Excuse the lack of updates, but with Buxton Fringe performances and Durham Free Fringe preparations going on, I haven't had much time for updates. If you've been following Instagram or Bluesky you should have a better idea of what's going on.

But we're actually doing it. It starts tomorrow, with ten performances of six acts over five days in two venues. Gotta rush, so here's a reprint of the press release.

Would love to see you this week. And we now have an actual website.

Durham Free Fringe brings a stage for everyone

A new festival comes to Durham this July to build on the success of Durham Fringe. Modelled on Edinburgh Free Fringe, an intiative that made performing at Edinburgh more accessible to artists, Durham Free Fringe will run alongside Durham Fringe on the 23^rd - 27^th July.

There are no fees to take part, and all performances are free to watch, with audiences invited to make donations to the performers after each show. The reason this is possible is that the Free Fringe recognises that many acts do not need pop-up theatre spaces with full sound and lighting equipment; for performances such as stand-up comedy, stoytelling and poetry, only a room in a pub is needed. Without such labour-intensive overheads, it is possible to open up performance opportunities to many more acts.

In its first year, Durham Free Fringe will be kept small and manageable. Run by Aadil Kurji leading on comedy and Chris Neville-Smith leading on theatre, Durham Free Fringe will by primarily based at The Holy GrAle, with The Station House running as a secondary venue on Saturday 26^th. The programme for the first year includes:

• Philosophy Storytime: Erotic Tales of and for Lovers of Wisdom. Previously debuted at Dundee Fringe, a one-person performance from Kathrine Cuccuru that combines storytelling and philosophical discussion. Showing on Wednesday 23^rd and Thursday 24^th July at the Holy GrAle at 6.00 p.m.
• It’s Not Cluedo! Chris Neville-Smith’s comedy game show developed with the Rotunda at Brighton Fringe finally comes home to Durham. Choose your own setting, you own murder victim, and your own list of six suspects, six weapons and nine locations. Showing on Wednesday 23^rd at the Holy GrAle at 7.30 p.m.
• (Just off the) Bailey Banter: Aadil Kurji’s mixed bill stand-up comedy sets. All welcome, from new comedians trying out new sets to established comedians with samples from larger shows. Showing on Thursday 24^th July and Friday 25^th July at the Holy GrAle at 7.30 p.m.
• The Durham Improv Jam: Your chance to come and play some improv games, or watch other performers take to the stage, in a relaxed and unscripted interactive show. Join us for an hour jam-packed full of laughs! Friday 25^th July at 4.30 p.m.
• Caitriona Dowden: Dance Like Everyone's Dancing: Following her double award-nominated debut, she returns with a feel-good show about apocalyptic dread (and the 1518 dancing plague). Showing on Friday 25^th July at the Holy GrAle at 6.00 p.m, then Saturday 26^th at the Station House at 2.00 p.m.
• Doctor Coppelius: Chris Neville-Smith’s storytelling play about the tragic villain from the ballet Coppelia. We see Doctor Coppelius’s journey from an idyllic youthful love story to the sinister puppet-master he became. Showing on Saturday 26^th at the Station House at 3.00 p.m, then Sunday 27^th May at 4.00 p.m. at the Holy Grale.

Entry to all shows are free and unticketed.