Home Culture New Town Theatre announce 2013 Fringe programme

New Town Theatre announce 2013 Fringe programme

May 9, 2013 10:12 am

Today the New Town Theatre unveils a programme of Fringe debuts and international performances as part of Edinburgh International Festival Fringe running from 2-26 August 2013.

From 2 – 25 August Universal Quidem Ltd, a new partnership between Universal Arts and Quidem Productions, open the doors to ‘the most beautiful venue in the Festival’ – New Town Theatre a Freemasons’ Hall on George Street dating back to 1911.

Audiences are invited to enjoy world class artistes from across Europe and as far afield as Africa and America perform an eclectic mix of theatre, dance, music, comedy, circus and children’s shows on our two stages; Majestic and Mysterious, to which we add the historic Committee Room as a courtroom, as well as performances in the kitchen. In addition to an inside and outside bar, New Town Theatre is planning a crèche for the first time this year.

A line-up that truly has something for everyone, Universal Quidem Ltd proudly presents international star of stage and screen, Elizabeth McGovern, BBC Radio 2 legend Johnnie Walker, BAFTA nominated entertainer Richard Digance, film and TV favourites Steve Huison, Sue Cookson, Lucinda Curtis,Polly Highton and Britain’s third most performed playwright John Godber, joined by Fringe newcomers Ballet Central who performed at the 2012 Olympics, and Xara Vaughan a true chanteuse directed by Anita Dobson.

Theatre/Drama/Comedy

John Godber is back in Edinburgh after ten years with a brand new comedy, Losing The Plot, starring Steve Huison (The Full Monty) and Sue Cookson(Casualty). Jack walks out on his job, his wife and teenage children. Beside his bed are copies of Hot Sex Tips and Which Caravan magazine. Travelling Europe for three months to write his promised novel and live the life of an artist, he returns with no novel, no money and no idea why he’d left.

From the makers of the sell-out play ‘Dust’ The Oldest Man in Catford by Ade Morris in collaboration with Ralph Bernard and Quidem Productions isa touching, resonant and gently comic tale of Reg and the skeletons in his 106 year old closet.

The Boadicea of Britannia Street by Ade Morris, in association with Ralph Bernard and Quidem Productions, sees Fran Lamb, a journalist on the Winkham Weekly Snooze, set up a creative writing group that erupts in chaos. A touching, hilarious and sassy look at life, death and love through the eyes of four women played by 2011 Best Actress at the Fringe Nominee Lucinda Curtis (Brookside), Polly Highton (Coronation Street) Lizzie Lewis and Alice Bernard.

Something’s cooking in the kitchen. The Dumb Waiter from Spartan Ensemble severs piping hot Pinter twice a day as we watch Ben and Gus await their orders. Will it boil over?

Collected Stories from Langland Productions is a thrilling and compelling story of a young writer in New York City, who comes to study with her hero and mentor. Set over 6 years, this story will chill you to the bone!

The Ball at Stephen Hawking’s is a very unusual ball. There are no rotating pairs, no decorations and no orchestra. But then the sexuality of people with disabilities is still a taboo subject. Ball At Hawking’s is an empathetic, unfettered and inclusive performance from Teatr Arka of Poland.

Dance

Be Captivated is Ballet Central’s Festival debut. Bringing a dynamic programme that won roars of appreciation at 2012 Olympics. Their brilliant, vibrant, versatile dancers will thrill audiences of all ages.

Fait Accompli’s Ballesque is dance at its most daring and seductive. Classically trained dancers combine ballet and burlesque in a sensuous display of bodies and music, all performed with a heady dose of wit. Think high heels, husky cabaret singers, gaggles of male cygnets and a fan dance ménage a trois…

Two Pentacles flamenco hiphopera She Dances With Fate is the tale of a superbeing of fire, pursued by the Phoenix and the King of Dreams. Her path is savage as Time and Fate take their vengeance upon her.

Pearlesque from B’rillart Production KFT highlights the different faces of the Modern Woman: Alternately Seductive, Innocent, Dominant, Sensual, Passionate, Flirtatious, Powerful, Joyful, Sweet, Lovely. Pearlesque brings back the sexy entertainment with charm, elegance and wit.

Music

Fronted by Downton Abbey’s star Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora), Sadie and The Hotheads bring a brilliant fusion of folk and country to the Fringe for the first time. See the Countess as you’ve never seen her before!

Richard Digance makes his Edinburgh debut and headlines at Britain’s biggest folk festival at Cropredy this summer! 22 gigs and a guarantee that each show will be different, he promises certain old favourites and brand new material.

In another Fringe debut, Xara Vaughan is a true chanteuse born out of talent and circumstance. Former Stingfellows Angel, Punk singer and Buddhist nun, Xara is the genuine article. Musical direction and arrangements by Mark Aspinall with a little helping hand from lifelong friend Anita Dobson.

John Watterson is superb as Jake Thackray, one of Britain’s best loved singer/songwriters who performed weekly to millions on Esther Rantzen’s That’s Life, even though he hated fame. If you were one of the millions of fans he shunned, then Lah Di Dah – The Rise, Demise and Songs of Jake Thackray is a must see.

For one night only, Samba Sene & Diwan perform Africa Live! with authentic Senegalese Afrobeats, a pinch of ska and irresistible dance grooves from special guest musicians and dancers.

Talk/Interactive

Join BBC Radio 2 legend Johnnie Walker on his first visit to Edinburgh. The original pirate DJ on Radio Caroline, Johnnie is widely regarded as one of the finest radio interviewers today. He escapes the studio to uncover the real person behind the celebrity in a series of revealing, thought provoking and at times hilarious interviews from the world of music, arts, sports and politics.

Award-winning 2011 Fringe sell-out Silence In Court from EmeraldBLUE is back. Charles Brand is charged with raping Jennifer Lyons. Is he guilty or not guilty? Only you, the jury, can decide…in our courtroom somewhere, anywhere.

Children’s/Circus/Puppetry

Interactive children’s musical War of the Worms, from bestselling children’s author and singer Richard Digance, is full of gooey, gungy fun, telling the story of the first little creatures on earth who still survive having won the War of the Worms. Suitable for 6 -11 year olds.

In a sea of irreverent chaos and a world of knots, aerialists, acrobats and magicians twist and bend the frontiers of reality. Noodles, from the highly acclaimed NoFit State Circus, is the perfect lunch time dish; light-hearted and surreal with a side of complete madness.

The great puppet master, Philippe Genty, invites you to join Ulysses and his shipmates for an incredible journey – a Dustpan Odyssey. The wittiness of the text meets the virtuosity of object and puppet manipulation in this creative adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey.

Universal Quidem Chairman, Ralph Bernard CBE, commented: “After the success of ‘Dust’ in 2011, we couldn’t wait to get back to Edinburgh and I’m delighted with our creative partnership with Universal Arts Festival. With Tomek Borkowy’s 23 years’ experience of running Festival venues and the beauty and versatility of Freemasons’ Hall, we’re looking forward to delighting performers and audiences alike. To have secured John Godber’s first play in Edinburgh for 10 years is a major coup, and we’re sure Festival audiences will welcome Richard Digance and Johnnie Walker on their Edinburgh debuts.”