£5 Fringe interview
Bare Cheek’s Joseph Nixon interviews Bare Cheek’s Brian Mitchell, the man behind Brighton £5 Fringe
Haven’t we done this before?
“Indeed we have, but that was last year.”
Oh – and you’re doing it again this year, then?
“Yup – from 3 May till 3 June.”
And where can we see the shows?
“Well all over, really, but mainly in two glorious boozers – The Lord Nelson Inn, Trafalgar Street, and The Caxton Arms, North Gardens – both deep in the heart of town.”
And what about the shows that are being put on. Are they good?
“They are not. They are superlative. This year we have shows by some legendary old comics – Terry Garoghan, Tony Haase, & Andy Roberts Adam Acidophilus and Chris Lynam – as well as by the slightly newer but no less legendary Dave Mounfield. There’s improv from Chris Orr, and The Maydays’ Heather Urquhart; music from Shauna Parker, Angie Wilson, and The Brighton Beach Boys; art from Sam Hewitt; and theatre from Doug Devaney, Michael J. Flexer and Duncan Henderson. And of course there’s a piece by the prize-winning playwrights Mitchell and Nixon.”
Mitchell and Nixon. I say – that’s us, isn’t it?
“So I’m told.”
Aren’t they awfully clever?
“Yes – yes I believe they are. And don’t forget, there’s no deadline for enrolling, so new shows are being added to the rosta as we speak.”
And do all of these shows only cost £5 per ticket? That can’t be?
“You’re right – it can’t be. Some are charging even less – while some are actually free.”
And – forgive me, surely this must be a misprint, surely it can’t be true that it is only FIVE POUNDS to register and put on a show in the £5 Fringe?
“It is indeed true.”
Well, strike me pink! How come you can do it for so little?
“Because it doesn’t cost very much to do.”
I’m sorry Brian, just time for one more question – is it true the £5 Fringe won a Latest 7 Award last year?
“Yes – for innovation.”
So presumably you won’t be winning that again this year?
“No. Although that would be an innovation in itself, and possibly worth the judges’ consideration.”
What’s not showing at your local cinema – 19th–26th April:
TYPICALLY STRANGELY-BLAND SODERBERG FILM HE SWEARS WILL BE HIS LAST BUT WE’LL BELIEVE IT WHEN WE SEE IT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN (15)
2.00, 3.30, 6.00, 8.00
DANNY BOYLE FILM GIVEN AN EASY RIDE BY THE CRITICS ON ACCOUNT OF HIS OLYMPIC “TRIUMPH”, DESPITE HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME FLAWS AS HIS OTHER FILMS (12A)
12.00, 2.00, 8.00, 10.00
ODDLY-PLASTIC J.J. ABRAMS REINVENTION OF SOMETHING YOU USED TO LOVE (12A)
10.00, 2.00, 4.00, 6.00
SOMETHING AWFUL WITH JAMES MCAVOY IN (15)
12.00, 2.00, 4.00, 6.00, 8.00
Vicar round-up
WHAT THE VICARS OF THE BRIGHTON AND HOVE DIOCESE ARE UP TO
The Rev. Timothy Hopkins of St. Philip and All Saints Church, Hove has been hospitalised following an attack of colitis.
Rev. Alan Stevens of St. Matthew’s Church, Portslade, has redecorated his rectory sitting room.
Rev. Christopher Beacham of St. Harold’s Church, Hollingdean, is planning a sermon which makes reference to The Only Way Is Essex, in the belief that it is a new thing.
Rev. Malcolm Bresslaw of St. Simon’s Church, Aldrington, has been arrested for taking a packet of pre-cooked sasusage rolls and two packets of “Rowntree’s Randoms” from a Seven Dials store.
Rev. Kenneth Woodward of St. Jacob’s Church, Saltdean, is enviously listening to Richard Coles on Radio 4 and wondering why he can’t get a gig like that.
Rev. Algernon Kingsley of St. William’s Church, Hanover, is planning a sermon which makes reference to “gangnam style” in the belief that it is a new thing.
Rev. Cedric Cooper of St. Robert’s Church, Hollingbury, is on a diet.
Rev. Walter Maxwell of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Patcham, has bought a new coat from Marks and Sparks.
