Norwich Fringe Festival 2011


This was the official website for the 2010 & 2011Norwich Fringe Festival. Enjoy a nostalgic look back to the 2011 Festival.

The history of Norwich Fringe Festival

The Norwich Fringe Festival was started in 1996 by Pete and Lisa Morgan, Ian Johnson and others as a Fringe to the Norfolk and Norwich Festival when it was run by Marcus Davey who along with Board member Bryan Read encouraged and supported a Fringe to the main festival to offer a broader range of work.
The N&N Festival was moved from October to May in 2001 and the Fringe took on a life of its own, as it remained in October.
Between 2003 and 2007 the former Bally shoe factory in Lakenham - which is now due to be developed into an Asda supermarket - was used as an exhibition space. Over these next 4-5 years, the Fringe grew to involve over 250 artists and performers of all kinds at the Bally Shoe Factory covering a massive amount of space and attracting visitors from all over the UK, plus an art trail of 30 venues in the city, and 20 performance events over 10 days, all free. It was epic and occurred without core funding.

The Fringe was not held in 2008 but was revived between 2009 and 2011 by organisers Matt Colley and Amy Wragg, with more of an emphasis on poetry and music. Amy Wragg ran a performance-based festival in May under the label Norwich Fringe Festiva/The Fringe was not held in 2012, but was being ‘rebooted’ in 2013 by previous organisers Marion Catlin and Paula Sanchez, who are hoping to see lots of local artists and performers get involved with the Fringe.


The Fringe was held in 2014 & 2015.
The Fringe Festival team is taking a rest in 2016.

For visitors who are interested in the current happenings with the Norwich Fringe Festival go to their current website: http://www.norwichfringefestival.co.uk/
DON'T MISS the 2017 FRINGE FESTIVAL.

Circa 2010 -2011

The Norwich Fringe Festival aims to bring together all the most exciting arts practitioners in the city. It is run as an independent entity under, around and outside the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. It will take place in many of the remarkable and beautiful venues found across the city, as well as unanticipated corners, alleys and subways, and will feature incredible spectacles, fascinating innovation and surprising levels of intimacy, and all within walking distance of the Norwich you think you know.

The concept behind the Fringe is to represent, accentuate and celebrate the cultural landscape of Norwich. Our events will entertain and challenge in equal measure, and are brought to you by a loose-knit cabal of leading local arts practitioners, promoters and genuine grass-roots talent. This year we are proud to bring you some incredible headline acts from across the country, as well as established and up-and-coming performers from across the region. If you’re interested in visual arts, live literature, music, comedy, theatre and film then the 2011 Norwich Fringe offers a great chance to find out what’s going on behind Norwich’s peaceful façade.

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it is to see Norwich in a different light; to let yourself be swept up by the mesmerising array of sights and sounds to be experienced in this fortnight of celebration. This festival belongs to the people of Norwich, and it is the people of Norwich that make it great. We very much look forward to seeing as many of you as we can possibly cram into the 20 venues participating in this year’s programme – we’ve done all this hard work for you, now it’s down to you!


The team

Director: Amy Wragg
Media & Press Officer: Matt Colley
Technical Officer: Jim Thomson
Comedy Curator: Paul Knight
Comedy Team: Tom Read
Comedy Team: Don Timson
Production: Hillary Koe
Director, Film: George Leader
Programme Design: Jason Drake
Production Assistant: Grahame Green
Production Assistant: Dean Knight

 

Swaps, exchanges and deals left right and centre at 'Back Door BARTER' as part of the Norwich Fringe Festival 2010. Going once... going twice...sold to the man in... green!

Back Door BARTER, as part of the Norwich Fringe Festival, was out in full force on Gentlemans Walk offering everyone the opportunity to exchange art for art, with Back Door acting as the trading agent between 10 am and 4 pm on Sunday 16th May 2010. There was a selection of work produced by artists who had previously shown at the gallery, as well as invited guests. ALl were open for offers in exchange for other pieces of art. I attended the 2010 Fringe Festival with a group of friends. All of us were art related exchange students from the US. The festival was was an inspiring and exhilarating break from our intense studies. I ended up trading some prototype jewelry that I was working on for my metal work classes for a quirky sculpture made from chain links and zippers. Jump ahead a 1/2 dozen years and I serendipitously discovered an online jewelry store whose owner and creator of the jewelry has also been inspired by seeing old locks and chains while traveling through historic New Mexico and California. They sell some of the coolest statement rings and choker necklaces. I have four of the chain link accent band statement rings which I wear all the time. Sometimes I feel like I am a sale ambassador for the Siamm Patra store since I have referred so many interested people to the site. Anyway, it was on my visit to the 2010 Fringe Festival that zippers and chain links appeared on my creative radar and have remained ever since. It's also where I met my future partner/husband. He is now part of a team of custom software developers working for a progressive IT company. Apparently off-the-shelf software is a big target for hackers, so companies who foolishly use it, put their data at risk. Enter RTSLabs and my hubbie's team. They will create customized software that addresses a business's strict security and privacy requirements. Well, it's all above my comprehension. When I first met my man he was a musician playing in a far out band. However the group eventually split. It's hard to wrap my head around how much of a techie I have married, but it sure has come in handy when I needed to create my own website. I have my instant webmaster, IT, Seo expert living with me. So thanks Norwich Fringe Festival for all the great gifts that resulted from my visit in 2010.

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If you’re interested in visual arts, live literature, music, comedy, theatre and film then the 2011 Norwich Fringe offers your finest chance yet to find out what’s really going on behind Norwich’s peaceful façade; an un-missable excursion to the cutting edge of cultural life in your home city- but be warned, you may never be the same again.

2011 Venues

Bedfords
The Bicycle Shop
The Birdcage
The Brickmakers
The Book Hive
Dragon Hall
The Forum
St Gregory's Centre for the Arts
Jurnet's Bar
Karma Kafe
Knowhere Bar
Norwich Arts Centre
St Margarets
The Marquee
The Norwich Guildhall
Olives
The Rumsey Wells
St Stephens Subway
Stew
The streets
Take 5
The Ten Bells
The Unthank Arms
The Waterfront
The Wild Man
The Workshop
Norwich Scout Hut
The Walnut Tree Shades
Franks Bar
United Reform Church
The Garage

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SOME OF THE EVENTS

13/05/2011

MARIA PAVLEDIS AND SARAH WILSON – ‘DOMESTICATED’

An interesting visual and theoretical relationship that explores issues relating to domesticity, intimate relationships and the emotional and psychological environment of these, using fabric and detail to create traces or echoes of relationships. Maria, by contrast, takes characters onto a stage set to explore scenarios and interactions.

ST GREGORY'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

13 MAY 2011

12.00PM

FREE EVENT

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3/05/2011

SUB60

Sub60 started with the first Fringe run by the new committee in 2009, and was inspired by organiser Amy Wragg’s obsession with St Stephens subway, the birth of the Poetry Choir and the avant-garde leanings of poet Andy Spragg.

ST STEPHENS SUBWAY

13 MAY 2011

12.00PM

FREE EVENT

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3/05/2011

ARTICUS FIRE & CIRCUS MEETS

Articus derives its name through a fusion of the words 'art' and 'circus'. Articus is an organisation that seeks to ignite local the community to communicate, celebrate, educate and inspire each other to create a place of well-being. We are a melting pot of creative entrepreneurs who come together with the aim to relight the fire in communities by creating events, collaborations, places and opportunities for people to find their creativity and celebrate it with others.

NORWICH SCOUT HUT

13 MAY 2011

7.00PM

FREE EVENT

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13/05/2011

ANDREW O'NEILL + FRIDAY NIGHT DEAD

A regular on the comedy stage at Download, Andrew O’Neill has played to 5,500 people at Sonisphere, opened for Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls, played at Torture Garden and the Bizarre Magazine Ball and loads of other events where people mainly wear shiny things. You may have seen him in Saxondale with Steve Coogan, or heard him on Radio One or Five Live.

TAKE 5

13 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£10 - £8 ADV/NUS

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Electric Youth Revolt

13/05/2011

ONE TRICK PONY + THE MUSIC HOUSE PRESENTS

A co-promotion night of live music at Jurnet’s Bar - the secret medieval cellar and best acoustic music venue in the land - on the opening night of the Fringe!

JURNET'S BAR

13 MAY 2011

8.00PM

FREE EVENT

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13/05/2011

ROCKIN DEVILS BLUES BAND

A new bluesy band, playing original versions of some great classic tunes. They are all great musicians, with varied backgrounds, which makes It hard to define the style as theres a bit of blues, rock n roll, rock and jazz, and a reggae number - just for good mesure. They first debuted at the walnut in March, dont miss this!

THE WALNUT TREE SHADES

13 MAY 2011

9.00PM

FREE EVENT

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14/05/2011

FRINGE CRAFT FAYRE

A special one-off fayre for all you arty folk. Expect home-made cakes, instruments, Indian head massage, bunting, books and funky T-shirts - all local, hand-made and ethically sourced. Tables are available at £20 each for the whole day. Come and meet like-minded folk or just browse the wares and grab a bargain. Email amy@norwichfringefestival.com to book a table.

ST GREGORY'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

14 MAY 2011

11.00AM

FREE EVENT

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14/05/2011

3 MAN ROAST EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Meaty comedy from Alex Holland, Will Howells and Dan McKee

THE BIRDCAGE

14 MAY 2011

3.00PM

FREE EVENT

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14/05/2011

NORWICH COVERS NORWICH

Some of the finest local songwriters will be COVERING EACH OTHER'S SONGS, prepare to hear hilarious and incredible re-interpretations of many of the familiar local songs you know and love. This is truly a rare event celebrating the local scene and bringing together some of the best talents for a friendly night with a jovial and informal atmosphere.

ST GREGORY'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

14 MAY 2011

7.00PM

£3 - £1.50 NUS

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14/05/2011

GUERRILLA PRESS + DAN GREGORY + PAUL BETNEY

It took doctors 18 years to figure out that Paul Betney had Parkinson's Disease, although, to be fair, Paul had suspected all along that something wasn't quite right. When he was finally given the diagnosis, and medication that brought it under control he didn't suspect that this would spark the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey as he came to realise what the tremor had meant to him as he began to ask what getting back to 'normal' really means. Funny, poignant and deeply engaging. “Unshakable” is the amazing true story of how one man’s life was dramatically changed when he picked up a cup of coffee.

TAKE 5

14 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£10 - £8 ADV/NUS

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Perhaps Contraption

15/05/2011

PERHAPS CONTRAPTION + SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAMBO

This double-act incarnation of Perhaps Contraption is an acoustic offshoot of the radical marching band that pranks around the UK with their deeply danceable assaulting pop. Squire Squier and Susie Showers combine comedy, poetry and sweet music with guitar, ukulele, flute, glockenspiel and their mouths. From a manifesto for the sandwich to questions about your orgasms, good timing and a whiff of English whimsy, we are here to make you laugh and think hard.

TAKE 5

15 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£5 - £4 ADV/NUS

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15/05/2011

LIVE LOCK-IN

After the success of the “Live Lock-in” @Bedfords, the Crypt, "Live Lock-in Part II” promises to be another great night filled with an eclectic mix of the finest artists in Norwich. Come along and bring your instruments or voice for the open mic or simply bring a friend and enjoy the night.

ST GREGORY'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

15 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£4 - £3 NUS

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16/05/2011

ART OF NORWICH FRINGE SPECIAL

The well-renowned Art of Norwich Exhibition, running since 2007 at St. Margaret's Church, celebrates its seventeenth exhibition with a Fringe special. The Art of Norwich is a regular exhibition at the 'Church of Art', designed to be a truly open platform for local artists where 'censorship' and 'exclusion' are foul and dirty words.

ST MARGARETS

16 MAY 2011

12.00PM

FREE EVENT

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16/05/2011

THE LIVING POEM

Vince Laws, Norwich Pride Poet Laureate, leads the Norwich Out Write Poetry group in creating a living poem. The poem will be hung word by word allowing the audience to become a part of its life by exchanging words of their choice for words of their own.

ST MARGARETS

16 MAY 2011

12.00PM

FREE EVENT

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16/05/2011

OFF THE BOX

An audio/visual installation by local myth and legend Ed the Singing Moose and friends. Rumoured to wander the city streets at night as a headless apparition, Ed the Singing Moose will be sitting still long enough to take film off the box and place it into the exhibition environment. The installation will be a collection of art films, shorts and music videos taking on, or commenting on, the impact television has in shaping our personal realities.

ST MARGARETS

16 MAY 2011

12.00PM

FREE EVENT

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16/05/2011

SCRAPBOOK CHALLENGE

One of our free events for the Fringe, this is an open slot for comedians to bring their favourite notebook for public examination by a group of other comedians and the audience. Turn up on the night and book a slot if you’d like to take part. We expect an open mic night unlike any other.

More details

TAKE 5

16 MAY 2011

7.30PM

FREE EVENT

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16/05/2011

DUCKING PUNCHES E.P RELEASE SHOW

The Ducking Punches E.P release show, featuring:

More details

THE MARQUEE

16 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£4

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16/05/2011

BAREFEET PRESENTS KING LACONIC + SAM JAMES HILL

A Night of the finest lo-fi, alternative, folktronica in the fine city! Featuring Sam James Hill and King Laconic.

More details

THE BIRDCAGE

16 MAY 2011

8.00PM

£2

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17/05/2011

NORWICH POETRY CLUB

This month we have a world exclusive. Back in 2006 Thick Richard burst onto the poetry scene with reputation for raucous late night gigs and a penchant for a beer or two afterwards. The plucky Mancunian duo, Matt and Bob, were favourites on the scene for about three years, becoming the first poets to play the legendary Reading & Leeds Festivals, paving the way for dickheads like me to have a go.

More details

THE BICYCLE SHOP

17 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£5

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17/05/2011

THE TINAMARINAS + CHRISTINE YORK

These two blonde-bombshell glittering good-time babes really care about the important things in life - shopping, clubbing, sex and....being gorgeous! Two glamorous gals on a mission to make the world a much more gorgeous place – or buy up H&M in the process. Their witty ramblings and hilarious observations explain the three stages of gorgeousness - looking gorgeous, feeling gorgeous…BEING GORGEOUS

More details

TAKE 5

17 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£5 - £4 ADV/NUS

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18/05/2011

GUERRILLA PRESS + RANT!

This will be the first part of the special Fringe edition of Rant, the City’s most popular open mic comedy event. What began as an experiment for the 2010 Fringe has become a favourite Norwich fixture. We expect an excitingly varied standard of entertainment, completely uncensored and thrillingly unvetted, with the stars of the evening being drawn from the thronging general public. Sets are five minutes long, and can only be booked on the night.

More details

TAKE 5

18 MAY 2011

7.30PM

FREE EVENT

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18/05/2011

NAC ‘SHORTS’ FRINGE FILM SPECIAL

Now into its fifth year, ‘Shorts’ will be holding a special Fringe Festival screening at the Norwich Arts Centre showing the latest and greatest films made by the talented filmmakers of Norwich and the surrounding area.

More details

NORWICH ARTS CENTRE

18 MAY 2011

8.00PM

£3

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yeah you heard us

18/05/2011

HEADCRASH

headCRASH started out as an occasional night nearly three years ago, and is now one of the fixtures of the Norwich spoken-word scene, showcasing on the penultimate Wednesday of every month at the Birdcage pub.

More details

THE BIRDCAGE

18 MAY 2011

8.30PM

£2

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la la la la la la la laaaaa

19/05/2011

SING WITH PRIDE

The Norwich Pride choir invite you to Sing with Pride during this year's Fringe Festival. Our workshops in unaccompanied harmony singing are for people with all levels of musical experience - including people who believe they can't sing. The sessions will be led by acclaimed singer/songwriter Mary Lovett. If you enjoy the Fringe workshops, we'd love you to join the choir and sing with us at Norwich Pride on Saturday 30th July 2011. Norwich Pride is a celebration from the LGBT community for everyone.

More details

UNITED REFORM CHURCH

19 MAY 2011

7.00PM

£5 - £3 CONC

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19/05/2011

INDEPENDENTLY FASHIONED

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the common place, the slaves of the ordinary” – Cecil Beaton

More details

ST GREGORY'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

19 MAY 2011

7.00PM

£7 - £5 ADV/NUS

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19/05/2011

JUSTIN PANKS + ANDREW MILLER + ASHLEY STOKE + COMEDY POOPCAST

Justin Panks is not a happy man. Not any more, and probably not ever again. He has been awake for a very long time now – longer than even he can remember, and it is making him say and do terrible things. This is not his fault. Apart from the initial stages of the process, which might have been, but which now seems a very long time ago. Do not expect him to pull his punches now – it is far, far too late to pull out. Obviously, it goes without saying that this is not a show for the easily offended. It is comedy as violent catharsis.

19 MAY 2011

7.30PM

£5 - £4 ADV/NUS

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19/05/2011

NEW BLUE SUN

New Blue Sun brings acoustic anarchy from 8pm until late every Thursday night at The Wildman, Bedford Street. Almost a decade of live and wild music has been played with a huge variety of local, national and international talent bringing every conceivable music into this crucible of creativity – free-thought folk, pretty-harmony punk, expressive street jazz, pretty-boy blues… make the stage your own! Get here early to secure a space on the stage or pre-book with Craig on 07707 624548.

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13/05/2011

NOW OR NEVER! MOVIE DOUBLE BILLS

The “UK’s 2nd Worst Anarchist Publication”, Now or Never, presents a monthly double bill of cool movies! Offbeat, obscure and mainly rancid fun awaits those that attend. This regular event will take place on the second Friday of each month from 7pm at the Stew Gallery and Artist Studios, 40 Fishergate, Norwich.

STEW

13 MAY 2011

7.00PM

£3

NorwichFringeFestival.com