Fringe TheatreFest 2024 all set for the end of June

Sixty theatre companies are in the throes of final preparations before heading to Barnstaple’s Fringe TheatreFest at the end of June.

Lines learned, moves polished, music perfected, leaflets at the ready, companies will shortly be setting off from Canada, from Spain, from Ireland and from across the UK to join local and regional theatre makers in a celebration of every kind of theatre you can imagine.

Audience members too are preparing to travel. Regular Fringe-goers from Newcastle, London, Canterbury, Coventry and Cardiff planning how to see as many of the 180 performances on offer as possible and looking forward to renewing Barnstaple friendships forged at previous TheatreFests.

Barnstaple comes together to make this happen. Landmark Theatres not only make the main stage at the Queen’s available but also construct a studio theatre in the Gallery bar and a mini-theatre (Room At The Top) in the boardroom. Fringe Central Box Office is located in the Queen’s Theatre Foyer for Fringe Week (24th – 30th June, with performances starting on the 27th) Barnstaple Town Council makes the iconic Guildhall available as a venue along with the Castle Centre.

Established venues such as Golden Lion Tap, JCT27 and Fat Cats (the venue formerly known as Masquerade) open their doors to a theatre experience.

Other venues include The Baptist Hall, St Anne’s Arts Centre. Barnstaple Library, Barnstaple Museum, Bridge Chambers, Green Lanes, The Feel Good Larder, Barnstaple Coffee Shop, Queen Anne’s Café, Hub on the Strand, Castle Green and the Pannier Market.

Local business sponsorship plays a vital part in defraying the costs of kitting-out venues and publicising the event. Fringe venue sponsors this year are Wollens Solicitors (Queen’s Mainstage); David Wilson Partnership (Queen’s Studio); and Discover Your Bounce Publishing (Castle Centre). Gold Sponsors are Samuels Solicitors, Zero 7, Margaret Nathanson and Vivienne Nathanson. Silver Sponsors are Peninsula Management, Rosie Bracher Family Solicitors, Benning Energy and Hartland Players.

The engine of the enterprise is provided by a large team of committed volunteers who, between them, co-ordinate Fringe throughout the year and then staff the event over the four days of theatre mayhem. It is a massive effort and without this skilled and good-humoured team, there would be no platform for the wonderful work that the companies bring to Barnstaple.

Online booking is already open. Fringe veterans are snapping-up their Frequent Fringers which buy them 6 shows at £4 each. One-off tickets are £8, £5 concessions. 20 of the 40 productions are pay-what-you-will bucket collections.

Early booking trends reflect the huge variety on offer. Top sellers include contemporary dance on the Queen’ mainstage; intense drama in the Baptist Hall; historical drama in the Guildhall; comedy in the Golden Lion Tap, Fat Cats and JCT27; and magic and mind-reading at the Queen’s.

But the only way to really get an insight into the richness and diversity of the programme is to visit the website – www.theatrefest.co.uk – and / or pick up a brochure from the Queen’s Theatre or Barnstaple Library.

There are shows on their way to Edinburgh Fringe. Shows and performers that have already won awards at Edinburgh and at other Fringe festivals around the world.

There are young companies and performers at the beginning of their careers, gnarled professionals at the top of their game and there are performers performing simply for the hell of it. They all have a passion to share. Immerse yourself in what’s on offer.