The growth in Wanstead Fringe events, particularly theatre, is spectacular, says director Jon Fentiman, who will be bringing Miss Julie (a play that was once banned in the UK) to a brand new Fringe stage
September in Wanstead means the arrival of the Wanstead Festival (15 September) and its bigger brother, the Wanstead Fringe, our very own three-week celebration of music, film, books, performance arts, magic, local history, creative workshops, food, drink and even pre-loved treasures! With opportunities to enjoy everything from comedy nights to opera, stargazing to a jumble trail, events are dotted around our cafes, sports clubs, churches and even the local library, showcasing many of the wonderful venues Wanstead has to offer.
The growth in the number of events being organised this year is quite spectacular, with professional theatre productions leading the way and boasting over 50 performances. For Wanstead Fringe 2024, actor and theatre practitioner Marissa Landy has curated 10 different productions from both her own and visiting companies, some fresh from success at the Edinburgh Fringe, whilst Fiona Gordon’s brilliant Wanstead Theatre Co will be bringing six site-specific performances of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads to City Place Coffee, the perfect venue.
As a director and producer for the East London Theatre Company, I am extremely excited to be bringing a production of the classic play Miss Julie to this year’s Fringe before it transfers to The Courtyard Theatre, Hoxton in October. Written by Strindberg in 1888, performances of Miss Julie were banned in the UK for half a century, only reaching British stages in 1939. For years, Miss Julie was considered just too provocative and inappropriate in its depiction of sexual desire and conflict between classes. Today, it is one of the most regularly performed plays in the UK and across Europe. Set in the servants’ kitchen on the estate of a Swedish aristocrat, the action centres around his errant daughter, Miss Julie, his lordship’s footman, Jean, and the house cook, Katrin. Although set at the end of the 19th century, like any classic play that survives the test of time, its themes – such as how we manage our desire for a better life whilst wrestling with the expectations of society and others – still resonate with a modern audience.
Running for seven nights, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the talents of three brilliant actors: Maria Naterstad (Miss Julie) and Lia Goresh (Katrin), both recent graduates of the internationally renowned East 15 Drama School, along with Chris Agha (Jean), who performs regularly at The Royal Opera House and prestigious off-West End venues.
Grab a ticket and you’ll not only experience an exciting, intimate performance – staged in the round – but also be amongst the first patrons of The Wanstead Curtain, a new performance space which Wanstead Fringe volunteers have been allowed to create in the hall of Wanstead Methodist Church. Hopefully, see you there!
For more information on Wanstead Fringe events, visit wnstd.com/fringe
