Edinburgh who? The Camden Fringe is back this summer — bringing over 300 shows to the small theatres and pubs of north London.
Returning for its 18th year, the performing arts festival runs from 29 July-25 August 2024, bringing with it a riot of theatre, stand-up, comedy, dance and spoken word performances spread across 20+ of Camden's small venues. (A handful of shows spill over the border into Islington and Westminster too.)
With such a glut of stuff to see, we've compiled a handful of highlights that sound particularly good fun/intriguing — but do browse the full programme. And get booking — shows do sell out!
FREAKS AND FOOLS: Alternative standup and musical comedian Nicky Vere-Compton and gingerfluid piano songstress Rubynia Reubens welcome you to the Queerdom — a surrealist cabaret experience from the perspective of trans/nonbinary identity and autistic/ADHD performers. This one's an absolute bargain too — just a fiver. Aces and Eights, 29-30 July
THE DISTANCE: A begging letter draws biology student Xlthlx back to her seaside hometown, only for her to discover it's succumbed to dark forces. What's more, the only people able to help her claim to have seen the future in a bowl of paella... This one's suitable for years 12+. Rosemary Branch Theatre, 29-31 July
JUST LIKE HOLLYWOOD (I SEE YOU WATCHING). The prison-like space of a bare stage sets the scene for this "rigorous, disturbing yet playful dance" exploring the entrapment, degradation, and exertion of control over a young woman's body in post Roe v Wade America. Etcetera Theatre, 29 July-4 Aug
HERCULES POIRIOT: A musical comedy that promises to be buckets of ludicrous fun, Hercules Poirot mashes up Greek mythology and Agatha Christie, in a caper about a Belgian detective with the strength of Zeus. Sacre bleu! Hen & Chickens Theatre, 29 July-20 Aug
GOOD BOY: A comedy of trauma, the social politics of Grindr and suicidal rabbits, Good Boy sees James Farley tell the true story of sexual awakening, submission and their shattering consequences. It's been described as "'the next Fleabag". Theatro Technis, 31 July-2 Aug
ELEANOR TIERNAN: Stand-up comedian and mock news presenter Eleanor Tiernan has been lauded for 'running the gamut from stupidity to sharp, humane to topsy-turvy hilarious' — and here's a chance to see her hone her act in one of London's most intimate comedy playhouses. Bill Murray, 31 July-14 Aug
FLAMENCO-ELECTRO: Discover the many dimensions of flamenco with this captivating show from guitarist Mike Rizk and a collective of dancers — as traditional, progressive and modern combine with the help of synthesisers, loopers, drum machines and percussion. Courtyard Theatre, 7-10 Aug
I LOVE TO FLY: Over the course of an hour at an airport gate, strangers, rock stars, newlyweds and families learn to love, to compromise, and come to terms with their fear of flying. Here's one for anyone terrified of getting on a plane. Little Angel Theatre, 9-17 Aug
WHERE WE MEET: This one-off immersive dance show invites the audience to experience the inner thoughts of a dancer; put on a pair of headphones and choose which performers from Unwired Dance Theatre to interact with. The dancer then shares their thoughts with you, inviting you to interact. Theatro Technis, 12 Aug
TOWER (OF LONDON): Tower Youth Club is on the brink. If Darryl and his team of youth workers can't save it, no one will... Prime Presents' play explores the issue of London's gradually-disappearing youth clubs, with the story of one that won't go down without a fight. Camden People's Theatre, 14-18 Aug
NEE-NAW: A dark play that'll feel all-too-familiar for many of us. Nee-Naw invites you to take a seat in the waiting room. But be warned: they are experiencing a high volume of patients at present, if your case is not an emergency, they kindly ask that you ring 111, or contact your GP at 8am tomorrow morning... Hen & Chickens Theatre, 19-20 Aug
THE GREAT DIVINATOR: "Comedy, drag, live music, mind reading and a shameless amount of flirting" are promised from Katie Tranter, in the guise of the Great Divinator, who shakes off being badmouthed by Harry Houdini to prove that all that spirits are real and he can indeed talk to them. Museum of Comedy, 24-25 Aug
Want to take a peek behind the theatre curtains? Camden Fringe has a podcast — Camden Fringe Pod — which includes interviews with artists and industry insiders.
Camden Fringe runs 29 July-25 August 2024.
