We check out what’s going on during Greater Manchester Fringe Festival and highlight the must-see events.
Though it kicked off on 1st July, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival still has weeks left of unmissable events before it comes to a close on 31st July. The festival has come a long way since its inception in 2012, when it hosted only a handful of shows across six venues. Ten years later, 81 events grace the month-long festival, which has built up quite the reputation.
The festival is a multi-venue open access arts festival allowing creators outside of the mainstream to display their work and encouraging first time participation in arts production and performances across Greater Manchester. Below are a few performances that we think are worth checking out.
Phrases | Salford Arts Theatre | 28th July
Phrases is a mix of dance, spoken word, and multimedia coming together to form a minimal, reflective piece that shifts continually between PowerPoint presentation, dance performance, stand-up set, private conversation, and storytelling recital.
Projections of stream-of-consciousness writing are paired with often improvised dance movements and discussions of communication, to create a subtly humorous yet unnerving piece. The show explores anxiety and expresses sympathy and solidarity to those who experience anxious thoughts and overthinking. Grounded in realism, the show doesn’t promise that it’s going to be ok, only that you are not alone in your experiences.
A Spoonful of Julie | The Kings Arms Theatre | 23rd July
Bring the whole family to this extravaganza celebrating the music of one of the country’s national treasures: Julie Andrews. Join Nicola Mills on vocals and George on piano as they work their way through family favourites from Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and much more! With stories and singalongs along the way, it’s set to be an enjoyable evening for all.
Science Adventures: The Power Pickle | Coppice Theatre | 25th to 27th July
This show is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the school year with the kids. Follow the A.C.E.S, an elite team of scientists looking for the perfect location for their top-secret, super important, science assignment. But the team have gotten themselves in a bit of a pickle. Professor McGuffin’s ground-breaking Sub- Nuclear Optical Transmitter (S.N.O.T.) has stopped working, and it’s jeopardising the whole mission. Prepare to travel to the deepest depths and soar to the highest heights as the team look for the perfect location.
Garry Starr: Greece Lightning | The Kings Arms Theatre | 18th to 22nd July
One man attempts to perform all of Greek Mythology in 60 minutes in order to save his homeland from economic ruin in this side- splitting show from comedian Garry Starr. This lightning-fast rendition will portray all those familiar figures as you’ve never seen them before. Never before has Medusa been looser, Achilles sillier, or Uranus so heinous. Having already received six awards for his 2018 show Garry Starr Performs Everything, the eponymous performer returns with another hilarious show that isn’t to be missed.
Double Life: A VR Musical | Whitworth Locke | 20th to 28th July
Meet Guy, a gay gamer who’s looking for love in virtual reality. Double Life is a brand-new fusion of live musical theatre and VR. One moment heart-warming, the next heart-breaking, Guy will introduce you to virtual reality, immersing you in his story, surrounding you with his own virtual world and teaching you his favourite new VR games. Incorporating VR into the experience, each audience member will receive their own headset to watch the story unfold in font of them.
greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk