As you surely know all too well, we take an interest in pretty much any festival with Fringe in the title, and so we'll obviously try to stay up to date with what's going on at the Lambeth Fringe over the next few weeks.
One show that's on this year immediately leapt out at us, 'The Catalogue Of Sexual Anxieties', which begins a run at the White Bear Theatre this week.
It's a comedy musical written and performed by three very engaging women: Aniqa Charania, Marion Poli and Charlotte Szabo, aka The Hysterical Ladies. I spoke to them to find out more about the show.
CLICK HERE to read this Caro Meets interview.
'The Catalogue Of Sexual Anxieties' is on at the White Bear Theatre from 17-28 Sep as part of Lambeth Fringe. For more information and to book tickets see this page here.
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LAMBETH FRINGE>>
He's Six Years Older Than Me | The Glitch | 22 Sep
I bet you thought all the fringe festivals were over for the year, didn't you? If you've actually been giving that any thought. But no, here comes Lambeth Fringe to smooth away any post summer, post-Edinburgh blues with a lovely line up of stuff. Lots of one off performances, like this one by Taeyun Kim, about a woman who becomes fixated on her dating history, which includes a number of men six years older than her. More here.
The Popess: Instructions For Freedom | The Glitch | 21 Sep + 6 Oct (pictured)
As is so often the case, I've been attracted here by something set in the past that is also a comedy. Oh, and also focuses on women. This - set in Thirteenth Century Italy - investigates the connection between religion and power, and the meaning of freedom, via the story of a heretical sect that dares claim that the second coming of god is a woman who will herald a new female-led era. Interesting, huh? Click here.
Lightbulbs | Bread & Roses Theatre | 21 Sep
"Picture: a warm, bright, delicate cage. Inside, a tangle of electricity, sparks between two young bodies. In our most intimate spaces, who do we trust to keep the darkness at bay? And how do we navigate the hard wires of another being?" More interesting themes for you here and I am intrigued. Though I will point out that the show includes strong language and scenes of a sexual nature, just in case that's not your dab. Info here.
MORE FESTIVAL STUFF>>
Best Of The Edinburgh Fringe | OSO Arts Centre | 17-22 Sep
Yes! More festival stuff! And, just in case you are still pining for the old edfringe, here's a line-up of events that you might have missed when you were up there this summer and could take in right now instead. There are six well received shows for you, and you can just choose to go to one or two of them, obv, but you could also get an all-in ticket and go see the lot. Head to the venue listing here for your 'golden ticket' and links to all performances.
Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival | The Cockpit | 17-29 Sep
This is a whole actual festival for you. I decided to recommend the whole thing because it's only thirteen days long and there are loads of one-off events, so I'd like you to look carefully at all the listings and make your own informed choice about which to see. There are some incredibly interesting looking shows and works in progress here - many of them telling the sort of stories you might not expect to see accompanied by opera. Click here.
Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England | Wilton's Music Hall | 19-21 Sep (pictured)
This isn't part of a festival at all, but it did get a great write up from one of our reviewers up in Edinburgh in the summer, so it seems entirely appropriate to talk about it here. It's a one person play, written and performed by Alex Hill, and is both hilarious and thoughtful, as well as offering an emotional punch. It's inspired - as you may have suspected - by the real event described in the title, but it's a story that explores what it means to belong to a club that you live for. More here.
FAMILY SHOWS>>
The Museum Of Marvellous Things | Jacksons Lane | 22 Sep (pictured)
And now for some lovely stuff you can spend time with your beloved tots at, starting with a show filled with giant puppets, magical effects, interactive storytelling and original music, based on the picture book by Kristina Stephenson. "Discover stars in jars, catch moons like balloons, dance with Doo-Dahs in cages, sing with Noo-Nahs on stages. Because this is a museum like no other - it's made from the magic of YOUR imagination - and you get to bring it alive". Info here.
David Gibb's Family Jukebox | The Albany | 22 Sep
Now let's head down to The Albany for more fun for kids aged three to eight, but also for their parents and carers, who will, I'm pretty sure, enjoy this as much as the small ones will. David Gibb's songs are influenced by a wide range of genres - jazz, folk, reggae and rock - and promise to take you on a hilarious and surreal trip - to where "wolves roam the school corridors, dragons live under the bed and teddy bears dance the night away at the disco". More here.
The Mystery Of Little Angel Theatre | Little Angel Studios | 21 Sep-17 Nov
We know the creative force behind this show - Danyah Miller - from her high quality offerings up at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, so of course we are intrigued by this - an interactive adventure that combines live board game elements with a hunt for evidence. "Watch camera footage and uncover hidden clues, every riddle bringing us closer to the truth. Expect mischief, intrigue, spontaneous stories and, of course, a sprinkle of magic". Details here.
SHORT STOPS>>
Darling Boy | Camden People's Theatre | 18-19 Sep
On to stuff for a more grown up outing, and most, if not all, of what's coming up next is theatrical stuff, if I remember correctly. First up, a comedy drama written and performed by Rupert Bevan, which had an acclaimed run at edfringe 2023. It's about a young man who feels like he's failing at his 20s - "he hates the apps, can't do clubs or casual sex" - and is trying to get over his first love. Find out more about it on the venue website here.
Blood, Sweat And Vaginas | Jack Studio | 17-21 Sep (pictured)
"Carolann's awakening is sudden and all consuming. She stumbles out of her super woman bubble to discover a crumbling marriage, a teenage daughter with whom she can't communicate, and an overwhelming job, all while peri-menopause has a grip on her body". Another edfringe success, a moving and humorous story from Paula David about self discovery and female sexuality. Info here.
Sorry You Felt That Way | Theatre503 | 17-19 Sep
Described as a thrilling story about love and the things we wished we didn't know, this play's synopsis has completely drawn me in: "Emma met Adam in a Tesco at a strange time in her life. After six months of romance and joy she decides to move into his apartment. But on her first night in her new home Adam's ex-girlfriend is waiting for her in the sitting room and she no longer feels safe". Hmmmmmm. More here.
LONGER RUNS>>
Pins And Needles | Kiln Theatre | 19 Sep-26 Oct
Final set of three for this week and we're looking at longer runs. Kinda. You'll see what I mean when we get to tip number three. Anyway, I know I use the word intriguing far too much, and I also talk too much here about the fact that I do, but I am doing it again, because dangnammit, this is a really intriguing looking exploration of the politics around vaccines and the human stories behind it all. And it's by Rob Drummond, who is brill. Details here.
Ostan | The Park Theatre | 18 Sep-12 Oct (pictured)
"Rebin has been stuck in the UK immigration system for almost a decade, settling into a routine: working at a local hand carwash and repeatedly applying for indefinite leave to remain. But when the carwash owner Shapur proposes using the carwash as a front for human trafficking, Rebin's routine is shattered - indefinitely". A new and unflinching drama from Fringe First award-winner Arzhang Pezhman, book your tickets here.
The Lift | Lion & Unicorn Theatre | 17-24 Sep
Usually when I do a section of 'longer runs' it means things that are on for a month or something, this one is only on for a week. But that's longer than anything in the Short Stops section, so it fits! Anyway, this looks good, and explores how we'd react when stuck in an enclosed space with a bunch of strangers, as eight people going about their daily business suddenly find themselves unexpectedly trapped together. More on that here.
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