The Liverpool Fringe Festival is back with a bang this Autumn, offering an exciting mix of theatre, comedy, and more. The Liverpool Fringe will take place in a range of venues across our great city from 5th to 14th October 2023, with an exciting line-up of productions showcasing the fantastic talents that the city has to offer. Including shows from Writers Inc Productions, Keyhole Theatre, Grin Theatre, and Valley Community Theatre, to name a few.

Set up in 2017, the festival has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of co-producers Steff Hudson and Mark Kyle Cooper, who came on board in 2019. Their aim is to provide a platform for talent and to attract audiences who might not necessarily feel comfortable in the usual theatrical environment, providing artists and audiences with the opportunity to mix in a way that no other festival can offer. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an exciting new act, the Fringe is open to anyone.

All you need is a show and a venue, then just register for the Fringe online. Through their website, Facebook, Instagram, and general posters, they will even promote the show. They are also able to help anyone who has difficulty finding a venue and, in some cases, even finding a cast and advising on who and what they will need to put on a show. Resident Dramaturg Kiefer Wesley Williams of Grin Theatre is also onboard, giving his services for free.

The Liverpool Fringe is not-for-profit and is run by volunteers who work hard, receive no remuneration, and plough back all profits into the Fringe. This is one of the main reasons I admire the people behind it—their dedication to the belief in the importance of the arts and creativity. They do it for the love of theatre. Co-Producer Steff Hudson says, “In this time of economic crisis, art is suffering, and our aim is to keep costs down so that people can afford to see and indeed put on shows. Art in all its forms is important for everyone's well-being.” I couldn’t agree more.

Steff also told me about an interesting fundraiser for the Fringe called the 24-Hour Play Festival. This involved writing, rehearsing, and performing several plays within 24 hours. Surely this was impossible? I was intrigued. The premise was a call-out to writers, directors, actors, and anyone interested. Turn up at a designated meeting place the night before the show. Those who turned up were put into groups of a writer, a director, and actors.

They also picked a prop that had to be included in the play. The writer then went away and wrote a 15-to-20-minute play overnight. The play had to be emailed to the organisers, the director, and the actors by 9 am the next morning. The actors and directors met up at 9:30 am and rehearsed the play to be put on that night at 7:30 pm. This year there were 5 plays, so that was 5 writers, 5 directors, and 12 actors willing to take up the challenge. Could they do it, or would there be blood on the carpet? But they did it, and it was a brilliant night. A fantastic fundraiser for the Fringe. Theatre by the seat of its pants!

The festival has been met with amazing feedback over the years and showcased some extraordinary talent. Having taken part in it myself as a director, I can honestly say it was one of my most enjoyable experiences. Like-minded individuals with a passion for the arts coming together to create something accessible as well as enjoyable—it is unforgettable.

So, my fellow creatives, what are you waiting for? Register for the Fringe now by visiting the website www.liverpoolfringe.co.uk. Registration this year is £25. If you need any help or advice, contact Steff Hudson by email at engagement@liverpoolfringe.co.uk or call 07933734292.

For those of you who are lovers of the arts, I urge you to secure your tickets for the upcoming shows as soon as possible. This is a festival you don’t want to miss!

Words by Elaine Louise Stewart.