may well be in need of distractions. Written by British Panto Award winner Anthony Spargo, this is a musical retelling of the Little Mermaid story suitable for children aged five and up. More info on the venue website here.
Bury Me Before You Marry Me | The Cockpit | 29 Jul-1 Aug
“In some parts of Asia, there is a belief: when a young man dies unmarried, his parents will find him a bride and hold a ghost wedding to accompany him in death. Sometimes, the bride is a corpse. Sometimes, the woman being buried is still alive”. A rather intriguing premise for this immersive, interactive dark comedy that invites audiences to become part of the story. Find out more about it here.