Together for Bedford

Ever since we were founded by Sir William Harpur in 1566, The Harpur Trust has been providing education and supporting the most disadvantaged people in Bedford www.harpurtrust.org.uk

We have grown and evolved hugely, yet we remain true to our roots. Our long-term strategic plan, Together for Bedford, commits us to invest in people’s futures, and to work for a whole generation to enable more children and young people facing disadvantage to achieve their potential.

Welcome to the 16th annual Bedford Festival Fringe. More than 140 events over 11 days across 4 venues!

Here we go again! Only this time you may have noticed we have gone for slightly higher quality print with our brochure We were basically getting fed up with the ink from the back page rubbing off onto our hands when distributing them! You may also notice an increase in events especially free music! That’s thanks to the musical legend that is Mat Roberts who has helped programme these extra acts –thanks Mat!

One of my highlights this year is a show called Priorité à Gauche: Secret Gig (July 29). This was in fact the first ever act I booked as a Bedford promoter so hugely excited that they are back on the road and coming to Bedfringe.

Almost half of this year’s programme is free or a voluntary donation with many other shows as low as £5 per ticket, so please do support these artists.

Many thanks to all our sponsors, performers and you, the audience Happy fringing!

James Pharaoh MBE Festival Director

Welcome to Bedfringe 2023! James may have some more letters after his name, but we know it’s us whose words you read avidly when you get your shiny new Bedfringe brochure We don’t think that our teenage selves, who first got involved in Bedfringe (2007 for Fi and 2008 for Lily), would quite believe that in 2023 we would have agents offering us their acts, record numbers of applicants or be going from strength to strength after a global pandemic, yet here we are, and we could not be prouder

This year, more than ever, there is a huge diversity of acts and performers we have been able to bring to Bedford. There is truly something for everyone, and we encourage you to see not only your favourites but also something totally new. Fringe offers a world of discovery with every hour bringing something new, this is the year to embrace that. Thank you so much for continuing to support Bedfringe, it means the world to us.

Please help us in shouting about it from the rooftops, tell your family, tell your friends, tell your enemies if you wish –we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (all @bedfringe) or do just go outside and shout from your literal roof top. We encourage all!

See you in July…

Fi Fowler – Co-Director and Lily Hannant – Assistant Director

Bedfringe Team

Director James Pharaoh

Co-Director Fiona Fowler

Assistant Director& Social Media ...................Lily Hannant

Branding Ian Renshaw

QUARRY THEATRE:

Director ......................................................James Pharaoh

Front of House Manager David Baxter

TECHNICAL STAFF:

James Doughty, Megan Holden, Charlie Faulkner, Jacob

Foster, Oli Milton, Jacob Newton, James Tearle.

FRONT OF HOUSE & BAR CASUALS:

Caroline Clark, Scarlett Dickson, Jessica Gray, Jessica

Hallett, Annette Hickey, Cally Lawrence, Helena

Prettyman, Shaunagh Shannon, Sara Turner, Suzie

Valentine

BEDFRINGE FRONT OF HOUSE VOLUNTEERS

(at time of going to print): Mark Steinhardt, Conrad

Staroscik, Hywel Thomas, Jackie Thomas, Bethan

Thomas, Jonny Hosking, Olly Walker, Logan Jones, Meo Ziccardi, Stephanie Watson, Turkan Ahmet, Ann Inskip.

SPONSORS

Event Categories

THIS YEAR’S CHARITY

For tickets visit: www bedfringe com