11.68°C With 67 productions over ten days, Colchester Fringe has something for everyone! Here’s my selection of the national and international work coming to Colchester. As usual, this is not a definitive list; it’s just what’s caught my eye!
Forest of Truth/Flowers
GUMBO are back! That will only make sense to you if you saw their Colchester Pick of the Fringe award-winning show “Are You Lovin’ It?” last year! This highly original group from Japan returns with Forest of Truth, their surreal take on the Garden of Eden, and Flowers, which powerfully challenges gender stereotypes in a unique way. Honestly, they’re terrific, so expect the unexpected with this multi-award-winning troupe!
The Real Black Swann: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen
Now, this sounds intriguing. It tells the true story of William Dorsey Swann, a former slave who became the first Queen of Drag in the US in the 1880s and is also recognised as the first gay activist. Winner of multiple Fringe Awards, this is one not to be missed.
At War with Myself
A gay theatre maker recklessly joins the Army during the time when the ban on LGBTQ+ serving officers was in place. Why did he do that? Inspired by actual events, veteran Jon Hague raises the curtain on unexpected consequences and the conflict of cultures and camaraderie. This promises to be unique and very engaging.
A Year and a Day
This concept is intriguing. A curse placed on Nathan means he slips a year and a day every time he falls asleep. Leaving behind a botched heist, the love of his life, and an upset criminal gang, the show spans 65 years as Nathan tries to right his wrongs. It comes to us laden with excellent reviews and is recommended by the Artistic Director of the Fringe himself!
EastEndless
Do you love Miranda? Then catch James Holmes, who played waiter Clive, in this original show about another TV obsession—EastEnders! Fan Tony Coventry has every episode of the soap on tape—bar one—but when he gets a bit part on the show, his dream quickly turns into a nightmare! It has excellent reviews, this is a must-see, and you don’t even need an encyclopaedic knowledge of EastEnders!
Cereal for Dinner
Chris Young’s solo show recalls his working-class upbringing, where cereal was often the only thing for dinner. Some of it resonates with me, and we are promised a show filled with quick-fire, relatable gags and a box of lost-property flashbacks.
Burnt Out
My favourite show at last year’s Fringe was a dance piece, and I’m very drawn to physical theatre. From Australia comes this solo dance piece about climate catastrophe, bushfires, and fleeing nature. Partly based on personal experience, this is likely to be a powerful performance.
Crime Scene Improvisation
Already a Fringe hit, with sold-out performances for over a decade, including this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, it’s a joy to welcome this huge success to Colchester! The title gives it away—no one knows who the killer is, including the cast! It should be great fun!
Happily Ever Poofter
Like Disney? Enjoy Disney through a queer lens? Then join Prince Henry on his hilarious and heartbreaking quest for love! As the publicity for this show states, if Disney won’t write a gay love story, you’re going to have to do it yourself. From the creators behind the hit show Reclaiming Harry, this is one not to be missed!
Colchester Fringe runs from 25th October to 3rd November. Venues, times, and dates vary; book at Events Archive – Colchester Fringe (ssboxoffice.com)
Paul T. Davies
