A celebration of 35 years of Fringe productions
An evening of extracts celebrating 36 years of Fringe productions.
Directed by Louise Biddiss and others.
Our contribution to Alton’s inaugural Arts Festival in July 2024 – organised by the wonderful Guild of Optimists
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.
Photos by Ian Dumelow – click to enlarge
