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Reposted by Durham Free Fringe

Chris Neville-Smith @cns-theatre.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Taken me nearly two months to do this, but I've written a personal reflection on Durham Free Fringe, looking at how far we've come, where we can do better, and what happens next. chrisnevillesmith.info/wp/2026/09/2...

chrisnevillesmith.info

My personal reflection on Durham Free Fringe 2026 – Chris Neville-Smith's play writing site

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Reposted by Durham Free Fringe

ktarose.bsky.social @ktarose.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

@durhamfreefringe.bsky.social Just saw Aaron Wright at the Durham Free Fringe and he was brilliant! Completely bonkers poetry that pulls you right into his brain, backed by his own eccentric screen art. Fast, furious, touching, and hilarious—like a speedboat racing through his thoughts😳😂

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

TODAY! 5 P.M. Whether you're performer or punter, with our festival or another festival, come and MINGLE and hear about what's coming over the next five days? All welcome, free and unticketed. Want to showcase 5 minutes or so of your set? Just ask, either message us here, or turn up and ask.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

LUKE CALEY joins us with SPIRITUAL TRAVELLER IN THE GHETTO. A performance about educating people on the importance of helping the elderly and the most vulnerable in the ghetto, creating a peace movement worldview and creating a humanistic mind heart and soul. Friday, 4.00, Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Dan Husband presents WORDS ON A NORTHEAST STREET Andrew Mears has led a call for 100 poets from the NE to produce a book of 100 poems about homelessness. This has helped support homelessness charities all over the North East. 2nd August, throughout the day at Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

ANNIS RALLIS: singer-songwriter with Greek roots, with cinematic sound, theatrical emotion, and powerful storytelling. Debut singles featured on BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, she’s continued to build a reputation for music both intimate and true to herself. 5.45 Thursday, Market Tavern.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

BROGAN BRANNAN. Brogan is a spoken word poet and performer with salty rants, structured rhymes and no reservations. Her work often illuminates how deeply personal experiences are often universally felt and she doesn't shy away from the grisly details. Friday 5.20 and Sunday 8.00, Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

All day Saturday at Miners' Hall: THE I'M OKAY PROJECT. Mental health has never been more important. I’m OK is a series of photographs and words from North East photographer and storyteller, Richard Eyers and the people that he meets. The words are their own; what they have chosen to share.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

THE QUAY NOTES. A local trio - female singer, keyboard player and guitarist - playing popular cover songs, both old and new. Wed 7.40 and Sun 5.00, Holy GrAle

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

ORLA WEINKOVE. Sixteen year old guitarist and singer-songwriter Orla Weinkove performs a set of equally energetic and intricate originals. Inspired by alternative rock legends such as Radiohead, Orla’s songwriting provides an unfiltered look into the teenage experience. 6.30, Wed, Holy GrAle

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

JOHN BRINDLE: SONGS AND STORIES. John is a Durham based acoustic singer songwriter. Inspired by classic artists, he performs songs that entertain and inspire.....with a dash of humour. John teaches guitar and organises the talent at Old Durham Gardens in July. 5.45 p.m. Thu, Holy GrAle

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

And now, a magic act: LEDGE: PRINCIPLES OF THE MIND. What if the impossible was just a matter of belief? Join psychological entertainer Ledge as he demonstrates the hidden powers of YOUR mind through stunning mentalism. Prepare to question everything you think you know. Sat, 5.30, Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

KEITH FORD is responsible for: 6% of the musical talent in Mr Ford and Mr Gibbs; 11% of the beauty and brains in Mr Ford and Mrs Ford; 3% of the inherent hiphoprisy in Geordie Genes; However, he is entirely 100% responsible for any of the nonsense in his poetry. 8.35 Sun, Miners' Hall

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Straddling comedy and spoken word, it's TOM PRIESTLEY: PERFORMANCE POET Comedic poetry aimed at celebrating and criticising the poetry scene. Filled with observations of mundane every day life whilst satirising social habits. Think John Cooper Clarke meets George Carlin. 8.15 Sat, Miners' Hall

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

JIMMY AND JOHN'S SHARING PLATTER. Working on the sound principle that two is almost always better than one, Jimmy and John, aka Johnson and Pease, bring you half an hour each of their choicest cuts. Market Tavern, Wed 29th & Thu 30th, 8.00 p.m.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

ANNE-MARIE DRAYCOTT presents THE GOOD GIRL IS REVOLTING. A sharp, funny spoken word show about women taking up space and reclaiming their voice. Raised to keep the peace, Anne-Marie learned early that staying small meant staying safe - but at what cost? Sun 1at Aug, 6.00 p.m. Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

DAN HUSBAND PRESENTS from our Spoken Word lead. With two collections (HMVI & HMV II) published alongside a score of individual pieces in various publications, he pens poetry and prose with acid in the inkwell & compassion in the heart. Various times Fri - Sun, Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

JOHN HOBSON does FUNNY ONION A stand up comedy performance poetry show featuring poems about vegetables as well as poems about Rebecker the double decker, a useless football referee and a stovepipe hat. Saturday 1st Aug, 4.15 p.m., Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

LIAM OVEREND with DO POETS GET ENCORES? Forget the poems they taught you at school. Instead, let Liam share with you his heart-warming anecdotes and poetry inspired by real life events, from changing nappies, fighting with a cactus, and a bout of Bell's Palsy. 31st July, 3.15 p.m., Miners' Hall

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

THIS IS YOUR LIFE, adapted and performed by @cns-theatre.bsky.social - based on the book by @johnofarrell.bsky.social - has its second WIP outing. Prepare to hear the amazingly untrue story of comedy legend Jimmy Conway's rise to the top. Thu 30th July, 3.00 p.m., Market Tavern.

Someone struggle to hold the weight of a star,

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

PIP MCDONALD (aka The Notorious P.I.P aka Pip'n'Mix) brings us DOMESTICON - AN ANTIFRAGILE POETRY PLAY. An experimental solo spoken word & comedy performance unpacking lived (and dead) experience. Trigger warnings: grief, death and Tesco. Sat 7.15 & Sun 3.30, Miners' Hall

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

ERASMUS CROS AND AARON WRIGHT'S GUIDE TO LIFE Erasmus Croc is the world’s first poetry crocodile, alongside his young protégé, Aaron Wright. Together they present their guide through spoken word, poetry, low-tech props and bubbles. @aaronwright2.bsky.social Fri 7.10 & Sat 3.25, Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Returning after its free fringe debut: Ben Bradley's THE DURHAM IMPROV JAM. Your chance to come and play some improv games, or watch other performers take to the stage, in a relaxed and unscripted interactive show. Join us for an hour jam-packed full of laughs! Market Tavern, Fri 30th, 6.45 p.m.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

In the spoken word section, Georgia Goodson's TERRIBLE, BEAUTIFUL THINGS. Georgia builds a set around her latest publication, with bits and pieces thrown in from the previous, as well as some unpublished work. Big themes of grief, nature, loss, love. 6.30 Sat 1st, 6.50 Sun 2nd, Miners' Hall.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

You didn't think we'd forgotten this one, did you? Fresh from a tour of fringe venues in Birmingham, Brighton, Scarborough and Buxton, @cns-theatre.bsky.social's IT'S NOT CLUEDO finishes its run back home. 6.45, Wednesday 29th July, Market Tavern.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The Holy GrAle's Open Mic host ADAM KELLY is playing his new album on Sunday 2nd August, 8.15 p.m., to close the music programme of Durham Free Fringe.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The Helen Cooper Trio is playing at 8.00 on Thursday 30th July at Holy GrAle, with Helen Cooper doing an extra half-hour set the evening before, Wed 29th 8.45.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

DAN LYONS: OLD TIME COUNTRY MUSIC is playing at the Holy GrAle on 7.00 on Thursday 30th July, and again at 6.20 on Sunday 2nd August.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Already announced LEF DEBRIS but here's the announcement again. Sunday 2nd August, 7.20 p.m., Holy GrAle.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Right Blueskyers. Time for a big catch-up of what's coming up at Durham Free Fringe ...

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Durham Free Fringe's programme is now fully online. Come this way for both the web version and the download of the paper version. durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/whats-on/

durhamfreefringe.org.uk

What’s on - Durham Free Fringe

Or download, view and print the paper programme

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

All right Bluesky followers, sorry to have been slow with this account. We'll be catching up on here shortly with all the acts already posted on insta. In the meantime, you can see the programme here: durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/whats-on/

durhamfreefringe.org.uk

What’s on - Durham Free Fringe

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!These pages are almost complete, but are subject to a few last-minute changed. Please come back later to check if the things you want to see have moved.

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Reposted by Durham Free Fringe

Chris Neville-Smith @cns-theatre.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

NEW PLAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! I am bringing to @buxtonfringe.bsky.social and @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social an adaptation of @johnofarrell.bsky.social's wonderful novel This Is Your Life. Prepare for the amazingly untrue story of comedy legend Jimmy Conway. chrisnevillesmith.info/wp/2026/07/0...

A man struggling to carry the weight of a star.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

HELEN COOPER'S LOST NUMBERS Helen Cooper's appearance at the free-fringe in her one-woman-plus-band showcase of familiar and forgotten light and comedy jazz numbers. She’s hoping to take you on a sentimental journey which will make you sing and smile - with maybe just one or two little tears...

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Introducing THE QUAY NOTES. A local trio - female singer, keyboard player and guitarist - playing popular cover songs, both old and new.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

We're not quite done with announcements, we might have something else to tell you, but all the acts who applied to us will be going in the three venues we've revealed.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

🎉🎉🎉 EXCITING NEW VENUE ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉🎉🎉 We can FINALLY reveal that our third venue for Durham Free Fringe is the Miners' Hall, which will be our primary base for spoken word. More details in link. durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/2026/06/1...

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Right. We're ready to make a big announcement. Been in the works for two months whilst we hammer out details, but we're finally good to go.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Our second announced act: DAN LYONS: OLD TIME COUNTRY MUSIC An hour of traditional-style Country music. He’ll be performing a mixture of original songs and Country classics by artists such as Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. His style is primarily Folk Country and Country Blues.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

🎉🎉 NEW VENUE ANNOUNCEMENT!!! 🎉🎉 We are pleased to announce our second confirmed venue for Durham Free Fringe: the Market Tavern, running on Wednesday and Thursday. durhamfreefringe.org.uk/wp/2026/06/0...

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Reposted by Durham Free Fringe

Chris Neville-Smith @cns-theatre.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Durham Free Fringe fans, expect some good news very soon.

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Durham Free Fringe @durhamfreefringe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Our first act announcement! LEF' DEBRIS. A dynamic and powerful punk band that combines the elements of spoken word, electronic beats.

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Reposted by Durham Free Fringe

Chris Neville-Smith @cns-theatre.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

We've just confirmed our first act for Durham Free Fringe.

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