BEFORE THE FRINGE
Edinburgh Previews Week 1

Presented by Arcola Theatre

24 BRAND NEW SHOWS IN 2 WEEKS:
ARCOLA OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE HOTTEST TALENT HEADING TO THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL.


MONDAY 21 JULY:


7.30 PM – Alcock Improv 
Cambridge University’s best-loved improvised comedy group – fast wit, zany characters and big laughs. You name it, we’ll make you laugh ‘til it hurts.


‘Revolutionized the comedy scene in Cambridge’ Varsity newspaper (2008)


http://www.alcockimprov.co.uk



9.00 PM – Cambridge Footlights 125th Anniversary Tour Show: Devils
On their 125th anniversary, the world famous Cambridge Footlights come charging back with this year’s brand new sketch show. Sharp, exciting, and always hilarious – welcome to ‘Devils’.
 
‘A must-have ticket’ – The Times
‘Fast, well-observed, hilarious – lives up to the hype’ – Fest


www.footlightsdevils.co.uk


 



 


 


TUESDAY 22 JULY:


7.30 PM – Butter No Parsnips by Gerry Howell 
“You have wonderful curtains. If I were an interior designer, I’d say ‘Ooh look at those curtains!’ But I’m not. I’m the Avon Lady.”


When dinner is interrupted by a militant Avon Lady, Ed and Alice are forced to confront the elephant in the living room. An amusing tragedy by Royal Court Young Writer Gerry Howell (“weirdly wonderful” – Evening Standard).


www.freefringe.org.uk



9.00 PM – Stoning Mary by Debbie Tucker Green 
“I can getchu a comp…cos you’re family”

Bursting onto the stage with raw energy, ringing with green’s stark, percussive poetry, and gripping the audience with witty characters and fast-paced narrative, debbie tucker green’s finest writing hits the Fringe. Stoning Mary weaves together three eerily familiar storylines; sandwiched between adverts in our newspapers, lost amongst celebrities on our television screens, these are the lives of the voiceless, their stories too long unheeded and unheard. With bristling urgency, green gives utterance to these vital stories and events jerk vividly to life, rendered fresh, immediate and incisive in this startling and thought-provoking play.


www.newcambridgetheatre.com

Presented by New Cambridge Theatre Company


 


WEDNESDAY 23 JULY:

7.30 PM – Girl & Dean
“Handcrafted sketch comedy from “a unique and creative duo.”
(Evening News)
“This sassy tour de force tickles the ribs from the get-go.” (Scotsman)


“Fun without missing a beat” (List)
**** (Scotsgay)


Fighting evil with tea and scones. Directed by Richard Hurst


www.girlanddean.co.uk



9:00 PM – Pegabovine: Polite Club – 9 pm
Sirs – Britain’s politest company respectfully request your attendance at a gathering of songs, sketches and delight.
“Witty and fast-paced” (Scotsman).
“Guaranteed to put you in a good mood” (EdFestMag).
***** (Three Weeks).


www.pegabovine.co.uk


 


THURSDAY 24 JULY:

7.30 PM – Secret Agents by Apikoros
Meet Verloc.  Jazz enthusiast.  Professional pornographer.  And Britain’s most incompetent terrorist.  The very funny, very shocking, very true story of the man who tried (and failed) to blow up the London Eye.


On 11 March 2005, an unidentified man blew himself up on the London Eye, harming no one but himself.  Who was he?  What was he trying to do?  Inspired by real life stories, urban myths, conspiracy theories and the writings of Joseph Conrad, SECRET AGENTS is a fusion of truth, fiction and everything in between.


The London Eye bomb conspiracy is a growing internet phenomenon.  YouTube and www.whoblewupthelondoneye.com are good places to start.  See also the recent article in the Sun:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article983172.ece


www.apikoros.co.uk.



9.00 PM – Kerry Godliman: This Is Not What I Was Expecting
If you’ve ever been wrong footed by your expectations, if your life is not quite what you had in mind then come and be reassured you’re not alone.
 
‘A great comic who oozes personality’,
Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard
 
Kerry Godliman (Spoons, Rush Hour, Law Of The Playground, Extras) You never would’ve thought being disappointed could feel so good.


www.chortle.co.uk/comics/k/187/kerry_godliman


 


FRIDAY 25 JULY:


7.30 PM – Andrew Clover: Dad Rules 
“She says: “Let’s have children.” I know this is a historic moment.  I must respond like a man.  So I ignore her.” 
Based on the Sunday Times column, Dad Rules is a hilarious, feel good mix of stand-up and stories from Andrew Clover, Perrier Nominee, Ashes to Ashes clown (BBC), “The Hunter S Thompson of parenting.” “Comedy tour-de-force,” *****Scotsman


www.andrewclover.com



9.00 PM – Tom Allen: A Voyage Around My Mother
Winner BBC New Comedy Awards and So You Think You’re Funny.
Tom Allen wanted to know about his family history, so went on a research trip…with his parents. Hilarious new show about family history, personal identity and his mum.
“One to watch” Times
“****Wonderful” Three Weeks
“Classy” Herald
“Affable and clever” List
‘Velvety, grandiloquent…rich with deliciously trivial details” Chortle


www.tomindeed.com

Presented by Arcola Theatre