Fiction versus reality – Comedy at Buxton Fringe

Buxton Fringe’s thriving Comedy category offers everything from hilarious fiction to witty satire on the state of the world.

Ingenious Edy Hurst offers an ambitious comic recreation of HG Wells’s The War of the Worlds via Jeff Wayne and Steven Spielberg. Toffee-Nosed Theatre and The Writing Shed meanwhile present A Shedful of Plays , three new plays boasting plenty of Victoria Wood-style humour. There is more northern comedy to be had in I’ll Have What She’s Having’s production of monologues and short plays, Do It Thissen! In Voices In My Head, Something Wicked Theatre Company brings an equally colourful cast of characters including a bolshy exercise instructor and a salt-of-the-earth cabaret singer. Kevin, King of Egypt, from Rob Gee, tells the story of Kevin, an escaped mental health patient and Millie, an exuberant six-year-old.

Other performers take inspiration from the news. Stand up, character comedy, animations and videos all play a part in Steve Vertigo’s surreal show Full Frontal Newsity. Alex Kealy tackles Silicon Valley, advertising, addiction and monopolies in Alex Kealy: Winner Takes All. Naomi Paul offers topical tales plus original songs, Jewish humour and possibly biscuits in Despite Everything… while award-winning Nathan Cassidy throws up his hands to ask “Who can save us now?” in his eagerly awaited new show Nathan Cassidy: Hot Tub God.

There is plenty more comedy on offer at Buxton Fringe. Pick up a programme, see www.buxtonfringe.org.uk or download the free Buxton Fringe App for further information.

The Fringe wishes to thank High Peak Borough Council, its Fringe Friends and the town’s many Fringe supporters and venues.