Durham Fringe Festival runs from July 23rd- 27th 2025
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Durham Fringe is one of the UK’s youngest fringe festivals. “Durham Fringe Festival is a genuinely grassroots initiative. The festival was set up in 2021 by a group of friends, living and working in the North-East, who love Fringe Festivals and had a collective dream to grow a festival in their home city of Durham.”
The FringeReview Podcast Guide to Durham Fringe 2025.
FringeReview’s Paul Levy suggests the best ways to enjoy this human scale fringe festival.
In a catch up interview with Durham Fringe Festival director, Stephen Cronin, settled on a wall near venue 1 on Palace Green, Paul Levy hears how the Fringe is involving, its core values and what sets this fringe apart as unique.
Day Zero at the Fringe
FringeReview’s Paul Levy is out and about at Durham Fringe on the evening before it all starts in 2025 …
What to see at Durham Fringe
Paul Levy enjoys a typical day at Durham Fringe. Here on the 25th of July are his choices, which give an impression of the variety and quality on offer…
I want to see … at Durham Fringe
Our easy way to find shows to see.
I want to see…
… some Shakespeare. Then see The Taming of The Shrew
… some surrealist theatre, ” a brand-new odyssey fit for the Digital Age”. Then see Occupy
… puppetry and physical theatre. Then see Believers
… a haunting piece of theatre set in the Victorian age. Then see Whispers
… a game show. Then see The Witching Hour
… a dialogue play. Then see Aftertaste
… a beand new magic show from a sell-out performer. Then see Brooklyn’s Box Of Tricks. And for more solo magic, see Trickhead. For a comedy magic duo, catch Kane & Abel Magicians: Twin Feats
… an interactive comedy show based on Dungeons and Dragons. Then see It’s Your Role
We chat to Elliott Reeves-Giblin about It’s Your Role and the fun and engaging fringe experience with a difference…
… some live, acoustic music, an immersive journey into the art of fingerstyle guitar. Then see Maxim Yarushkin
… a drama that examines a family of ordinary people wrapped up in secrets and choices to be made. Then see The Last Hurrah
… a musical comedy improv troupe. Then see The Improvesarios
… and for some comedy improv, see Shellshock! Improv Live
We caught up with the cause of Shellshock! Improv Live in the following audio interview.
… some solo musical theatre that was a hit at Brighton Fringe 2025. Then see All These Pretty Things
… a spoken word celebration of the North East. Then see Gobby Lass.
… a clown show with a musical tinge. Then see Heading into Night: A Clown Ode on… [forgetting]
… Sherlock Holmes. Then see Sherlock Holmes the Last Act
… a Durham Fringe taster night. Then see Durham Fringe Showcase
… a dance showcase. Then see Dance City Presents works from Boundless & BA Students
… some solo comedy theatre inside someone’s brain ! Then see 3 Minutes Inside My Brain
… a comedy improv show. Then see Shellshock! Improv Live. Or see Spontaneous Wrecks
… some acrobatics. Then see Acroflex Acrobatic Academy
… some acclaimed standup comedy. Then see Phil Green: A Broken Man’s Guide to Fixing Others
… family-friendly physical comedy. Then see COUAC … Physical Comedy
… critically acclaimed comedy, one-liners and light-hearted jokes from Scottish Comedian Of The Year runner-up 2021 and UK Pun Championships Winner 2022. Then see Richard Pulsford: The Short Joke Teller Returns
… circus – all-ages show blends high-level acrobatics, juggling, aerial, theatre, clowning, & ensemble work. Then see INERTIA by Cirko Norda Youth Circus. And for some aerial circus, see Inguz
… a unique solo cabaret show, a one-woman science-political musical. Then see Atomic Cabaret
… a family show with fun facts, silly stories and plenty of magical mayhem for families to enjoy. Then see Who Stole My Hammer?
… a performance showcase, a dynamic mix of powerful monologues and show-stopping musical theatre numbers. Then see NCD: Class of 2025
… a musical revue in the late afternoon. Then see Ben Donaghy’s 22 Revue
And you can listen to our interview with Ben here, not only about his show at this year’s fringe but also he Edfringe show that was a hit at Durham Fringe 2024. Bed.
… a family-friendly show that gets the audience involved. Then see Mission to Mars
… a darkly comic play about recovery in the age of AI. Then see The Debrief (Editor’s note. It’s my show).
… a solo theatre piece in which the line between reality and illusion blurs. Then see Queen of the Quack
… a 50-minute play that explores how we find meaning when the world no longer thinks we’re relevant. Then see I Believe in One Bach
… some intense theatre about change. Then see There is a light & a whistle for attracting attention
… some kids’ comedy, an action-packed adventure with funny skits, games, world record attempts and the usual pie facing madness. Then see Jeddy Bear & Gary Save The World
… a comedy detective mystery show. Then see Leslie Bloom Solves A Murder
… an afternoon panto show. Then see Seven Stories Showcase
… a balloon show, a hit at other Fringe Festivals. Then see The Giant Balloon Show
… sketch comedy. Then see The Durham Revue: Sketch Marks the Spot. And for more comedy whodunnit fun, see Who Killed t’Duke
… some alternative comedy, then see Silly Billies Comedy
… some solo comedy that peels back the layers of what it means to be a not-so-stereotypical gay man. Then see Cal Halbert – Rotten Fruit
… live poetry, a journey through the weird and wonderful places poetry comes from and leads to. Then see Finding Poetry. And for some more poetry, see Freud, Erikson & me
Listen to our interview with Andy Gilbert about Freud, Erikson & me
… solo standup comedy, an exploration of the topic of burnout and the challenges of balancing a busy lifestyle Then see Burnout
… some character comedy, popular at fringes around the UK, that parodies safety training. Then see Accident Avoidance Training for Cutlery Users: Advanced & Improvers
… a theatrical adaptation of a classic novel. Then see The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson, Adapted by Philip Harrison
… some live spoken word, an hour of clever rhymes, dubious metaphors and confronting themes. Then see Brogan Brannan
FringeReview Keyword Chaos
Back by popular demand, our Keyword Chaos is a creative way to explore the Durham Fringe programme. We suggest you go with your instinct.
We have wandered through the programme and pulled out unique and quirky phrases from the show blurbs.
Click on the phrase to discover a show, then perhaps get booking! We’ll be adding to the list so do keep checking…
and we are here to witness your god
she tiptoes between elegance and absurdity against the backdrop of European street life.
when he comes to collect an ageing Huddersfield Dominatrix, he finds he’s met his match
A dark comedy about anxiety, jazz, love and table tennis.
Get to know creatures like sea-centipedes and manticores, dogs with names like Havegoodday
No discernible narrative. No sad bits. Just fun.
how we can recall the contact of others and find ways to connect other than through the physical.
PREVIEW: Harun Musho’d: A History of the Last Conservative Government, In Their Own Stupid Words
Harun Musho’d returns with his fourth stand-up comedy show: A History of the Last Conservative Government, In Their Own Stupid Words. The format is simple. Harun reads from the memoirs of David Cameron, Theresa May, Liz Truss, Matt Hancock, Nadine Dorries and Boris Johnson. Then he fact checks them. That is the show.
He also calls it the worst idea he has ever had, because it meant actually reading those memoirs.
Harun Musho’d is a British stand-up comedian known for his sharp, political comedy and observational humour. With a background in both performance and writing, Musho’d’s material often touches on social issues, identity, and current events, delivered with a witty and thought-provoking style. He has performed at major comedy festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where his shows have received positive reviews for their intelligent content and comic timing. Harun’s routines frequently explore themes such as multiculturalism, religion, and the absurdities of modern life, blending satire with personal anecdotes to engage audiences across the UK comedy circuit.
Harun began stand-up in 2013 as a mature student at Royal Holloway while working as an HR manager in the House of Commons. He now performs regularly at clubs such as Glee, Mirth Control, Monkey Barrel and the Stand.
This sixty-minute show takes place at Fabio’s Bar, Durham, at 5.10pm on Saturday 26 July 2025. Tickets are £10.
Details here at: Durham Fringe.
Visit Harun’s web site here: https://www.harunmushod.com
PREVIEW: Singing into the Dark
Singing Into The Dark is a solo theatre performance written and performed by Bremner Duthie, presented as part of the 2025 Durham Fringe Festival. The story takes place in a ruined theatre. One performer returns to find the space empty. The rest of the company has been arrested. He takes to the stage alone, recreating their acts from memory in front of an audience that slowly gathers. Through voice, physical movement and fragments of song, he summons what was lost. The work reflects on themes of censorship, disappearance and the role of the artist in moments of political repression.
About the Performer
Bremner Duthie has a background in opera, cabaret and experimental theatre. He was born in New York, raised in Scotland and Canada, and trained in opera performance in Montreal. Early in his career he sang in punk bands before shifting toward contemporary music theatre. Over the last twenty years he has created a series of solo performances that blend song with storytelling, often drawing on historical events, memory and resistance. His productions have appeared across Europe and North America and are often made for flexible performance in both formal theatres and informal venues. Duthie’s work draws on repertoire including Kurt Weill, Edith Piaf and original material.
Details and booking here.
And below you can listen to our interview with Bremner as he arrived at the City Theatre for his tech rehearsal. Bremner discussions the show here at Durham Fringe.
Atomic Cabaret is a one-woman musical created and performed by Lynda Williams, also known as the Physics Chanteuse. The show blends musical performance, scientific context, and satirical commentary to examine the history and ongoing legacy of nuclear weapons. From the Trinity test to modern nuclear policy, Atomic Cabaret explores the complexities and risks surrounding nuclear arms. The cabaret marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, serving as a benefit for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Audiences can expect an evening balancing humor and critical reflection on a topic of global significance.
Show Listing
- Dates: July 23–25, 2025
- Time: 7:00pm nightly
- Venue: Gala Theatre Studio, Durham Fringe Festival
- Tickets: £10 Book here
Music Focus: Jessa Liversidge on A Tapestry of Song
Jessa is back with a new show at the Fringe, building on her love of Carole King and also added new spices to her successful song mix, including one from Sting! “An unmissable combination of songs old and new, from good friend of Durham Fringe Jessa Liversidge. Following her popular ‘a tapestry of life’ show in 2024, inspired by Carole King’s Tapestry album, Jessa returns with an unforgettable hour of song, featuring classic pop hits from the 60s to present day (think Annie Lennox meets Carole King with a hint of Adele and Taylor Swift!) and even original songs and arrangements, featuring Jessa’s trademark live looping, warm personality, and soaring vocals in her authentic and heartfelt style. Sing along or just sit back and enjoy.”
Book here
Down the Rabbit Hole at Durham Fringe 2025. In conversation with performers Jessica E Porter and Jill Glozier
Step into a world of wonder with “Down the Rabbit Hole” at this year’s Durham Fringe Festival. Returning for its second year, this interactive circus experience transforms the classic journey through Wonderland into a visually spellbinding and physically immersive event for all ages.
Produced by Sunderland-based Aria Art & Movement, the 60-minute show blends aerial artistry, movement, and enchanting design. Audience members are invited to join pre-show garden games, bubbles, dress-up activities, and enjoy aerial spiral tasters. Once the main event begins, you’ll be swept into a dynamic danceathon and interactive performances that make you not only a spectator but a participant in the adventure. (If you want!
Venue: (Venue 1, Stretch Tent, Palace Green, Durham Fringe Festival)
Dates & Times:
July 24, 2025 – 1:45pm
July 25, 2025 – 1:45pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: £10
Book here.
Paul Levy caught up with creator performers Greg Link _= and Gennie Joy from Merryweather Theatre.
The Blue Knot is an interactive folk musical staged at this year’s Durham Fringe Festival. Aimed at children aged 4 to 8 and their families, the production offers a 45 minute family-friendly show incorporating live music, movement, and participation. Two experienced actor-musicians drive the performance, drawing on their background as music educators. The story is influenced by sea shanties and centres on a sea captain’s efforts to feed his harbour community, with greed as a quiet undercurrent shaping the narrative. The show avoids spectacle, focusing on storytelling and audience connection through music and song.
More previews to come so check back regularly.
