The Free Fringe Ltd

Free Fringe shows are free to performers and free to audience. Please help us keep it that way and allow access to the arts for everyone.

Every August in Edinburgh The Free Fringe delivers 6,000 hours of quality comedy, theatre, cabaret, music, children’s, science, horror and spoken word for zero pounds.

At the Free Fringe the performer has paid nothing to us or the venue. There are no tickets, and the audience pays nothing either unless they want to donate at the end. Most do, some cannot afford to, and that’s all good.

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Hothouse Theatre Pod 01

This is a brief report to our members, friends and supporters, to let them know what we've been up to over the last 12 months.

It contains short audio extracts from some of the projects with brief introductions.

This is the first episode of our new Hothouse Theatre Podcast, and it will be followed up more in the future featuring full episodes of audio dramas, poems and short yarns. Watch this space!

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Theatre Royal, Nottingham

A seemingly simple purchase of contemporary art – an all-white painting – ignites a hilarious debate amongst three close friends. What begins as a light-hearted discussion about art quickly descends into a riotous exploration of the blurred lines between art and reality.

This multi-award winning play (winner of Best Comedy at the Olivier Awards, Tony Awards and Moliere Awards) is a razor sharp exploration of art, love and friendship that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.

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Nottingham Playhouse

In this election year – with the country in turmoil – there’s only one comedian who can kill the mood even further…

Nish Kumar – one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century – is back on tour with his brand new politically-charged stand-up show, Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe.

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Neville Studio, Nottingham Playhouse

"I wish I could say here our story starts. But this story starts later, and ended earlier. Is entirely fictional, and completely true. Voila."

WINNER OF THE SUMMERHALL LUSTRUM AWARD

NOMINATED FOR THE BBC POPCORN AWARD FOR NEW WRITING

In 2021, Hannah Maxwell moved back to the Home Counties to care for her terminally ill grandfather. But this show isn’t about that. It’s about France’s Eurovision star Barbara Pravi, who’s just lovely.

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Lakeside Arts, Nottingham

Join us for a dance workshop that delves into the creative process behind Adaire to Dance's latest work, Tender Steps. Led by Artistic Director Alice Marshall.

This unique opportunity invites participants to explore how her lived experience of babyloss has influenced and shaped the work.

Through movement, storytelling, and creative exploration, you will gain insight into the emotional and artistic journey behind the film. The workshop is open to all who have an interest in dance, movement, and creativity, regardless of experience level.

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Nottingham Playhouse

A man in a battle with his identity, and on a journey through the depths of Black-British culture, class, and belonging.

What happens if you’re not black enough for the ends, but too black for the rest of the world?

Tones combines the gritty underground sounds of Hip-Hop, Grime and Drill with the melodrama of Opera to present a piece of gig theatre like no other, as Jerome, aka The Professor, navigates his way through a treacherous path to self-discovery.

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Nottingham Playhouse

NOW, a new creation by choreographer Jasmin Vardimon MBE, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Jasmin Vardimon Company.

It will reflect the current moment, the present, the now, and the continuous movement of time.

With an interest in contemporary lives, the structures of our society, and the ever-changing socio-political dynamics, Jasmin uses her distinctive dance theatre and creative approach to tell a story of our time.

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Nottingham Arts Theatre

Rita, Sue and Bob Too is a twisted, dark and hilarious comedy drama that tells the story of Rita and Sue, two working class girls from a rundown Bradford council estate who are about to finish their final year at school. In their spare time, they earn money babysitting for married couple Bob and Michelle. Behind Michelle’s back, Bob embarks on an affair with both Rita and Sue, who are both hungry for adult adventure. It is only a matter of time before Michelle and Sue's parents finds out and when they do sparks most definitely fly!

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Nottingham Playhouse

Hitchcock meets Lord of the Flies in this exciting new comedy-thriller by emerging writer Josie White.

Three young, regional actresses: Saoirse, Coco and Sonia are struggling to survive in London. Their shared dream is dwindling away quicker than their bank balances. But who needs electricity? Or Netflix? Every night, through their grotty living room window, the antiheroes have a front row seat to observe the life of Instagram ‘celebrity’ Iris Montague-Willis.

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Nottingham Playhouse

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.

Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.

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Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, Newark

The enchantment never ends in this romantic and beloved take on the classic fairytale. Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.

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Theatre Royal, Nottingham

There is nothing more than to love and be loved.

Starring award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the role of Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, James Esler (Litvinenko) and Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show, And Then There Were None (BBC)).

Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss returns to the stage marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel. The critically acclaimed show returns in a brand-new production for 2024. Telling the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.

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Nottingham Playhouse

Renowned for her extraordinary portrayals in Succession, Killing Eve and Ted Lasso, Dame Harriet Walter is also one of Britain's most esteemed Shakespearean actors.

Now, having had the experience of playing so many of Shakespeare’s roles, she re-imagines what some of his women might have been secretly thinking and lets them speak their minds.

Live on stage with special guests, Harriet will perform pieces from her new book, She Speaks!

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Nottingham Playhouse

Amplify Festival is our annual celebration of artists from across the wider Midlands regions and this year will take place 21 – 26 October.

The festival will feature a host of new and exciting work from the region, alongside scratch performances, networking opportunities, workshops, and panel discussions, it’s a place for artists and audience to come together to delight and invest in local talent.

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