A performance festival with

something for all ages and tastes

Drama •Music •Comedy

and more…

Welcome to the Watford Fringe

Thursday 1st – Sunday 4th October 2020

As part of the spirit of #WatfordTogether, the Pump House is proud, with amazing help

from its brilliant community of volunteers, to find a way to reopen and continue the

Watford Fringe for all to enjoy live art again. Four years ago, the Pump House, the quirky

local theatre and hub for emerging talent, thought “Lets do a Watford Fringe!”. Four years

later it is going from strength to strength, and this year there will be over 50 acts in The

Pump House Theatre and Watford Museum.

The team have been working really hard to prepare a safe environment for all to

enjoy. Measures are in place to make sure this Festival is as safe as possible, including

fogging and UV light zapping! We have learned so much and safety will come first for this

Festival. We will have industrial strength cleaning of indoor facilities including anti-viral

soft furnishing treatments, specialised environmentally friendly UV space disinfectant

machines, hand sanitiser everywhere. We have been working with local and public health

authorities to ensure everything meets the latest guidelines.

We have extended the Festival to four days to help space out acts and allow for additional

safety. There will be small, socially distanced audiences, outside performance space

options with partial covering, but the exciting part is we will also be streaming most of the

performances … live! Therefore, if you are at home and still want to join in you can!

There are several award winning 5 star plays that could not perform this year at other

Fringes such as Edinburgh/Camden; comedians; music; musical theatre; poetry & the

spoken word; plays for the younger audience; magicians; choirs and much, much more.

We would like to thank our partners for their support for the Festival including Watford

Borough Council, Watford Museum, Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce and

the Arts Council.

The information in this guide is subject to change. We also have contingency plans to

cope with any last minute changes to government health advice. For the very latest

information and to book tickets go to: WatFringe.co.uk.

Further information available at office@pumphouse.info or on 01923 225671 – please

note, with very limited resources, this phone number is only staffed part time, so please

leave a message and someone will try any respond with a couple of working days. It

would help us if you can try the website or email to answer your question before trying

to call.

DRAMA

A Slice of Saturday Night

Set in a nightclub, young love, teenage dreams, fashion and music are the order of the day. Watch and cringe as ten teenagers navigate their way through the night under the experienced eye of the club’s owner. This Heather Brothers classic began its life in Brighton

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Thur 1st & Fri 2nd @6.15pm (70 mins) £9

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#txtshow “An experience unlike anything in live theater.” – DC Metro Theater Arts. The best show you’ll write all year, this completely immersive multiscreen performance features a script written anonymously in real-time by a live audience (on the internet). Created and performed by Brian Feldman, this live, interactive performance takes place exclusively online.

LIVE STREAMING Fri 2nd & Sat 3rd @7pm (45 mins) FREE

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Audacious Mr Astley Edinburgh Fringe 5 act, the audacious Sergeant-Major Philip Astley is saddling up to tell first-hand how he and his wife Patty founded the world's first modern circus. Written and performed by modern-day professional ringmaster Chris Barltrop, whose unique 'insider' view reveals the character of the 'father of the circus' as well as his story. Stubborn, cocksure, proud, jealous... Barltrop has met a few circus proprietors in his time, and Astley may well have been their archetype.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sat 3rd @10.30am & 8.15pm (45mins) Sun 4th @10.30am & 5.30pm (45mins) £11.50

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Vinyl Encore

Bruised egos and broke, two forgotten rock stars try and record the album that makes sense of their lives. This four star (Broadway Baby) critically-acclaimed comic drama featuring live music stars Paul Vitty and AW King as two naughty boys who still refuse to join the real world.

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sun 4th @2.45 (60 mins) £10/£8

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Rough Sleeper A homeless man is rough sleeping in the doorway of a closed down high street store. He tells the story of his rise from rags to riches, and his subsequent fall from grace into homelessness. A new play written in response to the homeless crisis, "Rough Sleeper" premiered in January 2020 to great acclaim. It highlights the brutal harshness of life on the streets in an affluent South-Eastern City. Contains some strong language and references to social issues relating to homelessness.

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @6.30pm (80 mins) Sun 4th @4.30pm (80 mins) £10/£8

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MCUsical: The Unofficial Parody Marvel Musical A hilarious brand new nerdy comedy show, which retells the last 10 years of your favourite superhero cinematic films through your favourite Broadway show tunes! This work-in-progress show comes from a highly reviewed, successful company. You'll love it 3000! BEST MUSICAL COMEDY AWARD NOMINEE - LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @2.30pm (75 mins) Sun 4th @12.30pm (75 mins) £7/£5

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Drama King A compelling, humorous and emotion-filled one-man show about one of the greatest actor-managers of the 19th Century, William Charles Macready. The story of Macready, the man to whom Charles Dickens dedicated 'Nicholas Nickleby', is one of the most remarkable ever to come out of the theatre.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sun 4th @1.45pm (80 mins) £9/£6

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Don’t Worry…Bee Happy

Join Beatrice Bee and her woodland friends in this lively, multi-sensory, interactive musical tale and learn about how we can all help save the busy little bees! This relaxed theatre show is suitable for all ages and welcomes a younger audience and those with additional sensory processing needs. Have an 'It's okay to be me' and ‘You can do it, too’ attitude? Then this is a show you will enjoy.

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @10.15 (60 mins) £6/£4

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Kabaret for Kids

The fun and thrill of cabaret, made especially for kids! Interactive, exciting and filled with fun. With hilarious comedy by John Oakes, rapping to your suggestions and messing around with the funniest comedy. Plus a flying visit from the fabulous Mary Poppins, singing and bringing her own brand of sugar. All held together by our resident hostess the gorgeous Gloria. Afternoons have never been such fun!

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @4.45pm (60 mins) £9/£6

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Cone Boy ConeBoy is a music, spoken-word and drama show from writer and musician Clive Parker-Sharp. Clive was at the forefront in the punk movement, with such bands as Spizz Energi and The Members, and a founder of 80's rockers Big Country. As an author he brings his second book alive, with collaborator, actor/singer Marshall Star in a funny, poignant and cutting take on the media from the 70's to now, via the lens of a boy made famous because of his appearance. A book event like no other!

PUMP HOUSE: CHARLES ROOM Sat 3rd & Sun 4th @7pm (70 mins) £8.50/£7.50

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Mr Dusty Rose’s Ghost Show

Turn off the lights, light a candle, and let us begin... What happens when you tell ghost stories in the dark? When you call out do you get a response? We have always been obsessed with these questions. Mister Dusty Rose whisks the audience away on an evening of history, mystery and the supernatural in this modern recreation of a Victorian Ghost Show.

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd & Sun 4th @10.15pm (60 mins) £20/£15

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The Show Must Go Online Herts Inclusive Theatre presents a short film, The Show Must Go Online, a fully inclusive production filmed by participants of all abilities and all ages during the Covid19 lockdown.

LIVE ONLINE STREAMING

Sat 3rd @1.34 pm (40 mins) FREE

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P.S Theatre Showcase P.S Theatre is proud to present a collection of work written and produced by its performers. Over the summer term, we worked together virtually to produce 6 original performances to show over Zoom. However, P.S Theatre are extremely excited to put that work back on stage where it belongs. From 'teen sitcom' drama to outer space experiences we have something for everyone. P.S Theatre's performers start at 4, all the way up to 16. Come and see the magic!

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sat 3rd @3pm (55 mins) £5/£4

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I want My Foreskin Back When your ancestry catches up with your Grindr prospects, sometimes the only way to reckon with the past is to have a sense of humour about it. I Want My Foreskin Back is an entertaining (and surprisingly informative) show that journeys through Jewish ritual, gay culture and the effect on men that inherit these delightful burdens in the present day. Joseph Winer is a theatre-maker from Hertfordshire. He is delighted to be presenting this work-in-progress show (that he probably won't invite his grandparents to).

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sun 4th @3.45pm (45 mins) £10/£8

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SafeHaven – a place to call home

The middle of nowhere. A building with no doors. 9 women and a Doctor. All the women are here for different reasons. Escape? Prison? A dream? Their new normal, their new home. SafeHaven looks at what happens when we expose characters to a new surrounding, will they form friendships or enemies. Will they reenter society or be locked away forever? A play about trust, friendship and adapting. This play was both devised and written during lockdown, now back in the studio we are adapting what we have created to fit in with ‘the new normal’ of performance.

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @4.45pm (40 mins) £5/£3

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Oedipus The King

Thebes is suffering. A disease is plaguing the land. The people of Thebes want help and demand answers but are caught between squabbling leaders of the community, who are full of their own self-importance and are blind to the truth. Despite being first performed over 2 millennia ago, Sophocles' Oedipus the King can still engage with contemporary audiences, probably never more so than right now!

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sun 4th @ 6.30pm (75 mins) £5/£4

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Paved with Gold and Ashes

New York City, 1911. Immigrants are arriving in floods from all over Europe and for many, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory is one of the most coveted places to work. Based on a true event, Paved with Gold and Ashes follows Rose, Ida, Rosaria, Lucia and Annie; five teenage factory workers, as they fight for their promise of the American dream. Threedumb Theatre was due to take 'Paved with Gold and Ashes' to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year and now have created a special 'Zoom Edition' for the 2020 Watford Fringe.

ONLINE SCREENING Thur - Sun 24 hour streaming throughout the Festival £FREE/donations

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How to Space TO BE CONFIRMED: SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS A young girl is obsessed with the night sky, with what lies beyond and longs to travel into the unknown. Will she defy the odds like her heroines - the astronauts Valentina Tereshkova and Mae Jemison and achieve her dreams? 'How To Space' is the 4th piece of theatre on film in Pursued By A Bear's 'Nothing On Earth: Shorts' series. The films are all written by St Albans based Anna Reynolds and are inspired by the world of her play ‘Nothing on Earth’. Using Zoom, the filming is under the creative leadership of Artistic Director Rosamunde Hutt, directed by Grant Watson, features actress Chanel Glasgow and was filmed under lock-down restrictions in her home of Trinidad and Tobago.

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SKANK Meet Kate. She’s a skank. Clementine Bogg-Hargroves "delivers a tour-de-force performance" (Number9) in SKANK, a comedy drama...but it’s also got some postmodern bits in it, so it's a bit clever you know, a bit like 'Fleabag' clever so if you like 'Fleabag' and are a fan of comedians like Luisa 'What would Beyoncé do?' Omielan, then 'SKANK' is 4 U.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Fri 2nd @9pm (55 mins)

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE

Sat 3rd & Sun 4th @8.30pm (55 mins) £10/£8

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Sam Carlyle: My Life and Other Jokes You may be asking "Who even is Sam Carlyle?", but after this cabaret you'll certainly know her name (along with many other intimate details). From dating disasters to toilet complications, Sam shares it all! So come on down for an intimate evening of mortifying stories. You are sure to leave comforted that these things happen to everyone or beaming away because at least these things haven't happened to you!

WATFORD MUSEUM Sat 3rd @7.45 (60 mins) £7/£5

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John Pendal: Monster Professional comedian John Pendal was born and raised in Watford. He brings his hit comedy show "Monster" to the Pump House, fresh from the 2019 Edinburgh Festival where it received four FIVE STAR reviews: "fabulous show" - Voice Magazine, "deeply moving" - The Wee Review, "indelible triumph" - Broadway Baby and "comedy masterpiece" - Feminist Fringe Reviews. “Monster” is a comedy show about sex and sexuality, which laughs in the face of shame and guilt. It's aimed at anyone struggling to feel good about themselves.

PUMP HOUSE COLNE RIVER ROOM Sun 4th @8.30PM (60 mins) £8/£6

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Tesco Sacked Me After 8 Days

Having sold out his debut stand-up comedy show in his hometown of Chester, actor and comedian Desmond Hinks heads to the Watford Fringe with his hilarious tales from the supermarket. Join Desmond for an evening of stand-up comedy and storytelling, as he takes you back to March at the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak, and regales you with tales from his temporary job at Tesco, which only lasted 8 days before being sacked for writing a comedy diary of his experiences on Facebook, which went viral and attracted over one million views in just one week.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Thurs 1st @6.30pm (60 mins) £12

THE TUDOR ARMS Fri 2nd @7.30pm (60 mins) £12

PUMP HOUSE: CHARLES ROOM Sat 3rd @3pm (60 mins) and Sun 4th @5pm (60 mins) £12

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MCUsical: The Unofficial Parody Marvel Musical A hilarious brand new nerdy comedy show, which retells the last 10 years of your favourite superhero cinematic films through your favourite Broadway show tunes! This work-in-progress show comes from a highly reviewed, successful company. ‘You'll love it!’ 3000 Best Musical Comedy Award Nominee – Leicester Comedy Festival

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @2.30pm (75 mins) Sun 4th @12.30pm (75 mins) £7/£5

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Pikkpikk

TO BE CONFIRMED: SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Pikkpikk, a street performer. We hope that Pikkpikk will bring his unique comedy mime act to the Watford Fringe this year. Please see the website for details of time and place!

VENUE: TBC Day/time: tbc

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Thought Reader Thought Leader

TO BE CONFIRMED: SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS With audience participation I'll walk you through a day in Las Vegas. This is a fun family show where the audience makes all the decisions yet the house always wins. I’ll show you how!

WATFORD MUSEUM Sun 4th @8pm (60 mins) £10/£5

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A Recital of Opera, Song and Musical Theatre

Local operatic baritone Thomas Isherwood performs a one hour recital with his duo partner Elspeth Wilkes, with music spanning the genres of opera, art song, folk song and musical theatre. Thomas began his musical training at the Watford School of Music aged 8 and now returns to his home town to perform as part of the Watford Fringe Festival.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Thurs 1st @8.15pm (60 mins) £14

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Watford Folk Club

Pete Nutkins, Lizzy Hardingham and Julian Mount present a superb hour of folk music, that is not to be missed! Pete's repertoire draws from both traditional and contemporary songs. Lizzy's pure voice twinned with her impressive songwriting skills meld together to create "beautifully delivered folk music". Julian's songs are thought-provoking, full of wit and highlights his quirky perspective on people, places and situations.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Fri 2nd @7pm (60 mins) £5

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A Country Way of Life

Country music evangelist Jonny Brick plays music from country legends in his show from the Edinburgh Fringe that explains the three types of country songs, why pop music has never stopped being influenced by 'hillbilly music' and why you definitely and absolutely should like both genres: country AND western.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sat 3rd @12pm (50 mins) £5

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Tom Seals: The Piano Man Conceived and performed by boogie-woogie and blues pianist and vocalist extraordinaire Tom Seals, who has travelled the world performing to thousands, attracting an astonishingly dedicated fan base along the way. His unmistakable vocals coupled with his remarkable talent on the keys, firmly places his stamp on the widely known and loved songs of the past. This show is humorous, thoroughly entertaining and will appeal to all. Toe-tapping guaranteed!

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sat 3rd @9.45pm (60 mins) £10/£8 Sun 4th @10.15pm (60 mins) £10/£8

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Songs with Andrea

Returning to the Watford Fringe for another year, Andrea is an experienced singer and actress from West London. If you have been lucky enough to see her as lead vocalist with her band, Jazz Mondays, you will know she is a performer who owns the stage! WatFringe is delighted to welcome her back.

WATFORD MUSEUM Sat 3rd @12pm (60 mins) £4/£3

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Bonnie Shepherd

Bonnie, a talented musician, is passionate about the music she performs. A voice of haunting beauty, accompanied by guitar, produces a sound that is both contemporary and timeless.

WATFORD MUSEUM Sat 3rd @4pm (30 mins) £5

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Electric Umbrella

TO BE CONFIRMED: SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS It’s all about the magic that happens when people with learning disabilities and professional musicians work shoulder to shoulder. It’s about discovering and showing who people really are. It’s about achieving incredible things together. It’s about adapted instruments, being absolutely person-centred, making extraordinary adjustments, and it being perfectly acceptable that sometimes it takes three people to play a cello! Join Electric Umbrella as they go online at this year’s WatFringe.

LIVE STREAMING Fri 2nd @4.30pm (60 mins) FREE (donations welcome)

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Big Mo’s Big Trio Big Mo's Big Trio brings a fresh approach to the piano trio combining traditional influences with modern greats. With compositions and arrangements that draw the performers and audience into a captivating and indescribable atmosphere, the trio is an unstoppable force in the new wave of jazz in the North, bringing the genre into a more accessible field. As an ensemble fabricated from close friendships, the band creates a genuine and thought-provoking sound through a combination of original compositions and tunes from the band's biggest influences.

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sun 4th @7pm (30 mins) £5/£3

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SPOKEN WORD & MAGIC

Fizz Kids Magic & Mayhem

TO BE CONFIRMED: SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Come and join the Magic and Mayhem with Kurtis from Fizz Kids. This show is suitable for both children and adults and will have everyone laughing and amazed. Come and watch some incredible visual magic that will leave you wondering "How did he do that?". This show is one not to be missed!

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @1pm (45 mins) Sun 4th @11am (45 mins) £10/£5

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The Ginger Magician

TO BE CONFIRMED: SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS The Ginger Magician is a comedy magic act that will contain lots of laughter, banter and of course MAGIC! You have seen Derren Brown.... You know of Tommy Cooper... Now, we have the Ginger Magician....

PUMP HOUSE THEATRE Sat 3rd @12pm (30 mins) Sun 4th @10am (30 mins) £10/£5

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In the secret garden of Frances Hodgson Burnett

A one-woman play underscored by live music on accordion and Celtic harp tells the compelling story of the Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden. A phenomenally successful and prolific author, she often featured in gossip columns around the world. Hear about her flamboyant lifestyle and enjoy excerpts from some of her more famous works.

WATFORD MUSEUM Sat 3rd & Sun 4th @2pm (45 mins) £8/£6

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The Mariner’s Song

Calling all adventurers! Navigating through personal history and ancient myth, prepare to brave the elements and embark upon a lyrical voyage through the ages. Will you answer the Mariner’s call?

★★★★ “wonderful storytelling” (edfringereview.com)

★★★★ “beautiful and hypnotic” (ThreeWeeks)

PUMP HOUSE: COLNE RIVER ROOM Sat 3rd @6.30pm (55 mins) £13/£10

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A Year On Inspirational talk with music. Musician and brain injury survivor, David Naylor, woke from a coma and did not know who he was or what his life had been like. He heard a song in his head and realised he had written it. He set about finding more of his past compositions… and found a reason to live…

PUMP HOUSE: CHARLES ROOM Sat 3rd @5pm (45 mins) £3/£2

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Women, Witches and the Wild Hunt Storytellers take you on amazing adventures, fight ferocious beasts, answer dangerous questions and bring you home with just a story. Take part in the night hunt, eat, drink and leave with payment in gold! Join Sarah Lloyd-Winder, an experienced, inspirational storyteller from Hertfordshire, as she revisits some ancient tales that may seem familiar, and weaves the magic of a story.

WATFORD MUSEUM Sat 3rd & Sun 4th@6pm (60 mins) £6/£5

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The Dream Speaks Back Three authors reveal all about writing a joint book. In an open Q&A session, Cy Henty, Sue Hampton and Leslie Tate will describe touring with Russell Brand, growing up as non-binary and the mental health issues that went into their three-way autobiography ‘The Dream Speaks Back’. On the way, our three authors will talk about developing the creative process and rediscovering the child within. A deeply comic, character-driven insight into the personal memories and dream-fictions of three creative individuals.

PUMP HOUSE: CHARLES ROOM Sun 4th @3pm (60 mins) £5

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