£10 Challenge: Afflecks Fringe Festival

Hannah Hulme

This weekend will kick off the much anticipated Afflecks Fringe Festival, and what better way to spend £10 than catching some of the fantastic acts featured in the packed line-up.

Afflecks Palace and The 3 Minute Theatre (3MT) have teamed up to create a fortnight long festival brimming with local talent, showcasing their musical, theatrical, comedic, poetic and artistic skills.

The line up is so packed with weird and wonderful acts it could be tough to stick to the £10 limit, so here is a breakdown of our five festival favourites and we’ll let you pic 'n’ mix the ones you like the sound of:

1) The 3MT Show featuring 3MT In-house Cast, Square Peg and Sketchy Theatre

The Frog & Bucket, Sunday, April 1, 8:00 PM (7:00 PM doors)

To kick off the festival, the 3MT Venue will showcase the very best of their variety acts. With comedy from host Zoe Iqbal, the 3MT In-house cast and Sketchy Theatre.

Opening night will mix things up with a burlesque show from Cherie Bebe, physical theatre from Square Peg and acoustic soulful music with Elmo (no, not the Muppet, sorry.)

Tickets from £6

2) Music, Art & Theatre

The 3MT, Wednesday, April 4, 8:00 PM (7:00 PM doors)

New kid on the block, Urban Art, has a unique formula of taking graffiti from the street and putting civility into it. How about giving your guitar a new face? Head to the afternoon workshop and find out how.

There will be performances from physical theatre company Square peg, folksy singer Chloe Jones, and Alex Chow will also perform his unique guitar style.

Nicola Jeanna will also make her debut performance with her one woman show.

Tickets from £5

3) Bands at Gullivers featuring Mohawk Radio, Sam Haine & The Bloodflames  and Urban Empire

The 3MT, Wednesday, April 4 8:00 PM (7:00 AM doors)

Calling all music fans! This is the night to catch some excellent musical acts at the festival.

Sam Haine and the Bloodflames are the 3MT Venue resident band but on Wednesday evening they’ll be entertaining punters at Gullivers along with Urban Empire and a set from Mohawk Radio.

Tickets from £5

4) Afternoon attractions. Featuring James' film workshop, Legacie Music, The Bards, Beth Roberts and Alex Chow

Afflecks Palace and The 3MT Saturday, April 7 8:00 PM (1:00 PM doors)

Ever wanted to run away to the circus? So have we. So why not live vicariously through The Bards and watch their magic and circus skills display? The show also features storytelling accompanied by unusual instruments.

James will teach you the tips of good filming in the afternoon workshop and Legacie will show you how to record your music in 3MT, while Alex and Beth provide you with a smooth music show.

Tickets from £5

5) Poets, Actors and Rappers. Featuring performances from Nicola Jeanne, Square Peg, David Nathaniel Loy & Terry Morrison, David Keel, Moxy Casimir

The 3MT, Monday, April 2 8:00 PM (7:00 PM doors)
If you’re a rap fan, Monday at the festival might be for you! An evening of poetry and acting from 3MT and rap performance. A hubub of creative talent that you’ll have to see to believe, there's something for everyone on Monday evening.

Tickets from £5

There are loads more festival events online, so for tickets and more information, visit:

http://www.threeminutetheatre.co.uk/#!afflecks-fringe-festival-2012