comedy

SIMON MUNNERY’S JERUSALEM

Using William Blake’s poem (B-side to the national anthem) and The Fall’s take on it as a springboard, Simon will endeavour to serve up a fine blend of satire, comedy and poetry with one eye on the distant past, and the other locked laserlike on the future.

It’s clearly a recipe for disaster, but what’s wrong with that? Something will come of it, and you can call it art. “Quite simply, one of the comedians in the country” THE TIMES

SOOZ KEMPNER: Y2K WOMAN (WIP)

The award-winning, viral sensation bring to Bedfringe a brand-new hour following her sellout 2022 run at Edinburgh

As the year 2000 approached, Sooz was about to turn 15 and the PlayStation 2 was about to launch it was a new beginning for the world

But with the Millennium Bug, was the world also about to end!?

£5/£7 50/£10 Pay what you can

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Sunday July 23 – 6.00pm 60mins

THAT’S SO SKETCHY!

Second Class Entertainment are coming to the Bedford Fringe for the very first time with their comedy sketch production entitled ‘That’s So Sketchy!’ Audience members can expect to see some of our darkest, and most taboo content to date All mixed in with some of our classier, sophisticated, sillier and more clever sketches There really is something for everyone!

Second Class Entertainment pride themselves on being theatrically innovative and creative with our shows, offering an evening of sketch comedy that involves wit, social commentary, slapstick, silliness and some quite visually detailed performances We are extremely passionate about comedy, especially the classics from a time when people were more open to joking about real life situations in a way that brings people together instead of dividing them

However, we also don’t believe in punching down with our comedy and always do our best to stay true to that

You can expect an array of our best comical characters, to give you that all important enjoyable evening full of laughter and hijinks

£8.00

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 18yrs+

Thurs & Fri July 27 & 28 – 6.00pm 60mins

For tickets visit: www bedfringe com

Now, almost a quarter of a century later, things feel eerily similar New millennium, video games, Alanis Morissette a show for anyone who remembers the year 2000 or had big dreams as a kid

“Kempner has funny bones” ★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN

“Brilliant” LA TIMES

£10 00

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Saturday July 22 – 9.00pm 60mins

VITTORIO ANGELONE: WHY DO YOU THINK YOU

ARE? I AM! (WIP)

Fresh off of a sold-out fringe run, Best Newcomer Nominee 2022 Vittorio Angelone presents a work in progress version of his 2023 show with the provisional title: Who Do You Think You Are? I Am!

It’ll be about perception and identity and insecurity and words Loads of stuff about words Mostly because every joke is about words and he hasn’t written the stuff yet and is trying not to lie, but some excellent ideas are cooking!

Quotes time baby:

“Just wow” ★★★★½ CHORTLE

“Outstanding” ★★★★★ THE STUDENT

£10.00

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Sunday July 23 – 8.00pm 60mins

For tickets visit: www bedfringe com

A Caravan Named Desire

“Alexander and Helen have created a new play and it’s all true, completely true except for the bits that aren’t ”

Working from a caravan has its ups and downs Clients come and go Ask them no questions and they’ll tell you no lies, just take the money at the door But something’s different about this new client.

Discreet, professional, clean and tested

For a good time, come to the caravan. Your desire for hire.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

Awards & Nominations for previous work:

Nominated for Off Fest Award

Nominated for UK / West End Awards for Best Direction of a New Production of a Play – Helen Millington Best Leading Performer in a New Production of a Play – Alexander Millington

Best Musical Direction of a New Production of a Play or Musical –Helen Millington

£10 00

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Saturday July 29 – 2.00pm & 6.00pm 60mins

Chicken Pasta

George and Kat have just bought their very first flat in Dalston George eats well, exercises and embraces life fully George has Bowel Cancer He doesn’t deserve to die and yet he is dying Kat eats- not always wellshe tries exercise, but mostly she prefers to stay at home on the sofa Kat thinks Bowel Cancer is for old people. Kat is wrong.

Chicken pasta

The Big C is looming- not Chicken Pasta, Cancer And sadly, George and Kat can’t even decide what to make for dinner, let alone plan a funeral service The couple have important decisions to make and in the grand scheme of things; Chicken Pasta for dinner is probably the easiest

A humorous yet heart wrenching exploration of love and loss; Chicken Pasta is a tribute to those coping with terminal cancer at a young age and the loved ones they must leave behind

£12.00 (£10 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 16yrs+

Sunday July 23 4pm & July 30 – 2pm 60mins

Agnes

In 304 AD Agnes of Rome was executed at the age of 12 after rejecting the advances of grown men We follow Agnes after her ascension to sainthood as she reckons with her powers, identity and distorted legacy The audience join Agnes on a revenge mission through time to track down her murderers

Combining shadow puppetry, music, and a healthy dose of time travel, Agnes is a new show by ‘THE company to watch’ Ricochet Theatre with their signature humour and poignancy

Earlier this year Agnes was shortlisted for the Charlie Hartill Award, and Ricochet can’t wait to come back to Bedfringe with this work-inprogress performance, where they were awarded ‘Pick of the Fringe’ in 2021

“Ricochet Theatre are the ones to watch”

★★★★★ GET YOUR COATS ON

“Deeply affecting” ★★★★ THE STAGE (for The Same Rain That Falls on Me)

“Breathtaking” ★★★★★ WEST END BEST FRIEND (for Elegies)

£5/£7 50/£10 Pay what you can

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Sat July 29 4pm & Sun July 30 – 12noon 60mins

Children Of The Revolution

Multi-Award-winning Jonathan Brown plays, in lightning-fast succession, 65 distinct moments from the 70s, the people, the events, the musicians, the upheavals, the iconic junctures that shaped our world

Bathed in the soundscapes and music of the times, enhanced by the audience’s memories and imaginations, Jonathan takes you back into a world that was both revolutionary and challenging Funny, poignant, moving

“Outstanding show, masterly, such integrity, both hilarious and chilling by turns FRINGE REVIEW MAY 2022

“ writer Jonathan Brown knows how to drive a plot ”

LYN GARDNER, THE GUARDIAN

The International Fringe Encore Series Award 2022

£14.00 (£12 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Sunday July 30 – 12.30noon 90mins

For tickets visit: www bedfringe com

The Debra Kadabra Show

Bedfringe 2023 sees the grimly inevitable return of Debra Kadabra and her bag of tricks

Despite popular demand, Debra has insisted on another performance, so if you’re in the mood for magic, crave some conjuring, or prefer some prestidigitation, come along and join the fun!

FAUSTINE “SIGN. DO IT FOR WOMANKIND.”

Marlowe’s Faustus – but make him female and on the verge of freeing womankind. After her radical PhD thesis is rejected, Faustine accidentally summons the demon Mephistophilis, who offers to eradicate female pain in exchange for Faustine’s soul

Now, the end of female biological oppression hinges on one vital question: Will Faustine sign?

FAUSTINE is a one-act, dark comedy play which explores gender bias in medical research, endometriosis and female pain, and asks how far is too far to fight for your cause

Think: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets Fleabag

£5/£7 50/£10 Pay what you can

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Saturday July 29 – 9.30pm 30mins

THE GENEVA CONVENTION OF HUMAN F**KS

Performed exclusively by women, this bold and uncompromising production takes audiences on a wild journey as three men embark on a sex tour across Europe, delving into the ethics of their actions and confronting various societal issues head-on As the trio navigates ethical dilemmas surrounding prostitution, the #metoo movement, sex trafficking, and even global warming, audiences are in for a thought-provoking ride Brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience that will challenge your perceptions and make you consider whether you should laugh or cry

“A thought-provoking, razor-sharp piece A real highlight of the festival " ANNA MILLWARD, PROGRAMMING NOZSTOCK FESTIVAL

"Geneva Convention was one of my top picks of the festival It's a hysterical take on toxic masculinity that will make you think as much as it makes you laugh "

ALEX JACKSON, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, EXETER FRINGE FESTIVAL

£5/£7.50/£10 Pay what you can

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 18yrs+

Wednesday July 26 – 6.30pm 60mins

£12 00 (£10 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Sat July 22 & Sun July 23 – 6.00pm 70mins

THE GOLDEN FLEECE (WIP)

Following the death of his father, Ben returns to the small village where he grew up having been drawn away to the bright lights of the capital for a number of years

Set in the country pub that provided the venue for some of the key moments of his youth, he grapples with grief, belonging and nostalgia for a reasonably priced pint

This is the story about the hundreds of thousands of people who move away from their small town or village to seek their fortune in the big city Of those who never end up leaving And finally, those who decide to come home

This will be a work in progress sharing of ‘The Golden Fleece’, the first full-length play by Bedford born writer James Underwood.

£5/£7.50/£10 Pay what you can

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 12yrs+

Saturday July 29 – 3.00pm 60mins

Hidden Stories

Has the British Justice System failed women? Two new and powerful playlets uncover the true stories of Ruth Ellis and Edith Thompson hanged and executed for murder and looks at the severe miscarriage of justice created by the English legal system.

Now You See Me

Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in England in 1955 She admitted to the murder of her lover David Blakely – a violent and controlling man who caused Ruth to miscarry days before his death. A male friend gave Ruth a gun and showed her how to use it He was never questioned

Darlint Peidi

Edith Thompson was executed in 1923 alongside her young lover Frederick Bywaters She apparently knew nothing of the plan to murder her husband Bywaters always maintained he acted alone, but Thompson was older and seen as an immoral seducer. Was she executed for adultery rather than murder?

Supported by Arts Council England

£12 00 (£10 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Saturday July 22 – 3.30pm 90mins

Life Under The Sun

A theatre show that explores the biggest question of all:

“What’s the point?”

Features underpants, pompous man-servants, self-deprecating witticisms, an existential crisis and one giant hangover

King Solomon was a man who had it all

Life Under The Sun is a one man show based on the book of Ecclesiastes Well described as Blackadder meets the Bible, it is a dark comedy with a unique mix of ancient verse offset against pantomime and the dry wit of stand-up. “Few works of visual arts down the centuries can boast of matching Scripture’s vision of Solomon’s magnificent desolation as it is rendered in Holy prose. Bathurst’s startling and ambitious ‘Life Under The Sun is one of them” ★★★★ GET YOUR COATS ON 60 minutes duration includes 10 minutes post show Q & A

£10.00

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Friday July 21 – 6.30pm 60mins + 10mins Q&A

KRAVITZ, COHEN, BERNSTEIN & ME

Multi-award-winning Kiwi/Canadian/Jewish comedienne, Deb Filler, goes on a hilarious musical quest meeting ‘The Three Lennys’ even singing The Beatles in Yiddish!

We're transfixed by "a masterful tour de force” of (mostly) true storytelling

With only a guitar and a raft of lovable characters, this jam-packed, deeply humorous show is a loveletter to the Jewish language, music and mentors, whose empowering influence will linger long after curtain down

Directed by Sarah-Louise Young (An Evening Without Kate Bush)

“Magnificent! Dazzing! Stunning!” BOSTON GLOBE

“Enchantingly intimate, filled with gusto, charm, brilliance, talent and chutzpah To miss her would be madness!” NZ HERALD

“What makes her performance so irresistible is her innate mimetic genius her sharp, compassionate observation of people, her instinct for spot-on timing and just-right exaggeration” VANCOUVER OBSERVER

£12 50

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Friday July 28 – 7.30pm 70mins

Man Of The Stage

Man Of The Stage tells the story of ex accomplished actor Roger Montague and his life beyond the stage door

£10.00 (£8 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 12yrs+

Saturday July 22 – 3.00pm 55mins

Wednesday June ??

NUMB NUTS, A NEW COMEDY BY BEN HENDERSON

To help create more jobs for actors, it’s been decreed that Numb Nuts Satellite Home Integrated

Theatres should be installed in homes across the nation.

Home owners, used to the world of Sky and Netflix, must believe they still have complete control of what they choose to watch Contracted actors must enter the homes surreptitiously, and live unseen and unheard by the residents when they’re not performing

The whole deceit is made entirely feasible through the use of a specially formulated spray, Numb Nuts

Sit back and watch as the action unfolds at Kim and Bernie’s house StageWrite is LifeBox Theatre’s new writing for theatre initiative Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lifeboxtheatre

£10 00

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 12yrs+

Sat July 23 – 5pm Mon July 24 – 8pm 50mins

PICASSO: LE MONSTRE SACRÉ

A visceral, uncompromising portrait of Pablo Picasso 50 years after his death…

Undisputed genius, visionary artist, yet Picasso’s obsession often destroyed those he professed to love….

Brilliantly incarnated by Peter Tate, in a challenging, powerful, intelligent study, Picasso passionately defends his reputation

It’s an explosive, deeply passionate voyage of self-revelation, leaving the audience as his jury should we condemn or forgive?

“Engaging, enthralling and exciting! A fascinating portrait ” REVIEWSHUB

“Witty and fun, yet visceral and uncomfortable!” THE UPCOMING

“Captures his bullish essence through Tate’s convincing performance ” THEATRE&ARTSREVIEWS

Paul Robeson By Phillip Hayes Dean

A powerful chronicle of the life and music of Paul Robeson, taking us from his childhood in New Jersey to his adult life around the world

An All-American athlete and a lawyer with Columbia Law School credentials, Robeson comes face to face with racism in America

For tickets visit: www bedfringe com

£12.50

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Thursday July 27 – 7.30pm 70mins

Realizing he could not practice as a lawyer, Robeson turns to singing, which leads to acting and his acting leads him around the world

After spending time in Europe, he returns to the United States, but is accused of being a Communist, an agitator and much more He is blacklisted and his passport is revoked

But, as the social climate finally begins to change, Robeson perseveres, achieving the glory and respect he rightly earned

£10 00 (£8 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 14yrs+

Mon-Wed July 24 7.30pm, 25 6pm, 26 5pm 60mins

For tickets visit: www bedfringe

Suzi Of The Dress

By Albert Welling

Counsellor Suzie does not expect her next client to be the Prince of Denmark, but Hamlet needs serious advice

His life is a mess

Suzie’s post-Freudian approach to this Elizabethan enigma proves a challenge for both counsellor and counselee, producing fireworks neither expect

He’s an arrogant hothead, she’s a cool professional and both are certain they can get inside the other’s head

Smart and insightful, this new play from UK playwright Albert Welling is full of surprises

£10 00 (£8 concessions)

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 12yrs+

Mon-Tues July 24-26 – 5.00pm 60mins

Twisted Tales

A cast of six regal actors are confined to the space of a gym mat whilst showcasing four folk tales which all end with a twist Platform Theatre relies solely on the actor’s arsenal to create props, set, costume and sound to build the very world in which they tell their story

A group of thespians stumble upon an ominous book filled with grisly and gory tales.

Will the thespians be bound to act as the book’s puppets, destined for a life of performing but never truly free?

This piece explores the stories we all know and love, from Red Riding Hood’s gruesome tale, to the Saga of the almighty Vikings, all in a way that you have never seen before!

“Twisted Tales serves as an excellent example of the type of boundary pushing theatre that is out there if you know where to look ”

THE REVIEWS HUB

Best Direction: Totton Theatre Festival

Winner: Totton Theatre Festival

Winner: Frome Theatre Festival

£5/£7 50/£10 Pay what you can

THE QUARRY THEATRE STUDIO

THE QUARRY THEATRE, BEDFORD 12yrs+

Saturday July 22 – 5.00pm

60mins

For tickets visit: www bedfringe com

Burlesque Pg

Kinetic Vibes Dance Academy return once again to the Fringe

A subtle burlesque theme running through our show, with tap dance, street, ballet, modern and contemporary styles being performed