London fringe theatre - three standout comedy events
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Historically, fringe theatre referred to alternative theatre that was performed on the fringe of larger events. London's West End is home to some truly class productions – Les Misérables, Blood Brothers and The Woman in Black to name a few – but stray away from the beaten track and some true delights can be found.
London's fringe can refer to established theatres that are not in the West End, or smaller, niche productions in pubs, clubs and other venues. Fringe productions tend to have much shorter runs than their West End counterparts and often showcase the more experimental facets of creative talent.
Viral Sutra by David Carter
Running times: 15 August – 2 September 2006
Venue: Finborough Theatre
Official Website: http://www.viralsutra.com/
"The story of an everyday HIV virus struggling for survival, wondering about God, the nature of self, the reason for existence, and the threat posed by readily available condoms."
In 1998, David Carter entered a treatment centre for crack and heroin addiction after contracting the HIV virus. This startlingly original and hard-hitting black comedy takes place within the body of the playwright, with the actors playing components of this deadly virus.
The Vegemite Tales by Melanie Tait
Running times: 27 Jul – 23 Sep 2006
Venue: The Venue Theatre
Official Website: http://www.thevegemitetales.com/
This critically acclaimed cult comedy follows a group of five Aussies and an Italian sharing a flat in Hammersmith. Fast-paced, witty and sitcom-esque, this show has been hailed as Australia's answer to Friends. Whilst immediately accessible, if a little predictable at times, The Vegemite Tales is nonetheless a deceptively complex, dryly written comedy that succeeds in capturing the antipodean spirit.
Blue Pepper by Miles Eady and Liam J. Stratton
Running times: 26 Aug – 27 Aug 2006
Venue: Etcetera Theatre
Website: http://etceteratheatre.com/
"Thrill to the incredible Dr. Golby’ s anthropological talk on Northerners, [...] shriek at the shocking sharpness of Sherlock Poirot, join in the dastardly debate of Pants vs. Boxers and drop your jaws to the Binge Drink Drag."
Eady and Stratton have carved themselves a strong reputation out of London's ever-flourishing comedy scene. Blue Pepper is a series of inventive comedy sketches that have been compared to the likes of "the two Ronnies" by broadsheet newspaper The Independent. A highly dynamic show, Blue Pepper fuses musical performance, slapstick comedy and audience participation to deliver a must-see fringe event this summer.
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