A Dumfries arts agency is set to take over Carlisle City Centre this Summer…
The Electric Theatre Workshop, in partnership with Carlisle City Council, will be behind this year’s Carlisle Fringe Festival, which will celebrate the historic city for eleven days this August, providing a vibrant urban extravaganza of outdoor performance, comedy and street theatre.
The unique event will return this year as a major international festival, combining the Carlisle Pageant, a Best of Carlisle market, an ancient Proclamation and a bustling international market alongside an action-packed programme of comedy, cabaret and family shows.
It will take over the city from the 18th to the 28th of August and will feature a heady mix of live entertainment at venues throughout the Carlisle.
Carlisle’s Old Fire Station, a local arts and entertainment venue, in particular will play host to more than 20 different shows, including performances from well-known comedians Eleanor Conway and Abi Roberts as well as a host of live music acts.
The Cumbrian city’s streets will be action-packed with a colourful street theatre programme set to run alongside the festival as well as a 1950’s-style street party celebration, which will see laden tables being spread throughout the city centre on Carlisle Pageant Day.
Cllr Anne Quilter, Portfolio holder for Culture, Heritage and Leisure for Carlisle City Council, said:
“We are incredibly proud to deliver an exciting festival of events and our hope is that with everyone behind it, the Carlisle Fringe can go on to become an integral part of the international festival calendar.”
Graham Main from Electric Theatre Workshop, Producer of Carlisle Fringe Festival, added:
“We have been dreaming up Carlisle Fringe for a good few years now and we are thrilled that so many partners have signed up to help realise the potential of this incredible city.
“Combining a number of events to form one amazing festival helps us to make the Carlisle Fringe event more compelling and we are excited about working together to make the city an event destination in the future.”
An unprecedented number of businesses have voiced interest in playing a part in the festival and the full programme, complete with acts and venues, is set to be announced in July.
Carlisle Fringe Festival is open to all and organisers are keen to involve as many businesses and people in the city as possible. Those interested in being involved with the festival can contact organisers on 01228 812611.
For more information please visit: www.carlislefringe.co.uk
