A Lancashire Fringe Festival takes over several venues around Preston from next Wednesday—and for all events you pay what you decide.
It promises hard-hitting, controversial and funny shows from several contemporary performers all aiming to appeal to a wide range of audiences, and includes everything from comedy and poetry to performances covering complex social issues.
Several newly-commissioned pieces of work by local artists have been included, so regional talent gets a chance to perform to a wider audience. This includes Neil Procter's Lancashire People's Theatre which has paired 14 Lancashire-based writers with professional actors to deliver a series of monologues over two nights.
Preston Central Methodist Church hosts Katie O'Brien's Catch 22 Years, which examines addiction in a unique performance by an award-winning actress.
The Harris Museum hosts four pieces of theatre on Saturday, May 18, kicking off with Dan de le Motte's comedy-lecture about the Royal Family and Daily Mail Online message boards.
Writer and performer Louise Orwin brings her new show Oh Yes Oh No to The Continental on Sunday, May 19 and the following night at The Ferret sees new work by Lancashire's Ruth E Cockburn alongside A Rock N Roll Suicide by Lee Mark Jones.
Lancashire Fringe Festival, created by local producer Garry Cook, is all Pay What You Decide, where audiences make an optional donation at the end of each show. Garry has already staged several one-off events in the city this year, including poet Hollie McNish at the Harris Museum for a sell-out gig in March.
Lancashire Fringe Festival takes place from May 15 to 24 in various venues across the city.