Grassroots arts festival returning for fourth year

More than 5,000 people visited the Durham Fringe last year

A grassroots arts festival which has tripled in size since its launch will be back later this month.

Durham Fringe started in 2021 with 30 shows, but will host more than 90 between 24 July and 28 July this year.

Director and co-founder Stephen Cronin said it was hoped the festival would give "some life" to the city in the middle of the summer when students are not around.

The event also aims to provide a platform to new performers, with some shows heading to Edinburgh Fringe.

"Our intention was, when the town is a bit quieter, can we give people a really good reason to come to Durham and have a really exciting day, or night out," Mr Cronin said.

"The Fringe isn't just about the very rare thing that skyrockets, it's also about just community."

Stephen Cronin said organisers had wanted to create something "exciting and energising"

Shannon Hill, who graduated from Durham University this year, will be showcasing her production Technically: A Musical over three nights.

The show shines a light on people who work behind the scenes in theatre and she created it with her partner Jacob Marshall.

It is also going to Edinburgh in August, which she said was a "huge step".

"We are both technicians, so it started as a little joke of 'Oh, could you imagine if we were on stage, could you imagine if the audience could see what we are doing right now', because behind the scenes is so chaotic," she said.

Shannon Hill, Jacob Marshall, Luke Mallon and Faith Gorton wrote the musical

The 22-year-old from Blyth said she did not think they "would've ever taken the chance" without the support from Durham Fringe.

"Durham Fringe is just so accessible, for new artists giving something a go, for smaller shows, for things that might not stereotypically sell well, but that are still important and need to be seen," she said.

"Just taking a chance on people's ideas."

More than 5,250 people attended the festival last year and Mr Cronin, who is originally from Sunderland, said he hoped the event would continue to grow.

"We have been told a number of times we are a friendly fringe," he said.

"I don't think we would ever compete with Edinburgh or Brighton. Our intent is to do something very sweet, very exciting, energising, different that people can enjoy."