The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, now in its 14th year, kicked off with a launch party at The King’s Arms in Salford, a pub and theatre that will be home to performances throughout July.
Shows will also be performed at a variety of venues across Manchester, from the New Adelphi Theatre on The University of Salford’s campus to the International Anthony Burgess Foundation near Oxford Road.
Kedar Bayley spoke with two performers, Nino Raphael and Natalie Patuzzo, to discuss the fringe’s importance and their upcoming shows.
Raphael, an artist and musician, will be conducting his show ‘Songs in the Key of Love‘ on July 17th-18th at Hallé St Michaels in collaboration with men’s choirs.
He said: “It tracks the story of the first memories we have of falling in love – the season, what you were eating, that feeling when you look into someone’s eyes.
“All the way through to being married, having kids and, sometimes, divorce.”
Patuzzo will be performing her show ‘Every Single Sound In The World (Work In Progress)‘ on July 2nd and 9th at Social Refuge, claiming that “it’s as it says on the tin.”
The artist said: “Be that with objects, audience participation, my voice, I am going to make every single sound in the world. Expect lots of laughs, comedy, and some surprises.”
Festival director and co-founder Lisa Connor said: “This festival is by Manchester, for Manchester.
“I’m very stalwart with it – I don’t want to let it go. I can’t stand the idea of someone monetising from this festival and from these artists.”
Marketing expert James Richardson, who offers valuable advice to those involved with the fringe, said the festival’s main aim is to “help people create something beautiful.”
Richardson said: “We help bring these concepts to a live show, sell tickets and give performers that big round of applause they deserve.”
For a full list of shows on at next month’s fringe, visit the festival’s website and support creatives in Manchester.
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