The Fringe Files are a friendly collective non-profit making theatre touring company based in the West of England. Each year, we pull together a group of talented creative people and roll out a brand new stage play at a major arts event, such as a fringe or a drama festival. During the build up, we tour the production in a series of preview shows, aiming to provide individuals with an opportunity to perform at some of the worlds leading theatrical events.
The Fringe Files are considered to be one of the leading theatre companies in the West of England. They are loosely affiliated to a handful of amateur dramatic groups in the region. Formed in December 2010 by British Playwright Michael Starr, The Fringe Files was initially set-up to act as a test vehicle for new play scripts exclusively. Over time, the company have expanded into other areas, such as audio pod-casting.
The majority of our members are from the West of England (Somerset / Dorset / Bristol / Bath). Our rehearsal space is hosted in the Somerset town of Wincanton so provided you can find your way there once a week for rehearsals (usually held on a Sunday afternoon) you’re welcome to join us. Please be aware that we are currently operating as an amateur company. Our members are volunteers. What we offer is a platform to perform at high level competitive events, which ultimately will suit those looking to jump into an adventure on the amateur scene or those hoping to enhance their theatre resumes with some impressive credits.
We enjoy what we do. We never say “that’ll do!” We aim to always try something new. We hope to include fresh blood with each show. We are competitive. We love that each tour brings many tales of adventure. We operate in a flexible and professional manner at all times. We like to open ourselves up to professional critique. We are open minded and think outside the box. We learn. We are adaptable. We tackle each problem together. We like to give people an opportunity to try new things.
A Tail of Forklure (2014), UnderLINE (2013), The Cook Did It! (2012), The Curse of Miss Fortune (2011)
Backwell Playhouse (Bristol), Hen & Chickens Theatre Pub (London), Surgeons Hall (Edinburgh), Memorial Hall (Wincanton), Rhoda McGaw Theatre (Woking), The Drawbridge (Bristol), The Bear (Wincanton), Stanchester Academy (Stoke-sub-Hamdon), The Place (Taunton), The Underground Theatre (Eastbourne), Riverside Arts Centre (Sunbury) & Shaftesbury Arts Centre (Shaftesbury)
A Tail of Forklure received FOUR award nominations, winning two, at the 2014 Spelthorne and Runnymede Drama Festival. These were for – “Best comedy” (nominated), “The adjudicators choice” for Quintin Mitchell (won), “Best female actress” for Chantal Bargery (nominated) & “Best new play” (won). UnderLINE received FIVE award nominations at the 2013 Woking Drama Festival for – “Best Lighting” for Gordon Watson (nominated), “Best Sound” for Gordon Watson (nominated), “Best Direction” for Stuart Lyddon (nominated), “Technical Excellence” for Stuart Lyddon (nominated) & “Best Male Actor” for Quintin Mitchell (nominated). The Cook Did It! received THREE award nominations at the 2012 Woking Drama Festival for – “Best Lighting” for Gordon Watson (nominated), “Best Male Actor” for Michael Starr (nominated) & “Best New Stage Play” for Michael Starr (nominated).
The Fringe Files have a page on Facebook. We can also be found on Twitter.