Alton Fringe at the Festival
As our contribution to this year's inaugural Alton Arts Festival we took the opportunity to celebrate 35 years of Fringe productions.
Although only a single evening event, this became a complex programme of extracts from no less than 14 productions, ranging from the first of all - 1988's Murder in the Cathedral - to ZigZag - the story of Gilbert White of Selborne staged in 2022. Almost everything was learned, and rehearsals took many weeks. But the audience reaction on the night made it clear that the effort had been abundantly worthwhile.
“Brilliant”, “superb” would be my headlines for last evening’s Fringe performances. What a glorious feast of drama, so well performed. Thank you all.
“Yet another superb evening of the most enjoyable pieces. Great to look back over so many years. Alton loves you.”'
"Excellent evening's entertainment, both funny and poignant in parts, showing the versatility and range of these accomplished actors."
A particular bonus was that Patrick Sandford, the professional director who had been engaged by the 1988 Alton May Arts Week to direct that seminal production of Murder in the Cathedral , accepted our invitation to join us.
Click for Details and more of Ian Dumelow's photos
Our Next Production: Breaking the Code - Nov 2024
Our next full production will be Hugh Whitemore's powerful portrayal of the life of Alan Turing, the mathematical genius who played a key role in cracking the Enigma code and shortening the Second World War.
Performances will be on the evenings of 14,15 and 16 November 2024, in the Wessex Arts Centre, Alton College.
The production is now cast and rehearsals will begin after our Alton Arts Festival evening.
Tickets will be available in the autumn
The Cherry Orchard - Oct 2023
A triumph for Director Louise Biddiss with her bold and clear conception of how this play could be realised in the Fringe's characteristically intimate style. Through her skilful management of the rehearsal period she inspired exceptional early commitment from the cast and created a particularly happy and productive atmosphere throughout.
Michael Biddiss' special adaptation enabled the humour of Chekhov's 'comedy' to shine through in a way which delighted, and often surprised, the audiences.
Click here for information, photo-gallery, review, comments, etc
The Plague
30th March - 1st April 2023
A powerful and timely production
Conceived by Steve Gerlach and adopted as our next production by The Fringe three months before the COVID pandemic - that other plague - struck, this production, after three long and extraordinary years is at last accomplished.
Audiences emerged from the three performances moved - sometimes to tears - and deeply impressed by the quality of the production. You will find a gallery of Ian Dumelow's superb dress-rehearsal photographs, and Peter Allwright's wonderfully insightful review on the dedicated page HERE
About Us
Alton Fringe Theatre formed in 1988 when a diverse and talented group found themselves working together for an Alton Arts Week ‘all-comers-welcome’ production of Murder in the Cathedral, under the inspiring direction of Patrick Sandford.
Interested In Joining?
Alton Fringe Theatre is a local theatre group who take members from the age of seventeen upwards. There are no fees or subscriptions, just a willingness to get involved and contribute to whatever the group decides as the next project.