TheatreguideLondon
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London's Fringe, like New York's Off-Broadway and Off Off-Broadway, ranges from established theatres that just happen to be in different parts of town from the West End, to scores of small companies and venues, many in pubs, showcasing new talent. Most have very short runs, so it is best to check with the theatres (Scroll down for links to some leading fringe theatres).
Here are some of the more interesting and longer-running things on the Fringe this month
BEAU JEST - Hackney Empire. Girl hires actor to play her boyfriend, with inevitable rom com results. To June 1
THE BIRD SANCTUARY - Rosemary Branch Theatre. Frank McGuinness play about Irish family. To May 18
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY - Lyric Hammersmith. 50th anniversary production of Pinter's first London play. To May 24
CASANOVA - Greenwich Playhouse. Musical of the great lover. To June 8
DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD - New Wimbledon Theatre. Family show based on Dahl book. To June 7
DE MONFORT - Orange Tree Theatre. 1798 drama of obsessive hatred. To May 31.
AN ELIGIBLE MAN - New End Theatre. Newly widowed man finds himself irresistable to women. To June 8
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD - Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Staging of Hardy novel. To May 17
HIDE AND SEEK - Blue Elephant Theatre. Physical theatre production. To May 17
THE LADY FROM THE SEA - Arcola Theatre. Lia Williams in Ibsen. To May 31
NATURAL SELECTION - Theatre 503. Comedy of bumbling tourists. To May 31
NEW BOY - Tabard Theatre. Drama of new kid in school. To May 17
NEWS REVUE - Canal Cafe Theatre. Constantly updated satirical cabaret. Ongoing
THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD - Arcola Theatre. Drama of Jack the Ripper. To May 24
POTTED POTTER - Riverside Studios. Comic take on the boy wizard. Reviewed in Edinburgh. To May 15
ROMEO AND JULIET - Jermyn Street Theatre. Small-scale Shakespeare. To May 17
TINDERBOX - Bush Theatre. Black comedy set in the near future. To May 24
TROJAN WHORES - Courtyard Theatre. Drama of identity and power. To May 25
And here are links to some of the more established fringe theatres:
Also:
BITE - Barbican and Pit Theatres. The Barbican plays host to a yearlong programme of visits by theatre, dance and performance art companies, many for only 3 or 4 performances.
OPEN AIR THEATRE, Regent's Park. 2008 season begins June 9: Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, children's version of Midsummer Night's Dream, the musical Gigi
OPERA HOLLAND PARK Outdoor performances June-August
SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE THEATRE. Season runs May-October, but there are tours and one-off events year-round..