Local talent at the Guildford Fringe

by

The Guildford Fringe returns for another year of incredible entertainment. William Gadsby Peet meets the Surrey locals performing at the festival this year

Pleb Theatre Company

  • What exactly is walkabout theatre?

Walkabout theatre is exactly what it says on the tin. Rather than promenade where the audiences moves, the show find it’s audience! An accessible style that travels through an event or venue in search of eager crowds.

  • What can we look forward to from Wizahhhdz?

The wizahhhdz can find the magic in everything from umbrellas, buildings or even people. Our Wizahhhdz will wonder the streets of Guildford welcoming all who wish to join or even compete against us with your magic.

  • Griffin & Jones are also performing, who’s better at magic, you or them?

Have you seen our hats? It’s us.

  • Best wizarding joke…

How many wizahhhhdz does it take to change a light bulb? Two, one to change the light bulb and the other to make magic noises...

  • Snog, marry, avoid: Gandalf, Harry Potter, Merlin?

Snog Merlin, Marry Potter, avoid Gandalf (We SHALL pass)

Pleb Theatre will be performing Wizahhhdz on the streets of Guildford on June 30 and July 1 as part of the Free Fringe. For more information, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Griffin & Jones 

  • What made you want to become magicians?

It was either 100hrs community service or become professional magicians, so we chose the latter. Some days we regret that decision. Also, we are both naturally shifty people, so nothing delights us more than pulling the wool over an audience’s eyes

  • Greatest magician of all time (other than yourselves, of course)?

That is too hard a question to answer with just one name as there have been countless legends in magic who all excel in their own way. But in our opinion the greatest performing magician in the world right now is Derren Brown. He is doing things that are head and shoulders above the rest.

  • You’re leading a Victorian séance, are you actually expecting to get through to the other side?

Absolutely 100%. We have contacted the other side many times before and we will do again. The seance shows are different every time we do them and are always a chilling experience.

  • Anyone in particular you’ll be trying to contact?

That is a closely guarded secret between ourselves and our audience. You'll just have to come and find out.

  • Favourite magic trick…

It's like asking a guitarist what their favourite note is! But a magic trick we have both been very fond of for many years was performed by one of our heroes, Tom Mullica. It's difficult to describe the entire routine but it ends with him swallowing 12 lit cigarettes at once. It has to be seen to be believed.

Griffin & Jones perform Homemade Miracles at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on July 14. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

The magical duo will also be conducting a Victorian Seance at The Keep Pub on July 22. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

The Dirty Carols

  • Interesting name, what exactly are the Dirty Carols?

We are four oh-so-kind-of-lovely Guildford/Texas/French women who sing rude and funny songs nicely. None of us are called Carol. All of us are a bit dirty.

  • How did you guys come about?

Most of us met in a sweet little community choir called Bellfields Community Choir (RIP). Back in 2014, Louise (stand-up comedy poet) decided to write some daft lyrics for some Christmas carols and then the rest of us (Lorna, Elizabeth, Sandrine) thought it would be a good idea to sing them in open mics in Guildford. People laughed a lot, which only encouraged us, so we did it some more and then had our own shows e.g. the lovely Guildford Fringe. We all think that you might as well have an adventure singing funny songs in front of strangers before you die.

  • Why is your show titled A Donkey Called Keith?

There is a donkey called Keith in it. Not a real donkey (we weren't allowed). We would love a real donkey. Can we have a real donkey? Can we call her Keith?

Also, because we had to think of a name for our show really quickly, so we took 3 seconds to grab a lyric out of one of our songs that didn't involve anything ruder than donkeys or the name Keith.

  • Who is the funniest out of the quartet?

It depends on your sense of humour. Here's a quick analysis:

Louise writes funny stuff, loves animals (except kittens), doesn't eat meat (except kittens).

Lorna says funny stuff but is dangerous to be near e.g. once she set fire to her leg.

Elizabeth does funny stuff e.g. arrange her shoes from north to south depending on wind direction.

Sandrine is French, which is all you need to know.

  • Rhyming couplet from your show with absolutely no context attached…

Couldn't find a dactylic hexameter, so will this do?:

"You took me for grub at the Bullingdon Club with all of your cronies, I wasn't impressed with all of you dressed like My Little Ponies."

[Editor's note: yes it very much will]

The Dirty Carols will be performing A Donkey Called Keith in the back room of the Star Inn on July 14 and 21. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com/

Paul Kerensa

  • What got you in to comedy?

I was at Guildford School of Acting. As they showed us the door, they said, “Anything you can do, put on your CV. Tap-dancing. Rollerskating. French-speaking. Clean driving licence.” I didn’t even have a clean driving licence, so I thought I’d try stand-up once to say I’d done it. Then I fell for it. It was love at first mic. My first gigs were in Redhill, Guildford and Woking, and I totally caught the bug. Then I did gigs in Wigan, Swansea and Norwich and recovered from that bug again… but the nice gigs always drag you back.

  • You’ve written for a lot of great British TV shows, what’s been your favourite one to work on and why?

There was something special about doing the TFI Friday revival. The other shows have been great too, but when you get to work and find U2, Take That, Kylie… and there’s a bar – well you can hardly call it work.

  • What’s Miranda Hart like?

Just as tall as she appears on TV. Well, depending on the size of your television. She doesn’t fall over quite as much as her sitcom character, but she’s very very lovely.

  • Your second show is a Christmas play. In July. Explain…

I spent two years researching the history of Christmas for a book released last year (Hark! The Biography of Christmas) I was the weird guy taking out all the Christmas books from Guildford Library in June. I wanted to write a play about what I’d discovered - Charles Dickens getting the idea for the classic English Christmas from an American of all people (the same American who created Sleepy Hollow and the word ‘knickers’); Prince Albert hanging upside-down Christmas trees as chandeliers; Victoria and Albert’s honeymoon being ruined by Dickens rolling around in the mud beneath Windsor Castle cos Charles fancied Victoria… I couldn’t wait to tell them. So I’m telling them in July – largely because Guildford Fringe isn’t on in December.

  • You’re a local boy born and bred, what keeps you coming back to Guildford?

I’ve never left. I love it here. I was at school here, then drama school, and now my children go to school here. I could leave, but it’d make the school run a bit long. And how can you leave behind the cobbled high street, the downs, the River Wey, Guildford Cathedral, The Village… (oh, we don’t talk about The Village - sorry).

Paul Kerensa will be performing his stand up show Work in Regress in the back room of The Star Inn on July 7. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Paul will also be performing his radio play Three Wise Men in the back room of The Star Inn on July 19. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

The Travesty of Richard III

  • Editing Shakespeare requires a certain level of bravery, what was it like altering the work of our greatest playwright?

My co-writer and fellow cast member, Helen Manners, did most of the work stripping down a very long, complex and hard-to-follow play into a much shorter, complex and hard-to-follow play. Then once we had the bones of the plot I mixed in original text with “fake Shakespeare” and modern language. The result is an improvement, we're sure. OK - it's basically a pantomime with Richard III and some wailing old queens in it.

  • Two actors playing every part, how hard has that been to organise?

I'm not sure "organise" is the right word. In terms of costume changes, it's a frantic scramble for each of us to become the next person - then slip serenely on to the stage. We cut out half the characters and left in the ones we enjoy playing - they're either mad, sad or very bad...

  • Why did you choose Richard III?

Many years ago, I auditioned for RADA - Unwisely, I chose Richard's big "Now is the winter..." speech as one of my pieces; my performance was a cliched copy of Laurence Olivier's portrayal - with all his menace, conviction and talent entirely absent. Afterwards, I was asked by the panel if I was sure I wanted to be an actor. The humiliation lingers in what's left of my soul to this very day. I'm exorcising demons, getting revenge and finding the comedy in the darkness - all in one.

  • What do you think it is about The Bard’s work that manages to speak to audiences 400 years after it was written?

I think it's still regularly produced for audiences because it's very safely out of copyright, so it's cheaper to put on and the risk of being sued is less. People will always claim to love a Shakespeare play because it's embarrassing to admit you understood about a quarter of it and wished you'd forked out the £1 for a cushion at the Globe.

  • Shakespeare character you most relate to and why…

Hmmm, tricky one. I guess a character who's like me: a bit bitter, misunderstood, power-crazed, manipulative, and funny-looking. Oh, hang on; that'd be a certain Richard, Duke of Gloucester...

The Culture Company perform The Travesty of Richard III in the back room of The Star Inn on July 16. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Bright Club

  • What is the Bright Club?

Described as ‘the thinking person’s comedy night’, Bright Club is an event that transforms academics into comedians with highly entertaining (and surprisingly educational) results.

  • How did it come about?

Bright Club was started by Steve Cross and Miriam Miller in 2009 at University College London. Surrey University have hosted Bright Club events for several years, but this is the first time Bright Club will be part of the 2018 Guildford Fringe.

  • What can we look forward to at The Fringe?

An eclectic mix of Surrey academics sharing the humour in their research, singing mathematical comedian Kyle Evans and Bright Club founder Dr Steve Cross holding the MC comedy reins.

  • Cool science fact…

The Moon is drifting away from the Earth by almost 4cm a year.

OR

111,111,111 squared is 12345678987654321

The Bright Club will be performing at the BBC Surrey Studios on July 18. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com/

Academix A Cappella

  • The world of A Cappella scene seems to be thriving at the moment, why do you think that is?

Singing is excellent for your health. It's a social activity that improves your breathing and posture and mental disposition. But so many organised singing activities are based on classical or church music. The contemporary a cappella music lets you sing the music you would listen to on the radio: pop, r&b, soul, blues andjazz. Contemporary a cappella grew up in American universities in the 90s, and these days you can hear schools and university groups singing a cappella arrangements of the songs trending on YouTube right now. At Academix we're old enough to have school-children and university students of our own. So you'll hear us sing more songs from the 70s through to the 90s, when we grew up. It will be songs you recognise, but with a fresh new twist.

  • What's the difference between what you sing and the Pitch Perfect movies?

The sound is very similar. We have a beatboxer doing vocal percussion, just like the Pitch Perfect movies. We use wireless microphones so we can dance while we're singing instead of standing in lines, like a choir. The microphones let us use effects like vocal loopers, giving us an extra voice for some songs. We're a close-knit bunch of friends who laugh a lot, like in the Pitch Perfect movies. One big difference: Pitch Perfect begins with one of the singers throwing up on stage. We haven't found a way of working that into the act yet. Last year we entered a competition that was judged by Deke Sharon, the music director for Pitch Perfect, who was also on the BBC's Pitch Battle show last summer. When he told us "A great set: you really shine", we were walking tall for the next month!

  • Have you ever pitch slapped someone?

No. Not so much as a mic drop. In fact, in the four years we've been together, we've never had a cross word. It sometimes gets a bit tense if no-one remembers to bring cake to rehearsal. That's as argumentative as we get!

  • What kind of music will you be performing?

songs will range from the 30s to the present day. Our repertoire covers the Andrews Sisters, The Beatles, Coldplay, and Electric Light Orchestra. You'll hear toe-tappers, pop ballads, current hits, scat, country, and folk. At one point, you'll hear 20 songs in 4 minutes!

  • This is your third time at The Fringe, what keeps you coming back for more?

We love a cappella - our previous Fringe gigs have been sell-outs. The Star Inn has an intimate atmosphere, like a club, and the audience always enjoys themselves! We like to take the opportunity to dress-up for Guildford too. Look out for new hats and shoes this year!

Academix A Capella will be performing in the back room of The Star Inn on July 27. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Danny Buckler

  • What got you in to magic/comedy?

It's a secret.

  • Russell Brand described you as a ‘Hancokian treasure’; is that a comparison you’re happy with?

I'm delighted with it! I get it a lot, except in America where I get Nathan Lane. It’s not conscious, my whole life is about becoming your authentic self, but I have no control over anyone’s perception of me and if that’s what they perceive... better that then "you know who you remind me of? Bernie Winters."

  • You’ve performed privately for Liam Gallagher, Bruce Willis and the Sultan of Brunei, what was that like?

Back in the day I started as a children’s entertainer - I loved it as I'd improvise the whole party and the kids loved it as they didn't feel patronised. Ah, the nineties when life was good. So, Liam and his then wife Patsy heard there was a children’s entertainer who wasn’t the usual and booked me for Patsy's oldest for a show. I was setting up in their living room and Liam walked in "alright mate. I've come to save me guitar." Blazing charisma he had, a proper force. There we were, the King of Brit Pop and The Children’s Choice on a blazing hot summers afternoon eating jelly and talking the showbiz. My career peaked early.

  • You’ve also performed for our troops in a variety of warzones, who’s easier to make laugh, civilian audiences or people with guns?

Crowds a crowd mate. I just see the people in front of me and try to deliver the best moments I can, what happens next... no control over. I can tell you standing on the back of a lorry making 150 lads laugh in a warzone was unbelievably humbling.

  • Favourite one-liner…

I don't do one liners, you appear to have the wrong bloke. Surreal card trick...?

Danny Buckler will be performing in the Bellerby Studio of G Live on July 27. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Majella Yorston

  • You’re a singer, musician, actor and teacher, what would you say you enjoy the most?

I am fortunate to enjoy a varied career in the performing arts but I would have to say music is my first love. Engaging with an audience when I’m singing and playing guitar is something I absolutely love.

  • What drives you to perform?

I come from a musical family so music is a major part of my life. I have been performing for a long time and the atmosphere and energy that live music creates is something I relish and will never tire of.

  • What would you say is the main message of your music?

I am drawn to songs with a clear story so my material often features themes like love and loss but overall I hope my music is uplifting and entertaining.

  • What would be your ideal role as an actor?

That is a tricky one! There are so many great parts. I do love the wit and strength of women in Noel Coward and Oscar Wilde plays so perhaps one of their classics. A part where you get to really create a character is always the most fun.

  • What else are you looking forward to seeing at The Fringe?

Oh my goodness! There’s so much to choose from this year. I think the mix of performing arts means there’s something for everyone. I certainly have my eye on some of the comedians and some of the new writing pieces too - Paul Kerensa’s premiere of his Christmas play sounds particularly intriguing!

Majella Yorston will be performing in The Keep Pub on July 29. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

The Creation Theatre Company

  • The Creation Theatre Company is part of the Guildford Amateur Theatre Association, what’s the amdram scene in Guildford like?

Lively, vibrant, welcoming  – lots of talent and lots of opportunities

  • What do you think makes the work of Alan Bennett so timeless?

A masterful observation of humanity, an understanding of character – people’s frailty – and of course, beautifully written – witty yet poignant – themes that are still relevant today, despite first being presented on television in 1988.

  • Why did you choose Her Big Chance and A Lady of Letters?

Her Big Chance – Lesley is an ambitious but gullible and naive actress whose her story can be viewed in relation to the current #MeToo movement.

A Lady of Letters – Irene Ruddock is an obsessive letter writer without friends or anything to do who believes she is a public guardian of morals but can be seen as really just nosing into others' business and drawing inaccurate conclusions, with hints of child neglect and racialism prejudices.

  • What will Jackie Morris and Jules Hall bring to Bennett’s work?

An exploration of the different facets of the characters of Lesley and Irene. The monologues will be presented with surround seating – Jackie and Jules will engage with the audience in an intimate space much more directly than if they were in a standard theatre layout.

  • What do you hope audiences will take away from this performance?

A poignant representation of two persons who, for all their belief in what they can offer, do not realise the impact they have on other people or how they can be misunderstood – and who are at root lonely.

The Creation Theatre Company perform Her Big Chance and A Lady of Letters at the Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground on July 5-6. For more information and to book tickets, visit:  guildfordfringefestival.com

Bacchae Theatre Company 

  • What made you want to perform a farce?

I came across the play and found it to be adorable! With a fast pace and great deal of humour. We thought it would be appreciated by a modern audience.

  • What can punters look forward to from Area Bella?

They can look forward to lots of mutton eating and in cupboard hiding and a knitted toy and other visual gimmicks with a few ballads thrown in for good measure!

  • It’s a pretty niche 19th century piece of theatre, how did you come across it?

I came across it when teaching Lamda acting students and having to find a Victorian era piece of theatre.

  • Do you think society’s sense of humour changed much since the 19th century?

Yes, I do think it has changes, but this is a sweet little innocent play with cute harmless comedy encounters and a lovely connection with the audience with direct address.

  • Bawdiest pun…

Actually, there are not too many!! ‘My mouth always waters when I see her spooning out the jam’. Take it as you think, but always funnier as a double entendres!

The Bacchae Theatre Company perform Area Bella in the back room of the Star Inn on July 2 as part of The Guildford Fringe Festival. For more information and to book tickets, visit:  guildfordfringefestival.com

Big Group Sing

  • What is the Big Group Sing?

Big Group Sing is a weekly group singing class for all abilities including both professional and amateur singers. Each week we start with a vocal warm up, breathing exercises and look at posture too. After almost a year many of our singers asked Peter and I if we could start to share and perform some of our material from our 2 hour weekly singing class. We always include lots of harmonies and musical dynamics all under the leadership of our brilliant pianist, Musical Director and vocal coach Peter Roberts.

  • How did it come about?

I trained as Actor in Musical Theatre. I had worked professionally but sadly like most actors fell into a 9-5 job. It was creatively frustrating and a rather dark period of my life. I realised I hadn’t sung properly for a while which for any singer is a worry. I spoke with our MD Peter Roberts, contacted some friends whom I know also love to sing and we started to sing together....it was SUCH a buzz and I soon started to feel alive again. Soon we had a group of around 30 singers both professional and amateur and an email list of around 70 singers meeting weekly. The great thing about BGS is that every week is individual and so you can drop in and out at your convenience....it does become tricky though when we have a Concert, so a certain level of dedication is also required.

  • What kind of songs will you be performing at The Fringe?

Well, everything, a real eclectic mix as we like appeal to everyone’s tastes. We’ll be singing a medley of songs from the film score “The Greatest Showman” which has been incredibly successful, a wonderful Stephen Sondheim Medley, some pop songs which have been adapted for a large group of voices decorated with lots of harmony. Many Musical Theatre numbers with some classic Andrew Lloyd Webber included which often appeals and some classical songs too. We have a wonderful gospel number...Oh, and some Jazz too!

  • What do you think it is about music that brings people together?

Music and singing make you feel good, it’s a huge natural endorphin rush. Being part of a group and singing in harmony makes you feel even better. At the Big Group Sing the word ‘Group’ is integral. We support one another and try to avoid those who are only interested in their own performance...it’s all good but just not what we’re about. Thankfully we don’t attract Ego’s as we work together as a team.

  • If you could choose any popstar/musician to join a Big Group Sing session, who would it be and why?

Could we have Kate Bush please? She’s an incredible performer, writer and a great musician too, an all-round creative genius who carries lots of humility which is key to singing with us. I don’t think she’s the type of person who would be pushing to the front and making it all about her. Kindness is key with Big Group Sing.

The Big Group Sing will be performing at The Harbour Hotel on July 20. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Apollo Theatre Company

  • How did Apollo Theatre Company come about?

I [Tim Astley] founded the company soon after graduating from the Guildford School of Acting and quickly fell in love with producing theatre. Since then we have produced over a dozen different productions and toured all over the country.

  • What made you want to put on a production about Kenneth Williams?

In 2015 I produced the 50th anniversary tour of the classic radio comedy, Round the Horne, in which Kenneth Williams starred. Colin Elmer played Kenneth in that production and in conversation after the show one night we discussed what a brilliant raconteur Williams was and how it would be fun to do a show that told his life and work in his own words. Three years later here we are with just that show.

  • Are you excited to see Colin Elmer reprise his role as the great comic?

Colin has the incredible ability to not just impersonate Kenneth Williams but to really become him. He totally transforms on stage, not just vocally, but physically too, and so many people have commented that watching the show it is as if the great man has been brought back to life. What better compliment could you ask for?

  • What does it mean to have work performed at The Fringe?

We were involved the first ever Guildford Fringe Festival several years ago and it has been fantastic to see it grow year on year. As a Guildford-based theatre company it is always exciting to perform in our hometown and we are hugely supportive of anything that gives more performance opportunities to a town with a rich and exciting theatre culture.

  • Favourite Kenneth Williams anecdote/witticism?

Kenneth had a huge collection of funny stories and was a particular lover of the rude retort, so much so that he compiled a book of them called Acid Drops. A favourite of mine is an exchange a friend of his overheard between two men in a gentlemen's club. The first said "I've just come from Evita." to which his companion replied, "Oh. You don't look very brown!".

The Apollo Theatre Company perform Kenneth Williams: Cult Figure in the back room of the Star Inn on July 3. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Perfectly Ordinary

  • What inspired you to write a musical about addiction and mental illness?

Both of our lives have been hugely impacted by struggles with mental illness, whether it being friends, family members our ourselves. We got onto the topic and realised that this can be said for most of the population, and yet it seems that it's still such a taboo subject. We're hoping to change that!

  • What was the creative process like?

It's our first time writing a musical, so it's been a lot of trial and error. We got together a first draft in a couple of months and then had a week-long workshop with some phenomenal actors at ArtsEd Drama School in London last August to find out what worked and what didn't. Since then we've been rewriting and moving things around. We are also conscious that whilst it's a very serious subject, we want our audience to enjoy themselves so finding the moments of comedy and more light-heartedness has been really interesting. It's an ever-changing show because every time we hear someone's personal story about Mental Health or Addiction, we are desperate to find a representation of it in the piece.

  • What do you hope your audience will take away from the show?

A sense of acceptance towards others going through a difficult time in their lives. And hopefully they will leave feeling like they want to (and should) talk about this kind of thing... And if we've done our jobs right then you may even leave with some of the songs stuck in your head!

  • Are you excited to be involved with The Fringe?

The work that Nick and Charlotte are doing is really incredible. Nurturing and supporting new and existing talent is so important at the moment, and we're so excited to be a part of it! The wealth of talent around Guildford has meant that we have been able to find a fantastic cast and crew for the show and we can't wait to see what we create by the time Perfectly Ordinary opens.

  • What does Guildford and GSA mean to you?

I (Matthew, Book & Lyrics) moved to Guildford a couple of years ago to begin my training at GSA. Since then the town really does feel like home and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to premiere this show here with a cast that includes other GSA students alongside West End professionals. Joe may not have the same emotional ties to Guildford as I do, but he is just as thrilled to be spending his Summer here with our beautiful team!

Perfectly Ordinary will be performed in the Bellerby Studio of G Live on July 24-25. For more information and to book tickets, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Godalming and Guildford Jazz Choirs

  • You’re joining forces to hit the streets of Guildford, how many jazz choir singers can we look forward to seeing?

50-70.

  • Which local charities are you raising money for and what work do they do for the local area?

The Meath Epilepsy Charity in Godalming.

  • What kind of music can we look forward to?

Jazz, pop, rock, gospel pretty much everything accompanied and a Capella!

  • How important do you think the Free Fringe is for introducing kids to the arts?

I think it’s one of the most important things to get kids to see live music and how beneficial it is for us, but not just kid’s adults too.

  • What do you love about Surrey?

What a lovely community spirit everyone has, that mixed with the singing and the opportunities to perform are second to none! We love Surrey!

The Guildford and Godalming Jazz Choirs will be performing in Guildford Town Centre on July 29 as part of the Free Fringe. For more information, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Surrey Fringe Chorus

  • How does one get in to A Cappella barbershop?

We are always keen to see new members. The best way is to come along to one of our rehearsals at Bellfields on a Tuesday evening. You can join in with the section which matches your voice - Tenor, Lead, Baritone or Bass - and see if you enjoy the singing as much as we do!

  • What songs will you be performing at the Guildford Fringe?

We have added a number of songs to our list over the last year, for example ‘Halleluia, I just love her so’ by Ray Charles, ‘Breaking up is hard to do’ by Neil Sedaka, ‘Feelin’ Groovy’ by Simon and Garfunkel and ‘There’s a meeting here tonight’, an old gospel song. We will feature these songs, plus a number of others from our repertoire.

  • How does it feel to be celebrating your 40th year of barbershop brilliance?

It’s great - any excuse for a celebration. Fortunately, some of our members weren’t born when the Club started, and others can’t remember that far back!

  • Favourite thing about Guildford?

The view down the High Street from the Guildhall, which is where we will be singing.

  • Who/what else are you looking forward to seeing at The Fringe?

The other street acts, Ukejam, Going South and The Dirty Carols.

The Surrey Fringe Chorus are performing outside the Guildhall as part of the Free Fringe on June 30. For more information, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

Yvonne Arnaud Art Exhibition

  • This is the 23rd summer exhibition from Guildford Arts, what has been the secret to the organisation’s longevity?

There has been a consistently excellent standard of art on display from both local and national artists, including diverse examples of art, curated by Guildford Arts for the people of Guildford right in the heart of the town.

  • What kind of work can the public look forward to seeing?

There will be paintings in a wide variety of media, prints, photographs and sculpture including glass, wood carving and many other media. There should be something for everyone.

  • Who will be exhibiting?

Local artists of a suitably high standard and ones from further afield with a national reputation.

  • What kind of artistic history does Surrey have?

Surrey has always had a great interest in art in all its forms and has nurtured many famous artists in all media. Guildford Arts seeks to promote art in all its forms in the Guildford area.

  • Are the pieces on exhibit for sale?

Everything in the exhibition will be for sale and there will be a very wide range of prices.

Yvonne Arnaud Art 2018 will be at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on July 14-19 as part of The Free Fringe. For more information, visit: guildfordfringefestival.com

  • Check out our Theatre/Arts Section for more great local cultural news, reviews and interviews
  • You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on all our latest articles
  • Sign up to our Weekly Newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and stories
  • Looking to advertise your business in Surrey or SW London? Check out our 11 different lifestyle magazines with a combined monthly distribution of over 210,000 AB1 homes