More than 15,000 people watched this summer’s fourth Greater Manchester Fringe shows at a wide variety of venues across the region.
There were 96 registered shows at venues that included Albert Square Chophouse, Gullivers, Guide Bridge Theatre (Audenshaw), Joshua Brooks, King’s Arms, Moston Miners, Moston Small Cinema, Nexus Art Café, Salford Arts Theatre, Taurus, The Castle Hotel, The Edge and The Font in Chorlton, Whitefield Garrick and Z-arts.
This added up to 239 performances and events. A total of 37 shows sold out before opening night with a further 98 selling out on the night.
Every show had the option to opt into the Greater Manchester Fringe Awards 2015 and the ones that did were watched and whittled down to a shortlist of nominations in each category.
The awards were presented by actress and comedian Jeni Williams.
Greater Manchester Fringe is a grass roots festival run by volunteers. Encompassing the best of Manchester’s alternative scene, including art, dance, theatre, new writing, cabaret, comedy, poetry, music, burlesque, workshops and free exhibitions, one of the highlights this year was Tim Peaks Diner at Albert Square Chophouse when actor Paddy Considine was in conversation with Dave Haslam and played with his band Riding The Low. The audience included Maxine Peake, Chris Gascoyne and Gillian Gilbert from New Order.
Director and co-founder Zena Barrie, who also runs Camden Fringe, said: “the Greater Manchester Fringe now feels like a movement... building its own momentum with tons of support from like-minded creatives.”
The awards went to
- Best Drama: Back Seat Betty by Joshua Val Martin at Joshua Brooks, performed by Jo Dakin.
- Best Comedy: Bump, Buckle Up Theatre at The King’s Arms, performed by Andrew Hollingworth and Oriana Charles.
- Best Newcomer: Quina Chapman for Banjo Man at the King’s Arms in Salford
- Best Spoken Word: Mouth, written by Christopher Bowles and performed at Taurus on Canal Street, Manchester.
- Best Revival/Adaptation: Under Manc Wood, by Chris Kelly and Penny Edwards at The King’s Arms in Salford.
- Most Innovative Use of Space: A Dream Play, Déjà vu Ensemble at Nexus Art Café, director Nuala Cavanagh and writer Rachel Connor.
- Spirit of the Fringe: Daniel Thackeray who starred in both Under Manc Wood and his own play Together in Electric Dreams. Presented by Dave Smith on behalf of sponsors Crabbie’s
- Best Venue: The Swan in Dobcross