www.bedfringe.com

2009

30

6

2+acts

venu

es weeks!

11to

25Ju

lyproducedbyFuture

Legen

d

Bed fo rd ’s p rem ie r comedy, thea t re & mus i c fes t i va l j us t go t b igger

welcomefrom the Directors

Bed fo rd ’s p rem ie r comedy, thea t re & mus i c fes t i va l j us t go t b igger

2009Bedfringe

produced by Future Legend

Future Legend is a Bedford based productioncompany (Est.1996) highly committed to theproduction of video, film and theatre.

Future Legend is made up of a unique teamwho have been working together for over20 years, specialising in a wide range of skills,such as direction, production and performance.We are able to produce high quality, creative,entertaining and motivational corporate andtraining video solutions to aid you in enhancingyour marketing and business communications.

www.futurelegend.co.uk

It’s back! And it's bigger than ever!

Welcome Bedfringe friends! This year we have eventsrunning in multiple Venues, allowing the festival to runfor longer. 2009 venues include The Bedford Gallery,The Ent Shed, The Place Theatre, The Howard Room,The Harpur Suite and The Bedford Corn Exchange.

We hope that you see real value and a long future in thisfantastic festival now in its third year. So come and seewhat all the fuss is about… Or simply prop up the bar!

May we to take this opportunity to thank our sponsorsfor their generous support, without which, Bedfringewould simply not exist.

www.bedfringe.com

James PharaohRichard Mann

spon

sors

Bed

fringe2009 Principal sponsor

1 Lurke Street0800 013 0339comearoundtobedford.co.uk

Business sponsors

The Brewery, Havelock Street01234 272766wellsandyoungs.co.uk

dhl.com

Design and print, completesolutions, short and long run.01234 843900www.lgdigital.co.uk

Electrical & MechanicalEngineering LTD23 Sergeants Way01234 328209admin@sdgservices.co.uk

St Mary’s Street01234 799988bedford.parkinn.co.uk

Stage, lighting, sound hire.0870 873 1130impactproductions.co.uk

Media sponsor

22 Mill Street01234 369582bedsonsunday.com

Support In Kind

PA, AV and Lighting Hire forindoor and outdoor events.01234 294690www.khsound.co.uk

Quality Embroidered Logos.Brunel Road, Barker’s Lane01234 217972www.hyspec.co.uk

19-23 The Broadway01234 352107tavistocksoundandvision.co.uk

Many thanks toBrian Howard ESQ

bed f r inge2009 sponsorswww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

cabere t bed f r inge2009www.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

11 JulyTime: 7.30pmTickets: £9.90 (inc booking fee)Venue: Bedford Gallery

vipOpening Reception

The 2009 VIP Opening reception withcomplimentary drinks supplied byThe Blue Glass Company, Bedford.Comedy, live music and an opportunity

to meet the directors.

White Tie& Tails

LukeToulson

AlexandarPerkins

SteveGifford

3

16 July15 July

BEDFRINGE AND UP-STAGE THEATRECOMPANY PRESENT,

FLOATERS

A dark look at the lives of eight peopleaffected by rape. A tragicomic pieceof theatre that will enlighten andentertain.“If this is the standard of playwright andcast I look forward to seeing more of themin the future” THE LUTON NEWS

www.up-stage.co.uk

*Adult themes and language

BEDFRINGE AND GOOD SENSE OFHUMOUR PRESENT,

ANDREW O’NEILL &JAMES SHERWOOD

Andrew O’Neill isn’t your usual stand-upcomedian. He has an innate sense ofabsurdism and silliness, and proudlydisplays one of the most inventivecomic minds around today.“So funny I put him in my new TV show”STEVE COOGAN

James Sherwood is one of the country’sforemost comedy writers and stand-upcomedians. James contributes thefunnies to radio shows across the BBC.“... brilliantly conceived and very funny …Sherwood has phenomenal stage presence”THE SCOTSMAN

Time: 8pmTickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)Venue: The Place Theatre

Time: 8pmTickets: £8 (No concessions)Venue: The Ent Shed

comedy theat rewww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

4

Andrew O’NeillJames Sherwood

18+Strictly for

ages 18years+

16+Suitable for

ages 16years+

dance / d rama theat rewww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

17 July17 July

BEDFRINGE AND DREAMSHED THEATREPRESENT,

I’LL BE BERT

Following its sell-out premiere at theEveryman Studio Theatre in Cheltenham,‘I’ll Be Bert’ comes to Bedfringe beforegoing to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Written and performed by Bill Cronshaw,a life-long Manchester City fan, the playtakes an affectionate look at growingup in post-war Manchester and theimpact that Bert Trautmann, (City’slegendary German goalkeeper), had onan impressionable schoolboy.

“A resounding success among young, oldand non-football fans alike”THE INDEPENDANT

www.dreamshedtheatre.co.uk

BEDFRINGE PRESENTS,

ALIAS THEATRE& ATHENA ARTS

Award-winning Alias Theatre and TheGoldington-based Athena Arts Projectare teaming up for a double-bill ofinnovative and powerful physicaltheatre and script.

Led by Artistic Director, Trudy A Bell,Alias and Athena provide opportunitiesfor young performers between the agesof 8 and 18 to develop advancedtheatre skills and devise new writing forperformance.

www.aliastheatre.co.uk

Time: 8pmTickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)Venue: The Place Theatre

Time: 5.30pmTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: The Place Theatre 5

ch i ld ren ’s theat re theat rewww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

18 July

BEDFRINGEAND CHOTTO OOKII PRESENT,

SWEET

In the era of romantic comedies withhappy endings and perfect heroes,Total Theatre Award winners ChottoOokii present a bitter take on thesaccharine nature of love.

Physical theatre, stunning visuals,puppetry and dance are combinedin Chotto Ookii’s inimitable style toproduce a hyper energetictour de force.

“striking imagery and fineperformances…something really special”THE SCOTSMAN

www.chottoookii.co.uk

Time: 8pmTickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions)Venue: The Place Theatre

18 July

BEDFRINGE ANDTHEATRE OFWIDDERSHINS PRESENT,

RAPUNZEL & THE TOWEROF DOOM

Tangles? Split Ends? Frizzy? It’s hardenough having a bad hair day but pitypoor Rapunzel spending her life in atower with a wicked old witch using hercaptive’s locks as a step ladder! Whatsort of damage is that going to do toyour hair?

Theatre of Widdershins have taken thisGrimm tale right back to its dark roots!

“Another fabulous show – well done!So much to enjoy for all ages and suchinventive sets and puppets. You remain thegold standard!” THE BROADWAY

www.widdershins.co.ukTime: 2pmTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: The Place Theatre 6

comedy doub le b i l lwww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

7

22 July

BEDFRINGE ANDCHAMBERS MANAGEMENT PRESENT,

ANDREW LAWRENCE

Andrew Lawrence “Soul-CrushingVicissitudes of Fortune”

The double if.comedy Award nomineereturns with a show about luck and howit can shape our lives.

“Lawrence packs more laughs into one ofhis ninety second rants than most comicsmanage in half an hour.” THE SCOTSMAN

“One of the greatest as-yet undiscoveredtalents on the circuit”DAILY MIRROR

“Evil elegance” TIME OUT

Tickets: £8(No concessions)

22 July

BEDFRINGE ANDCHAMBERS MANAGEMENT PRESENT,

JACKWHITEHALL

Jack Whitehall first caused a stir on thestand up circuit in 2007 and secured afinalist position on Channel 5’s ‘So YouThink You’re Funny?’ He has gone onto host Celebrity Big Brother’s BigMouth and other varioushigh profile programmes.

Now, at the ripe old age of 20, Jack isheading back to Fringe theatre for hisdebut solo stand up show. Expect highenergy, gag-packed comedy from one ofthe hottest things in stand up.

“Terrifyingly confident newcomer JackWhitehall is a shoo-in for stardom”EVENING STANDARD

Time: 8pmVenue: The Ent Shed

18+Strictly for

ages 18years+

bed f r inge2009 comedywww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

23 July

BEDFRINGE ANDGEOFF NORCOTT PRESENT,

THE SHOCKING TRUTHABOUT MEN ANDWOMAN

Geoff Norcott has become a bit sexistand isn’t happy about it.

A former card-carrying feminist,Geoff lost sight of his principles afterfive years of marriage and a dubiousTV gig. Now he wants to rediscoverthe new man he buried.

“Funny, charming and optimistic…”THE LIST

“Guaranteed to bring the house down atany comedy gig”MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Time: 6pmTickets: £7 (£6 concessions)Venue: Howard Room 8

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

8

comedy l i ve mus icwww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

9

23 JulyWe welcome back MH&S who are voted

the UK’s no 1 harmony band playingsongs as a trio that many bands

wouldn’t dare to attempt. From E.L.O toQueen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, the

band have a fantastic following guaran-teed to fill any event that they play.

BEDFRINGE PRESENTS,

MAXWELL, HAMMER & SMITH

Time: 9pmTickets: £6 (No concessions)Venue: Howard Room

23 July

BEDFRINGE ANDSIMON MUNNERY PRESENT,

SIMON MUNNERY’SAGM 09

Simon Munnery returns to Bedfringe forthe second year of his sentence, hopingfor time off from good behavior,to kiss flying moment and do auberginesketch on request, with new songs,considered hair and an ironed shirt.

Can’t say fairer:Just comes out fairer.Recently he has become overly worriedabout the state of his outhouse:he has got a messy annexe complex.

www.lat.notbbc.co.uk

Time: 7.30pmTickets: £7 (£6 concessions)Venue: Howard Room 20% OFF FOOD & DRINK

full details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

theat re ch i ld ren ’s theat rewww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

24 July

BEDFRINGE AND ST THOMAS MOORESCHOOL PRESENT,

FAIREST OF THEM ALL...

All may be fair in love and war, but theprinces and princesses of Fable Ville areonly concerned with one thing – who isthe Fairiest of them all? Come and seewhat happens when your favouritefairytale characters battle it out forthe title. This could get ugly…

BTEC Performing Arts students fromSt Thomas More RC Upper Schoolpresent a children’s story witha difference.

Time: 1pmTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite

24 July

HANGING UP YOURHOODIE

A mixture of music and drama exploringthe way that young people have beenportrayed in the media throughoutthe past 50 years.... have things reallychanged or is it just the musicthat’s different?

Bedford based Wooden Hill work withall sorts of people in all sorts of ways.They deliver training, run consultationsand produce theatre.

www.woodenhilluk.co.uk

BEDFRINGE ANDWOODEN HILL PRESENT,

Time: 11.45amTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite 10

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

l i ve mus ic poet r ywww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

19 July

BEDFRINGE PRESENTS, “BEDFRINGE POETRY”

THE SWAN THEATRE CO PRESENT“COMIC & CURIOUS”

An evening of poetry.

www.theplacebedford.org.uk

Time: 7.45pmTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: The Place Theatre

24 July

BEDFORD BASEMENT POETSPRESENT “DANCING ON VOICE”

An afternoon of poetry.

www.bedfringe.com

Time: 4.30pmTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite

24 July

BEDFRINGE ANDTIME TO BOOK PRESENT,

DON’T SIT UNDER THEAPPLE TREESONGS FROM THE 1940’S PERFORMED

BY FIONA HARRISON

After the amazing Bedfringe success of“We’ll Meet Again” in 2007 and “DownParadise Row” in 2008, Fiona Harrisonmakes a welcome return with her new1940’s hour long musical show.

So settle down to an afternoon ofnostalgia and listen out for Fiona’s closeharmony work which has earned her thetitle of “Britain’s Finest Professional1940’s Entertainer”.

www.timetobook.orgwww.fionaharrison.comTime: 2.30pm

Tickets: £6.50 (£5.50 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite 11

There once were some poetsfrom Bedfordwho thought they would goout and get heardthe crowd were amazedby their lyrical ways,kind of Shakespeare, but lessof the dead words.

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

comedy comedywww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

12

24 July

BEDFRINGE PRESENT,

THE SCOTTISH FALSETTOSOCK PUPPET THEATRECOMPANY

The stars of BBC3’s ‘Comedy Shuffle’and MTV’s ‘Best Ever Show’, return toBedford with a taste of their brand newshow, and some favourite bits. Songs,sketches, socks and violence.

“For sheer energy and laughs per hour, thesecomic stockings are the biz – denier miss it.”**** THE SCOTSMAN AUG 2008

“Hilarious... the Abbott & Costello of thesock world” TIME OUT

Time: 7.30pmTickets: £7 (£6 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite

24 July

BEDFRINGE ANDGOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR PRESENT,

MARCEL LUCONT:SEXUAL METRO

France’s premier award-winningmisanthropist, philosopher and loverbrings his “wonderful French wit”(TimeOut) and “brilliantly brusqueroutines” (Chortle) to you, the“ignorant masses” (Marcel Lucont).

“Wonderful French wit... a suave MC.”TIME OUT

“A stand-up star in the making”THELONDONPAPER.

Time: 6pmTickets: £6 (£5 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite

!This is not a

children’sshow

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

comedy ch i ld ren ’s comedywww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

USuitable for

all ages 13

25 July

BEDFRINGE AND IRB PRESENT,

IAN BILLINGS:OUT OF HIS MIND!

Enter the wonky bonkers world ofkid’s comic and author, Ian Billings,for a tickle-filled hour of chucklepuns and giggle gags. Be preparedfor belly laughs – remember tobring your belly.

“Ian Billings was brilliant!”EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS *****

www.ianbillings.co.uk

Time: 12noonTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: Howard Room

24 July

BEDFRINGE AND VIVIENNE SMITHMANAGEMENT PRESENT,

PATRICK MONAHAN

A regular TV & studio warm up onshows such as ‘Friday Night JonathanRoss’, ‘The IT Crowd’, ‘The Lenny HenryShow’ as well as a regular MC atselected venues on the comedy circuit.

Patrick is an original writer and cleverimproviser skilled in audienceinteraction!

“High energy & conviction, his material isgreat; he's going to go far”THE SUNDAY TIMES.

“Thoughtful Comedy” THE GUARDIAN

Time: 9pmTickets: £7 (£6 concessions)Venue: Harpur Suite

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

comedy theat rewww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

14

25 July

BEDFRINGE ANDDR. MERRIWEATHER PRESENT,

MERRIWEATHERCOMES TO TOWN

William Shakespeare, the greatestdramatist that ever lived, remains yet anenigma – until now: For the first time,one of his own theatre company stepsforward and speaks out…

Hilariously funny, hair-raising, bloodyand poignantly sad, ‘Merriweather’ is agreat afternoon out for lovers ofThe Bard and newcomers toShakespeare alike.

www.drmerriweather.org.uk

Time: 4pmTickets: £5 (£4 concessions)Venue: Howard Room

25 July

BEDFRINGE ANDFUTURE LEGEND PRESENT,

THE GLENN MILLER MYSTERYSTARRING TONY PHILLIPS & RICHARD MANN

Sinatra tribute artist Tony Pirelli ispreparing himself for a concert whensuddenly he feels somebody else’spresence in his dressing room. Standingthere is a trench coated figure whoselook resembles the late US band leaderGlen Miller. The trouble is... it’s the 21stCentury and Miller disappeared in 1944,so what is going on?

Tony (the writer), has appeared withmany acts including Ray Charles,Jerry Lee Lewis, Sir Cliff Richard andSir Anthony Hopkins, plus many more!!

www.futurelegend.co.ukTime: 2.30pmTickets: £6.50 (£5.50 concessions)Venue: Howard Room

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

theat re comedywww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

15

25 July

BEDFRINGE ANDJAMES SEABRIGHT LTD PRESENT,

BRITAIN’S BEST MATES

Obsessed with sports, lads’ mags,girls and each other, Comedy Central’sdelusional couple, Phil & Phill, share thesecrets of their bizarre, award-winningfriendship and hopefully bag themselvesa TV deal in the process.

“Hysterical comic geniuses” (GQ)

“The next Ant & Dec” (Phil & Phill)

Time: 7.30pmTickets: £7 (£6 concessions)Venue: Howard Room

25 July

BEDFRINGE AND THEATRE TOURSINTERNATIONAL PRESENT,

AUSTEN’S WOMEN

Directed by Guy Masterson, this aperiod piece with a difference!

Compiled and adapted from the mostrewarding and exciting moments in theworks of Jane Austen, Austen’s Womenbreathes new life into the manybeautifully observed women andheroines throughout her canon.From scenes of high comedy tomoments of pathos and loneliness,Austen’s creations are paintedwith unnerving accuracy.

EDINBURGH PREVIEW SHOW!

www.theatretoursinternational.com

Time: 5.30pmTickets: £7 (£6 concessions)Venue: Howard Room

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

comedy l i ve mus icwww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

16

25 July

FUTURE LEGEND PRESENT THE BEDFRINGE CLOSING PARTY FEATURING

YER BLUES BONES Yerbluesbones.co.uk

Come and prop up the bar as Yer Blues Bones play upbeat Rock ‘n’ Rolland Rhythm & Blues with music from Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins and BoDidley to lesser known Stones, Beatles and Fleetwood Mac tracks.Add to that some of YBB’s takes on modern classics and you have aset that will have you clapping, singing and moving your feet!“If you want a fun way to end the evening – this one’s a blast!” THE DAILY MAIL

WATCH MY SHORTS FILM FESTIVALFilm entries to this year’s ‘Watch MyShorts Film Festival’ will be displayed onour venue screen throughout the evening.Full listing at www.bedfringe.com

Time: 9pmTickets: £6 (No concessions)Venue: Howard Room

25 July

BEDFRINGE ANDJAMES SEABRIGHT LTD PRESENT,

JAN RAVENS: A FUNNYLOOK AT IMPRESSIONS

Best known for impersonating countlesscelebrities and public figures in DeadRingers on both Radio 4 and BBC2,Jan Ravens makes her solo stage debut inthis delightfully funny and revelatoryshow, which premiered at London’sNational Theatre.

From Anne Robinson and Nigella Lawsonto AnnWiddecombe and the Queen, nowoman in the public eye can hide fromRavens’ unique brand of satirical comedy.

“A consummate impersonator.”THE TIMES

www.janravens.com

Running time: 2x40mins + interval

Time: 7.30pmTickets: £14 (£12 concessions)Venue: Corn Exchange

20% OFF FOOD & DRINKfull details at: www.bedfringe.com

book ing in fo how to f ind uswww.bedfringe.combox office: 01234 269519

BOOKINGS:

FOR GROUP BOOKINGS OF 10+ please email: director@bedfringe.com

Programme subject to change.

Bedford Central Box OfficeOPENING TIMESMonday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pmFriday 9.30am - 5.00pmSaturday 10.00am - 2.00pm

CALL US!

at www.bedfringe.com

ONLINE!

Bedford Central Box Office, The Harpur Suite,Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 1LE.Visit Bedfringe.com for address details of other venues.

VISIT THE CENTRAL BOX OFFICE OR BUY ON THE DOOR!