CAMDEN FRINGE

Antigone | Barons Court Theatre | 8-9 Aug
Oh, there is so much good stuff on at the good old Camden Fringe that it was a big struggle for me to narrow it down to just three shows. But I tried and here are the results of that endeavour. First pick is a reimagining of a classic, ‘Antigone’, which is set at a royal wedding in contemporary times and focuses on the themes of power, leadership and moral courage. Find out more about it here. 

Schrödinger’s Lesbians | The Cockpit | 8-9 Aug (pictured)
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound? If two lesbians f*ck and no one records it, did it happen? Sorry let me rephrase that: if two women fall in love but none of the men write about it, did it happen?” A return to Camden Fringe for Themis Theatre’s joyful and irreverent play built around Sappho’s fragments, about love, lesbians and being written out of history. Click here. 

Greyjoy | The Libra Theatre Cafe | 10-14 Aug 
Final pick for this section is an intriguing one, not least because it’s about two people – an out of work actor and a trainee doctor – who “make a discovery that changes the course of their lives”. I want to know what the discovery is. But also: this show guest stars different unprepared actors every night, so no two shows will be the same. Head to the Camden Fringe website here for all the details. 

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MORE CAMDEN FRINGE 

The Silliad: Improvised Myths And Legends | Museum Of Comedy | 7-8 + 29-30 Aug
So, well, it was so hard for me to narrow it down to just three picks from Camden Fringe, I just went ahead and picked another three. It’s still not enough, to be honest, so please do check all the listings here as well as taking my advice. This show made it because I love improv and I love myth and legend, and also, these guys have had very good reviews. So head to this page here to book tickets. 

Fathering In The Age Of The Apocalypse | The Libra Theatre Cafe | 7-9 Aug 
They had me at… “in 2013, Tom and Haydn made a pact: they would have children as long-form character research for a 60-minute comedy show about the collapse of civilisation. Now, thirteen years of sleep deprivation and school runs later, they’ve arrived at the Camden Fringe to collect their 10% box office split”. A comedy show for anyone who fears for their children’s future, apparently, so, any parent, book here. 

Lighthouse | Etcetera Theatre | 6-9 Aug (pictured)
This is a show that won much critical acclaim when it was staged at edfringe a few years ago, so it’s good to see it back again, and good to see it’s also going back up to Edinburgh this month too. It’s a compelling play about lighthouse keepers, two experienced hands training a newer recruit, who find themselves in situations that make them question their loyalty and their sanity, looking at the human psyche, paranoia and greed in a suspenseful and humorous way. More here.

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FESTIVAL STUFF

Erwartung / The Murderous Delusions of Gavrilo K: A Double Bill | Arcola Theatre | 5-8 Aug
Right, Camden Fringe isn’t the only festival going on in ye olde London Towne right now, so let’s put the focus somewhere else for a moment. Yes, we’re heading back to Arcola’s Grimeborn opera festival for another high quality double bill: Arnold Schoenberg’s 1909 work featuring electronic re-orchestration by Kevin Rodgers, and Rodgers’ own two-act electroacoustic ‘neo-verismo’ chamber work for four singers. Click here. 

Puffling Percy | Little Angel Theatre | 11-12 Aug (pictured)
And now another return visit, to Little Angel Theatre’s puppet festival, which finishes soon, so don’t miss your chance to see this or a different show. This one’s a lovely one for ages three to eight about a baby puffin who is a bit scared to leave home and learn to fly – but he has to, if he wants to survive. Expect a message about overcoming self doubt and trusting your own instincts. Find out more on the venue website here. 

Mr Boy: The Beauty Contest For Boys | Bread & Roses Theatre | 9 Aug   
“What is a boy meant to be? It’s a question on everyone’s lips, and one I intend to answer once and for all in the fairest way I can think of: a beauty pageant!” This one’s not part of a festival, but it’s going to be part of a big festival shortly, when it heads to Edinburgh mid-August. A high energy comedy show by Max Prentice that won acclaim at the Brighton Fringe. Find the listing for the show right about here. 

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MORE GREAT STUFF 

Winston And David | Tabard Theatre | 6-29 Aug
And now for some very good un-festival stuff, which is no worse, I assure you, for not being part of a festival. And, obviously, because I’m struggling to escape it this week to be honest, this one is a past edfringe sell out success. As you’ll maybe have gathered from the title, this play is about the friendship between Twentieth Century political giants Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George, and is both witty and moving. Book tickets here. 

The Fake Man Institute | Golden Goose Theatre | 11-22 Aug
Another edfringe-tested comedy from the award nominated Unseen Theatre about an alternative therapy clinic with an interesting approach: three friends set up the operation, where they roleplay as the absent men in their clients’ lives, but then things get a bit too personal, and the future of the business is jeopardised. How will it all turn out? Find out more about it, and sort your tickets, on this page here. 

Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Romeo And Juliet | Leicester Square Theatre | 11 Aug-19 Sep (pictured)
This is a company we first discovered at edfringe and, indeed, they are staging a show at the Edinburgh Festival this year. But it’s Hamlet who gets to head north for August, while Romeo, Juliet et al stay in London for a longer run at Leicester Square Theatre. Pretty sure you will all be aware but just in case: they get one cast member drunk and the chaos continues from there. Head this way for all the info.