{"id":39,"date":"2022-10-03T19:33:16","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T19:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-342966-2934446.cloudwaysapps.com\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2026-06-07T20:38:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T20:38:28","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-995f960e wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"><strong>Alton Fringe Theatre&nbsp;<\/strong>formed in 1988 when a diverse and talented group found themselves working together for an Alton Arts Week \u2018all-comers-welcome\u2019 production of&nbsp;<em>Murder in the Cathedral,<\/em>&nbsp;under the inspiring direction of Patrick Sandford. Since then&nbsp;<em>The Fringe&nbsp;<\/em>has produced one or two plays each year, occasionally in conjunction with other groups. It has also put together programmes of readings and songs.<br><br>For years its home was the now-demolished Amery Hill School drama studio, but it also performed in a variety of churches, village halls, a marquee in St Lawrence churchyard, and in Jane Austen\u2019s house in neighbouring Chawton. In 2008 the group took Oscar Wilde&#8217;s <em>Salome<\/em> to the Edinburgh Fringe, where they received an independent four star review. Recent productions have used the Wessex Arts Theatre at Alton College and the Alton Maltings Centre.<br><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">The productions are small scale, low budget and performed to small audiences, but always aspiring to high artistic standards. As a result the performances have a character of intimacy and privilege which makes them very special.Plays are chosen to be as diverse as possible, and everyone is encouraged to direct when they find themselves with an enthusiasm for a particular work. As a result no less than &nbsp;fourteen members of the group have to date directed at least one play.<br><br>A full list of productions, some linked to photos and other records, is on the <a href=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/chronological-list-of-fringe-productions\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"222\">Productions page<\/a>.<br><br>There is a core of \u2018stalwarts\u2019 who have been in from the start but a large number of other people, including many young performers whose lives inevitably move on, have been warmly included over the years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Posters for some of our past productions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-995f960e wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"895\" data-id=\"1636\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Cherry-Orchard-Poster.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Cherry-Orchard-Poster.jpg 634w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Cherry-Orchard-Poster-213x300.jpg 213w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"621\" height=\"881\" data-id=\"1397\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Programme-cover-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Programme-cover-2.jpg 621w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Programme-cover-2-211x300.jpg 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 621px) 100vw, 621px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1266\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2008-Salome-Edinburgh-Fringe-724x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2008-Salome-Edinburgh-Fringe-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2008-Salome-Edinburgh-Fringe-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2008-Salome-Edinburgh-Fringe-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2008-Salome-Edinburgh-Fringe.png 794w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"831\" data-id=\"1231\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Programme-cover.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Programme-cover.jpg 599w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Programme-cover-216x300.jpg 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"529\" height=\"751\" data-id=\"992\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Programme-Cover.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Programme-Cover.jpg 529w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Programme-Cover-211x300.jpg 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"468\" height=\"664\" data-id=\"863\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/EOP-Cover-Image-PNG.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/EOP-Cover-Image-PNG.png 468w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/EOP-Cover-Image-PNG-211x300.png 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"742\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mary-Stuart-1-1-742x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mary-Stuart-1-1-742x1024.jpg 742w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mary-Stuart-1-1-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mary-Stuart-1-1-768x1060.jpg 768w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mary-Stuart-1-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 742px) 100vw, 742px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"727\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Poster-image-1-727x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Poster-image-1-727x1024.png 727w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Poster-image-1-213x300.png 213w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Poster-image-1-768x1082.png 768w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Poster-image-1.png 801w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"484\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"323\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Programme-cover-image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Programme-cover-image.png 484w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Programme-cover-image-213x300.png 213w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"522\" height=\"744\" data-id=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Wind-in-the-Willows-Flyer-front.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Wind-in-the-Willows-Flyer-front.png 522w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Wind-in-the-Willows-Flyer-front-210x300.png 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"412\" height=\"578\" data-id=\"2584\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Image.png 412w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Image-214x300.png 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"2585\" src=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Programme-cover-image-colour-731x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Programme-cover-image-colour-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Programme-cover-image-colour-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Programme-cover-image-colour-768x1075.jpg 768w, https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Programme-cover-image-colour.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alton Fringe Theatre&nbsp;formed in 1988 when a diverse and talented group found themselves working together for an Alton Arts Week \u2018all-comers-welcome\u2019 production of&nbsp;Murder in the Cathedral,&nbsp;under the inspiring direction of Patrick Sandford. Since then&nbsp;The Fringe&nbsp;has produced one or two plays each year, occasionally in conjunction with other groups. It has also put together programmes of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-39","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2588,"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions\/2588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altonfringe.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}