TW Fringe returns…

Fringe festival is now mainstream following success of its second year

TW Fringe, modelled on the world-famous Scottish capital’s arts festival, will see hundreds of events take place across Tunbridge Wells until July 17.

The two-week extravaganza returns to scores of venues in the town ranging from local pubs to community halls, churches, The Forum and The Pantiles.

There will be a mixture of free and fee-paying attractions.

Organisers say this year will see more artists, extra performances and new venues, in a sign that the carnival can outgrow its pandemic origins and become a permanent part of the Tunbridge Wells cultural scene.

For 2022, there are some 170 events at 47 venues across the town, organiser Debbie King said.

“Last year, a lot of creatives pulled together and started looking at all the amazing people we have in Tunbridge Wells. We also needed to get people back into our businesses – so many of them suffered as well,” recalled Debbie, who also runs performing arts school The Talentz.

She works with Nell Price of Arty Farty, comedian Aimee Cooper, and Grace Simpson of chocolatier Goupie.

Stressing the way in which the multi-location festival brought the town together, Debbie added: “I’ve met businesses that I never would have gone into before. But it was all about hope.

“In the first year (2021), there still ended up being restrictions, but two and a half thousand people still ended up coming to see things.

And, she said, the attraction of the festival this year is its accessibility. “It’s affordable. You can go and see an award-winning show. We’re helping businesses. We’re helping artists. Seeing shows offers a win-win-win all round.”

Funding from RTW Together’s Business Improvement District – means the festival now uses local suppliers – strengthening the festival’s investment in the community, said Debbie.

“We have more venues – this year, we are working at the (1,000-seat) Assembly Hall, with the ‘Scummy Mummies’,” Debbie noted.

Other new venues include Tangier Wood, a 10-acre private woodland near The Pantiles, the Pitcher & Piano on Church Road, Britten’s Music in Grove Hill Road, and even The Chapel hairdressers, Chapel Place.

During the two-week extravaganza, acts and performers will appear across the town at venues from local pubs to community halls, churches, The Forum and The Pantiles.

There will be a mixture of free and fee-paying attractions.

What to see at this year’s TW Fringe

For children

  • Cababarave! Thursday, July 14 at 2-4pm. Pitcher & Piano
  • Live Bands
  • Motor Raider. Saturday, July 16 at 6pm. Black Horse Pub
  • Local singer-songwriter Biddle. Sunday, July 10 at 2pm. Brittens Music Shop

 

Comedy

  • Thanyia Moore. Thursday, July 7 at 6:30pm. Zero Waste Company, Pantiles
  • Scummy Mummies (Ellie Gibson & Helen Thorn). Thursday, July 15 at 7:30pm. The Assembly Hall theatre

 

Theatre

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream(ish). Friday, July 15 at 7pm. Tangier Wood
  • The Comedy of Errors. Sunday, July 10 at 2:30, 6:30pm. Old Auction House.

 

 

 

Why is TW Fringe important for Tunbridge Wells?

  • It provides a diverse programme of arts at a range of price to allow accessibility for everyone
  • To provide paid work for local creatives
  • To provide social and work experience opportunities for volunteers
  • To bring the whole of Tunbridge Wells town centre together in a cultural community event
  • To increase economic development for all local businesses
  • To increase footfall in our town centre both from local residents and attracting visitors from outside
  • To provide free street theatre and workshops to those who may otherwise not be able to access the arts
  • To provide a stage for everyone inspiring a new generation of creatives to have the opportunity to grow
  • To bring awareness to our chosen local charities through arts events

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